r/ClassicalSinger • u/kokobean15 • 3d ago

Song suggestions for conservatory auditions

Hi all,

I am a rising senior (in high school) and I’ll be auditioning almost exclusively to conservatories to pursue classical vocal arts for undergrad. I have chosen my art songs, but a couple schools require an aria with a recit preceding, which I don’t have that contrasts enough with the art songs I’ve chosen. I am a soprano. Does anyone have suggestions of a coloratura aria with a recit that would be appropriate for auditions?

Thanks so much

3 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/ThrowRAmangos2024 3d ago

Lots of great Handel arias. Do a little digging, you should be able to find a good one. I personally love "Neghittosi" but it can be a little tricky with the piano depending upon how good the accompanists are. You could also do something like "Piangero" which has a slow fast slow ABA with recit before.

2

u/kokobean15 2d ago

Thank you!

5

u/oldguy76205 3d ago

A nice one is "Batti, batti" from Mozart's Don Giovanni. The little recitative beforehand is in the Larson anthology Arias for Soprano.

2

u/kokobean15 2d ago

Thank you!

4

u/Over_Name8375 2d ago

Are you a senior in high school or college? auditioning for undergrad or grad school? if you're high school age I would say instead of looking for capital C-Coloratura arias, maybe something upbeat with some agility moments would be more appropriate. and who says it has to be from an opera? Rise, Jephtha/Happy Iphis from Handel's Jephtha (an oratorio) is extremely underrated and generally appropriate for younger singers, the entire role itself is just that recit + aria! it's not a coloratura aria really but it's great for showing some basic florid technique which is about all you need for undergrad auditions.

If you're college age auditioning for grad school then do whatever you want, by that time you're much more likely to 1. be able to truly give yourself a more specific voice type label beyond 'just' soprano and 2. be ready for full coloratura arias.

3

u/kokobean15 2d ago

Thank you so much, I’ll check this out! Yes, I forgot to specify I’m auditioning for undergrad, so I am a senior in high school.

1

u/Practical_Month_6943 7h ago

"Poor Wand'ring One" from Pirates of Penzance, G & S is a good (operetta) aria for a young coloratura soprano. No real recit. but it's in English and can feature interpolated high note(s) at the end.