American Opera Auditions

The American Opera Auditions was a non-profit organization located in Cincinnati, Ohio, that organized an annual singing contest in both the United States and Italy from 1956 to 1990. The organization was founded by Cincinnati businessman and philanthropist John L. Magro.[1]

Winners of the American Opera Auditions from the United States were afforded the opportunity to study singing in Italy and make their professional European opera debuts at notable Italian opera houses. The Italian winners were afforded the opportunity to study singing in the United States and make their US debut with the Cincinnati Opera during its summer season. Notable winners of the competition include Sharon Azrieli, Gene Boucher,[2] Dominic Cossa,[3] James King, John Modinos, Elizabeth Fischer Monastero,[4] Karen Holvik, Sherrill Milnes,[5] Seymour Schwartzman,[6] George Shirley[7] and Carol Toscano.[8]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Wolfgang Saxon (April 25, 1998). "John L. Magro, 90, Patron of Arts". The New York Times.
2. ^ "Opera Auditions Lists Eight Winners". The New York Times. March 12, 1958.
3. ^ The New York Times, "4 American Opera Singers Have Debut in Milan" (September 21, 1962)
4. ^ "Four Opera Winners Will Study In Italy" (PDF). The New York Times. May 12, 1962. p. 15.
5. ^ "American Opera Projects". Cincinnati. June 1983. p. A17.
6. ^ Central Opera Service Bulletin. "Winners of Vocal Competitions" Archived 2012-03-14 at the Wayback Machine (May–June 1966)
7. ^ Naomi André, ed. (2012). Blackness in Opera. University of Illinois Press. p. 264\. ISBN 9780252093890.
8. ^ "Contralto Gets Award; New York Girl Wins $1,000 Marian Anderson Prize". The New York Times. October 13, 1960. Retrieved November 27, 2023.

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