Finalists Perform To Claim Title as the 2011 Opera Idol March 11, 2011

The competition is fierce as the finalists prepare to battle it out during their final performances for the title of 2011 Opera Idol. The final competition is slated for Friday, March 11, 2011, beginning at 7 PM, to crown the winner of 2011 Opera Idol at the North Shore. The competition will take place in the ballroom of the North Shore Retirement Hotel, located at 1611 Chicago Avenue in downtown Evanston, and will feature the top six contestants, between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. The final contest will be presented in a Master Class format, with the internationally renowned opera star Sherrill Milnes providing guidance and coaching for the aspiring opera singers who are competing for a $2,000+ scholarship and more. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so reservations are recommended.

The winner of Opera Idol receives a full ($2000+) scholarship with airfare to attend the nationally recognized two-week workshop directed by baritone Sherrill Milnes and the non-profit V.O.I.C.Experience, directed by Milnes and the non-profit V.O.I.C.Experience faculty. The workshop is an intensive three-week program of the V.O.I.C.Experience Foundation, held in August in Tampa, FL.

Milnes, a celebrated American baritone, founded the non-profit V.O.I.C.Experience organization in 2001 with Maria Zouves, its Executive Director. As the organization’s Artistic Director, Milnes works “to provide performance and study opportunities for young singers, while creating an outreach of opera and musical theater to the communities of the world.” This exceptional opportunity to work with Milnes, Zouves and other world-renowned coaches, theater and operatic personalities at V.O.I.C.Experience will provide the Opera Idol winner with coaching, lessons, master classes, outreach programs, and a special “Mission: Audition” project.

And, for the first time ever, Opera Idol at the North Shore 2011 will offer contestants who make it to the preliminary round a private coaching session with premiere accompanist, Mr. Alan Darling. In addition to accompanying contestants in the finals, Darling is on the staff of Lyric Opera’s Ryan Center for American Artists and serves on the faculty at Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music.

For further information or to attend this competition, please call the Opera Idol coordinator at the North Shore Retirement Hotel at 847.864.6400, ext. 622.