The Voice of American Opera

Midgette explores the definition of American opera as new works by American composers on American subjects; or as a general term for the business of producing and supporting opera in the US. She identifies one of the element of American opera: the American opera singer. Renowned for their good vocal training, flexibility, stage presence, and chameleon-like adaptability, American singers were already playing a prominent role on European stages. She points out that singers and composers have lost sight of their development of a voice, literal or figurative which American opera needs to find its voice again.