For close to sixty years now, the vast majority of North American singers have been trained in universities, while most European singers are the product of the conservatory system.Because of this, there still remain a great number of significant differences in the backgrounds and training of today’s professional singers.As a rule, European singers are so highly specialized that they are rarely knowledgeable about repertoire from other countries, even in their own vocal range (Fach).Almost without exception, German conservatories teach only Lieder and German opera – this is also true of the French repertoire taught in France and Italian repertoire in Italy.The UK does at least recognize other Western European repertoire; although, it is highly unlikely that one would hear North American music performed there.North American singers are indeed fortunate in that we are required to have considerable facility in all of the various styles and languages.This gives us an edge and provides us a huge advantage in today’s professional market place.We are often more musically eclectic in our tastes and certainly more versatile in our abilities.
