The Audition

Despite its low-key, earnest tone, Susan Froemke's documentary "The Audition" is a fascinating look inside the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, at which, over the years, thousands of opera singers have competed for a cash prize, the chance to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, and, ultimately, the launching of their operatic career. Focusing on the 2007 competition—its round of auditions, classes, rehearsals—the film gives the audience a bird's-eye view of the drive, challenges, torment, and joy experienced by young opera singers as the field of competitors is pared down from 22 semifinalists to 11 finalists and the stakes grow exponentially. One singer talks about how losing focus means losing it all; another comments on the genuine camaraderie among the singers and simultaneously the savage rivalry; still another describes the feeling of utter nakedness on stage; while a fourth marvels at how a competition like this can define a career. Many great Met singers have come through the competition—including Renée Fleming, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson.

All the singers are exquisitely talented and each one a personality. The most striking are Alek Shrader, a 25-year-old tenor who has charismatic appeal on and off stage, who grapples with nine high Cs in an aria that made Pavarotti a star; and tenor Ryan Smith, a 30-year-old African-American who, unlike the others, has had very little formal training and is taking a final shot at a singing career. A study in good-humored determination and pragmatism, Smith says if he doesn't make it to the Grand Finals, he will return to school and earn a doctorate in something else. In the end, his story could be a tragic contemporary opera.

The film also includes comments by the exacting judges, who discuss the competitors openly, from a singer's weight to his age. One judge, for example, insists she is not biased against mature singers but admits her expectations for an older singer are greater and she's far more likely to forgive musical mistakes in a newbie. Another judge frets over the limited number of roles a particular singer may be cast in. While the film could benefit from tighter editing and some variety in the filmmaking, this documentary should have great resonance for all performers.


"The Audition" will be telecast on PBS's "Great Performances at the Met," Jan. 20, 9 p.m. EST (check local listings).


Genre: Documentary
Director: Susan Froemke