PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
options
 
Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Queen of Soul seeks operatic talent
Aretha Franklin and Condoleezza Rice at the Mann Center in 2010.

Aretha Franklin, whose pop eye has wandered over to opera from time to time, says she wants to find and develop a budding opera star.

Franklin tells NPR that she will sign the singer, or singers, to her record label and give other career assistance. The pop singer doesn't specify exactly what she's listening or looking for in emerging talent between the ages of 18 and 40, but tells NPR:

"Some of the older classical singers like Jessye Norman, Leontyne [Price] and Barbara Hendricks are retiring, they're not singing anymore, and I'd like to see some younger singers come along and take their place." (Actually, Price retired from the opera stage in 1985.)

A resume, head shot and a demo recording are all applicants need send.

The address: Aretha's Records, c/o Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett, 30150 Telegraph Road, Bingham Farms, MI 48012.
Posted by Peter Dobrin @ 10:22 AM  Permalink | Post a comment
Comments   


0 comments
About Peter Dobrin

Peter Dobrin is a classical music critic and culture writer for The Inquirer. Since 1989, he has written music reviews, features, news and commentary for the paper, covering such topics as expansions for the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Curtis Institute of Music, the Philadelphia Orchestra's 64-day strike in 1996, the emergence of a new performing arts center in Philadelphia, changes in the classical-recording industry and the general health of arts and culture.

Dobrin was a French horn player. He earned an undergraduate degree in performance from the University of Miami, and received a master's degree in music criticism from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Elliott Galkin. He has no time to practice today.

Advertise Here