Six Cincinnatians will sing their hearts out after becoming finalists in the first ever Cincinnati Opera Idol Competition.
One finalist is Margaret Russo. She is a soprano and a copywriter at Bridge Worldwide, a digital interactive marketing firm in downtown Cincinnati.
Russo's talent was discovered almost as an accident, according to the Cincinnati Opera Web site. When she was 6 years old she mocked her elementary school teacher's singing voice and, instead of punishment, her teacher taught her to sing a scale.
Russo, 25, studied voice while she was a student at Xavier University.
"For Cincinnati Opera to bring attention to a more classical style of singing, and to do it in a contemporary way through a fun competition, is a fabulous idea," Russo said in the Cincinnati Opera Web site. "I’m thrilled to be a part of it and hopeful that I can inspire others to share their talent."
The other finalists are:
The group of six was chosen from ten semifinalists. The semifinal contestants had beaten 160 other opera hopefuls in auditions held earlier in June, according to the Cincinnati Opera Web site.
The winner will be announced at the end of July at the conclusion of Cincinnati Opera’s Summer Festival performances of Carmen. The winner will receive a $3,500 contract with Cincinnati Opera.
Videos of the Top 5 finalists will be available for viewing online, and the public will choose the winner beginning on Monday, June 29 by voting at http://www.cincinnatiopera.org/operaidol.
To learn more about other finalists to go http://www.cincinnatiopera.org/operaidol.
Who do you think should win Cincinnati Opera Idol? Let us know in the comment section below.
