No waif, this broad-shouldered soprano from Los Angeles. As Angela Meade stepped onstage, draped in black fur, to sing the magnificent aria Casta Diva from "Norma", she must have realized that the audience would automatically compare her to Jane Eaglen, or to Christine Goerke, whose Norma electrified Seattle two seasons ago.
A most favorable comparison, it turned out to be. The 27-year-old singer was honored with bravas from the house and a shared first-place finish from the judges in the Metropolitan Opera's northwest regional auditions held yesterday at Meany Hall.
Sharing first place was a 27-year-old baritone from Denver, Jordan Shanahan, whose effortless style and lyric power called to mind great Welsh singers like Bryn Terfel.
The winners collect $5,000 apiece and move on to the semi-finals in New York City next March. Good luck!
Posted by Ronald Holden at December 6, 2004 1:58 PM