Calling all opera singers: Aretha Franklin wants to hear from you.
The Queen of Soul says she wants to find the next Jessye Norman or Barbara Hendricks:
"Some of the older classical singers have retired and they’re not singing anymore, and I’d like to see some younger singers come along and take their place."
To facilitate that, she's calling all 18-40 year olds who are classically trained to send her their resume, headshot, and a demo CD or cassette. No original songs will be accepted, only covers:
"I’d like to hear them sing the classics, things like Nessun Dorma, Madama Butterfly," explains Franklin.
Interested candidates can mail their audition materials here:
Aretha Franklin
c/o Thav, Gross, Steinway & Bennett
30150 Telegraph Road
Bingham Farms, MI 48012
Franklin promises to listen to all of the entries until she finds the one or two voices she's looking for. She says she will then "assist them in getting established in the world of classical music," and sign them to her own label, Aretha's Records.
