Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions

Think of it as the ultimate American Idol. This Saturday at CCM, 30 singers will be vying for a spot in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Auditions, to be followed by winning a spot at the National level in New York at the Met -- the Mecca of American opera.

Richard Lauf, the Southern Ohio district director, thinks this year's district-level opera marathon may have a record number of contestants. The contenders, heavily represented by CCM, are from all over -- including that CCM opera arch-rival, Indiana University.

From "Porgi, amor" (Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro") to "O, du mein holder Abendstern" (Wagner's "Tannhauser"), you can expect at least six hours of nonstop opera arias.

The judges are sharpening their pencils as we speak: William Farlow, associate professor of music and opera director, University of Wisconsin; Andreas Melinat, artistic administrator of Lyric Opera of Chicago and Mark Oswald, a baritone of some renown and New York teacher. Donna Loewy is the official accompanist.

It's free and open to the public. It all begins at 10:30 a.m. in Robert J. Werner Recital Hall at CCM. The singing should end around 4:30 p.m., and then the judges' deliberations begin. Stay tuned!

Photo: Bronwen Forbay and Corey Crider in CCM's production of Don Giovanni, last year