The path to becoming a successful opera singer is a long one, so before you even start, ask yourself, do I really love singing? Do I enjoy being on stage so much I can't consider doing anything else? Can I work well on my own? Am I tough enough to survive weeks of unemployment followed by incredibly busy rehearsals that might run from 10am - 9pm at night? If your answer to all of these questions is a loud "YES!!", then you might have what it takes to be an opera singer., If it's "No", jump ship now, get a real job, and enjoy singing as a hobby.

Now the tough news. How good an opera singer you can be depends on your natural vocal set-up, that's how your vocal chords (or vocal folds) and larynx develop as you grow up . As your voice changes during puberty, (and this happens to both boys and girls by the way), the best child singers do not always end up with the best adult voices. Also, you can't 'choose' to be a soprano, or a tenor. Your natural voice set-up will determine this, and your voice may not fully mature until you are over 35 years old.

Now the really tough news! Opera companies across the world are notoriously short of money at present. In Italy, home of opera, over 50% of the opera houses have major funding difficulties. Most professional opera companies do not operate all year round, and many have cut back their touring schedules. Those who still hold open auditions often hear over 300 singers, and employ around 5. It's tough out there.

Still reading? Excellent, because if you start young, train hard and get as much experience as you can, you can radically improve your chances of success. There's no fast route to true operatic fame (despite what certain tv talent shows might claim), but the rewards could be an international career, performing with great artists in foreign countries, to audiences who adore opera. What can be better than that!

The first step to becoming an opera singer is to start young. Yes, we've all heard of singers who have come to the profession late in life, but they are very much the exception. Start by joining in as many musical activities as you can.

Sing in a choir, and learn the way conductors work. Act in local amateur productions and watch how the more experienced members use the stage. Take dance lessons (yes, really) to learn how to move well and not sound like a herd of elephants on stage. Learn the piano—this will make learning your opera scores so much easier.

Once you're aged 14 or over, take singing lessons, but don't sing opera yet! Sing classical songs that build your skills and technique gently.

Enter local music festivals and music competitions to get experience of performing in front of a critical audience - and to get used to the tactics of fellow competitors too. Listen to all the contestants sing and what the judge says—this is excellent preparation for auditions.

A good music college will give you the essential skills and training required to succeed in opera singing as a career. Good music colleges or music conservatoires offer you a wide curriculum including singing lessons, coaching sessions, language classes, movement classes, regular concert opportunities, song competitions, and the chance to audition for major productions. University Music degree courses offer similar opportunities, but always check the quality of the vocal faculty first, as this is key.

Make the most of your time at music college, by getting involved in everything you can. Talk to the instrumentalists, not just the singers, so when they want to perform a flute and voice duet, for example, you are their Number 1 choice! Make friends, too, with those studying accompaniment and composition - you'll be amazed how many times you'll call them after you leave college for new projects, etc.

If you're starting late as an opera singer, still try to study singing at post graduate level, for all the reasons above. It's a sad fact that there is more help for 'young singers' than older - most international singing competitions have an upper age limit of around 30, but you have the advantage that your voice is more settled naturally and you know a thing or two about life!

Your goal will be, no doubt, to perform with a major opera company in a lead role, and become as famous as Pavarotti or Renee Fleming. You'll go to auditions, convinced that you'll be snapped up immediately, and join a company, even in the opera chorus to begin with. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against you.The same applies to getting an agent; they will be extremely choosy, and even getting an agent is no guarantee of work.

Instead, seek to be employed as an opera singer any way you can. Look on the web for smaller opera companies that can give you the opportunity to perform, even if the money is pitiful. Get together with an accompanist (remember them from college?), and form a duo to sing at weddings or corporate functions. Put on a concert in aid of the local church/charity/hospice, and invite the press, so you might get a good review. Build a website, record demo tracks and put them online. Send your updated CV/Resume and the latest reviews and news to any opera company that is still auditioning about once every 6 months. Learn music in your 'downtime'; opera arias, opera ensembles, etc, and continue your singing lessons and coaching sessions. Go to operas, network like crazy afterwords, and keep in touch with friends from college who might just help you with information on auditions.

Here is a quick list of some great opera singers to listen to, and what makes them special:

Sopranos

• Renee Fleming: superb technique, beautiful tone, good actress.
• Joan Sutherland: astounding 'bel canto' coloratura, skips through notes with clarity and ease.
• Maria Callas: acclaimed as one of the best actresses in opera, not the best technique, but always thrilling to watch.

Mezzosopranos

• Agnes Baltsa: sparkling performer, rich voice without over-darkening, great in Rossini roles.
• Susan Graham: superb actress, lovely vocal technique, expert in 'pants' roles (playing a boy or a man).
• Kathleen Ferrier: great British alto / contralto, great singer of song.

Tenors

• Luciano Pavarotti: master of Italian opera, beautiful ringing tone, star!
• Juan Diego Florez: exceptional singer of 'bel canto' roles, fluid notes, great diction.
• Placido Domingo: started as a baritone, moved to tenor, superb musician in any role.

Baritones/Basses

• Bryn Terfel: Welsh baritone with wonderful warm sound, great actor.
• Thomas Allen: elegant singer, easy style, intelligent actor.
• Kurt Moll: one of the great opera bass singers, stunning sound.

For more information, visit these opera organizations:

• USA: http://www.operaamerica.org
• UK: the Opera and Music Theatre Forum http://www.omtf.org.uk
• Europe: http://www.opera-europa.org

For performances across the world, see: http://www.operabase.com

• For examples of major opera houses and other companies see;
• USA: Metropolitan Opera
• UK: Royal Opera House Covent Garden
• Europe: La Scala Milan, Italy
• Other: Opera Australia
• Hatstand Opera UK