Thaindian News

By Madhuri Dey
Jan 21, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The story of Alek Shrader was broadcast yesterday, Jan 20, in a documentary titled “The Audition.” The documentary was first filmed for the Metropolitan Opera. It was broadcast in PBS as a part of the series called the “Great Operatic Performances.” The documentary traces the life and the journey of the noted opera performer. The documentary was aired at 8 in the evening. The film had been directed by the award winning director, Susan Froemke. It runs the length of a regular feature film, and features three singers, Alek Shrader, Michael Fabiano and Ryan Smith.

Besides looking at the life and career of the operas singer, the documentary, “The Audition” also takes an insightful look into the backstage of the opera houses, documenting the rigors in the life of an opera singer. The film also looks at what it takes to make one’s mark in the intensely competitive world of the opera singers. The film is actually a chronicle of the annual National Council Auditions that take place at the venue of the Metropolitan Opera.

“The Audition” focuses on the hardcore competition that takes place every year at the National Council Auditions, and the exhilaration and disappointments of the participants as they try to make it into the world of the professional opera singers. The documentary takes a look at the three participants, Alek Shrader, who tries to achieve the almost impossible dream of singing at a very high pitch, Michael Fabian, who tries to come to terms with his own life, and Ryan Smith, who is the only one with some training in classical music.