Under Field's leadership, the Oberlin Opera Theater program is on the fast track as one of the best undergraduate training grounds for professional opera singers in the world. His years of professional experience in companies including San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago and Seattle Opera have given him a vision of producing students who are prepared for the demands of a professional singing career. With two sold-out opera seasons and rave reviews since he assumed the post of director in 1997, Field is taking Oberlin Opera Theater to a new level. Even so, Field has revolutionized Oberlin Opera Theater in many ways. I see it as a necessity because it helps students become more competitive for apprenticeship programs.
Most programs require singing experience in foreign languages.
The heaviest burden of the language training is in the coaching and musical preparation of the opera, and fortunately we have had good coaches. The French department has been very helpful, so I've been able to send people over to them for coaching as well. I also try help in the preparation. No one had any real problems picking up Italian. Everyone did very well, especially with all of the recitatives.