Men shouldn't sing Verdi in their thirties unless they are born with the Verdi sound, otherwise they get tired and wobbly. I once did 15 Otello s in Germany and that was great because it gave me a chance to get into the character until it became second nature. Onegin is new, but I want to keep doing that one. Once I am really into the Verdi, I probably won't go back to Rossini. For the last four years I've been getting into recitals.
Recitals are great because they are intimate and personal.
The first thing is to get your technique straight and get your voice on track. These days students start with repertoire before they are masters of their instrument. If you hesitate even a bit, you will get eaten. Also, you have to be confident and motivated. I sang with Roberto Alagna when he was unknown, but I knew he'd be a star because he had drive.