The Essay - A Passion for Opera - Michael Chance

Counter Tenor Michael Chance is one of Britain's great opera stars. But it's an unofficial title that has come at a cost. While Germany is full of opera houses with permanent ensembles where singers can get to know each other and work together on a series of different productions, Michael is a permanent guest. He's had to get used to living out of a suitcase, settling in to a lodging house or hotel room for a month and bonding with a new cast, a new director and new conductor, only to be off and away the moment the production is up and running. These are the confessions of the long distance opera singer. The benefits have been a chance to see the world's stages and work with some of the greats. The down-side is that the whole business of teamwork, of developing together, of celebrating together is very limited. And of course there's the family. The pull between work and home is constant and doesn't get any easier over time.