Versatility is hallmark of opera standout

“I looked for five arias that show my versatility” to offer to judges of the Feb. 13 Denver Lyric Opera Guild annual Competition for Colorado Singers, said first-place winner Sarah Cambidge when we inquired about competition processes.

DLOG, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, has members throughout the metro area, and in addition to supporting young singers, it hosts opera-focused luncheons at various area country clubs, that include a performance or lecture.

Cambidge, who received her bachlor’s and master’s degrees in music from the University of Denver, is currently guest artist in residence at the Denver School of the Arts, where she works with vocal majors in the music department. She also has private students and continues to study with Ken Cox at DU.

She sang “Song to the Moon” by Antonin Dvorak, in Czech, from “Russalka,” (“The Little Mermaid,”) to win the top place. Lyrics are by Czech poet Jaroslav Kvapic. Among her other selections were the soprano arias from Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” and from Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly.”

The preliminary competition drew 47 singers on Feb. 13 at Bethany Lutheran Church on East Hampden Avenue –; an all-day event. Prior to that, DLOG offered a Master Class on Feb. 6, with critiques to help those new to this sort of competition. (Some local singers also compete in Metropolitan Opera and other competitions.)

Participants were from Colorado universities as well as singers who have launched on careers. The top prize was $ 6,000 and all 10 finalists received a check in some amount.

Cambidge said she started singing at age 8 with a children’s choir in her hometown, Vancouver, Canada. “I had a big voice and the director suggested that I start voice lessons. I continued there until I came to DU and Ken Cox –; and feel fortunate to have only had two voice teachers.” Both have taught her to “protect her instrument,’ she said.

This summer, she will participate in San Francisco Opera’s prestigious Merola program, where she will understudy the lead role in “Cosi Fan Tutti” –; and enjoy time with her best friend who lives there. In the fall, she will return to Denver School of the Arts. During the year, she sings some benefit concerts as well.

Other winners were:

Second place: soprano Phoenix Gayles, a resident artist with Opera on Tap and a former Central City Artist, who has performed with Loveland Opera, Boulder Opera, New Century Opera, St. Petersburg Opera and Savannah Music Festival

Third place: mezzo-soprano Rebecca Robinson

Fourth place: mezzo-soprano Anna Englander

Fifth place: soprano Maggie Sczekan

Sixth place: baritone Matthew Peterson

Seventh place: tenor Humberto Borboa Beltran

Certificates of merit: soprano Neila Getz, tenor Christian Mark Gibbs and soprano Emily Morris.

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