What classical songs are overdone in auditions?

Question:I am a mezzo-soprano auditioning for a master's in voice with an emphasis in opera. I need four songs in a range of syles and languages.

I'm thinking about:

!) Lullaby (Mother's Aria) from The Consul by Menotti
or "Ah, Michele, don't you know" from The Saint of Bleeker Street by Menotti

2) "O del mio amato ben" by Donaudy

3) "Pres des ramparts de Seville" from Bizet's Carmen

4) "Alto's Lament" - Zina Goldrich (an upbeat musical theatre type piece)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I am a mezzo-soprano auditioning for a master's in voice with an emphasis in opera. I need four songs in a range of syles and languages.

I'm thinking about:

!) Lullaby (Mother's Aria) from The Consul by Menotti
or "Ah, Michele, don't you know" from The Saint of Bleeker Street by Menotti

2) "O del mio amato ben" by Donaudy

3) "Pres des ramparts de Seville" from Bizet's Carmen

4) "Alto's Lament" - Zina Goldrich (an upbeat musical theatre type piece)

None of this sounds hackneyed to me, but none of it is terribly unusual either. If you wanted to give the impression of being alert, curious, and original (and if in fact you ARE that), you could do something more off-the-beaten path. But only one, because you also don't want to seem totally weird either. And of course whatever you do needs to show off your voice and musicianship to best advantage.

Overdone or not...you need something to show off your range and your abiilty. An auditioner isn't going to care if they've heard something before, they care at how well you do it.

I would personally prefer the Carmen solo, myself:)