Arias for a young soprano?

Question:Hi, I am a junior in high school and have decided that I want a career in opera. I am a soprano with a flexible voice and a sucky lower regiter. Right now I am a heavy lyric but I have coloratura-like high notes and great flexibility so my voice teacher thinks I'll develop into a dramatic coloratura someday. At the moment I can vocalize up to an F-sharp6 but it's weak. I am at a loss for good college audition arias for young singers. This year I did Batti Batti from Don Giovani and it was comfortable and well suited for my voice even though I know it's for lighter voices. Any aria idea's would be welcome. Also, do any of you know of colleges in and around Michigan with good opera programs? I am leaning toward Oberlin Conservatory because I am visually impaired and I know that they've already had blind students before. I aloso know that they are highly competitive and it would be wise to apply other plces. Thanks,
Ellie

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hi, I am a junior in high school and have decided that I want a career in opera. I am a soprano with a flexible voice and a sucky lower regiter. Right now I am a heavy lyric but I have coloratura-like high notes and great flexibility so my voice teacher thinks I'll develop into a dramatic coloratura someday. At the moment I can vocalize up to an F-sharp6 but it's weak. I am at a loss for good college audition arias for young singers. This year I did Batti Batti from Don Giovani and it was comfortable and well suited for my voice even though I know it's for lighter voices. Any aria idea's would be welcome. Also, do any of you know of colleges in and around Michigan with good opera programs? I am leaning toward Oberlin Conservatory because I am visually impaired and I know that they've already had blind students before. I aloso know that they are highly competitive and it would be wise to apply other plces. Thanks,
Ellie

Hi Ellie,
I am a voice teacher and teach many high-school age sopranos. I just stopped by and can't resist posting my 2 cents worth! It sounds like the light lyric repertoire would show off your voice best. First--remember that your voice has a LOT of growing to do. Don't push yourself to sing too big, too soon. The lighter Mozart rep (Batti Batti and it's companion Vedrai Carino, In Uomini from Cosi, etc) should suit you well. O Mio Babbino Caro is another. You might want to look at Rejoice Greatly from the Messiah. Monica's Waltz from the Medium may suit you as well. Your voice teacher should be able to guide you here.

As for good schools, University of Michigan has always had a wonderful program. Venturing a bit further away, Northwestern University in northern Illinois has a very strong, competitive program as well (I did my grad work there and the faculty is amazing.) Indiana has a strong program, but it is large and opportunities for undergrads to perform are more limited.

Hope this helps, best wishes and good luck!

i took lessons and i'm a soprano, some of the songs i sang were amarilli mia bella, se tu mami, all through the night, and i attempt from loves sickness to fly.

Hi! I'm a young soprano too (sophomore in high school). I wish I could help you with your question about schools; I'm looking for a good school too and I'm currently at a loss...
From what you've said, I think we have more or less the same voice type. Some of the arias that I like to sing are:
Tornami a Vaggegiar (from Alcina by Handel)
In Uomini (from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart)
Sorry, that's Cosi Fan Tutte, not the Marriage of Figaro
O Mio Babbino Caro (from Gianni Schicci by Puccini)
Quando Me'n Vo (from La Boheme by Puccini)
I like Batti Batti as well, but I used it so much last year that I don't think I'll be able to stand singing it for a while...
I hope at least some of these suggestions work for you; if I think of any others I'll make sure to come back and add them. Best of luck! :)