By ANTHONY TOMMASINI [NY Times, 26 February 2008]
The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions is a cumbersome name for one of the most high-visibility voice competition in America. Every year, typically, 1,500 young singers perform in regional auditions around the country. The field is winnowed in stages until roughly 25 semifinalists are sent to compete in New York. The finalists are then chosen to perform in a special afternoon concert with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.