Would anyone be able to tell me how life as an opera performer would be? During

Question:

Would anyone be able to tell me how life as an opera performer would be? During and after college?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: it's not an easy one.

while i was in my first week of college (for my BMus) one of my professors gave us a list of how much time (hours of study/work per week/per year) it took to get certain degrees or diplomas. the top three?
1) an MD (including internship)
2) a Law degree (including articling and the bar)
3) a Bachelor of Music in Performance (any instrument, including voice and/or opera)

it surprised a lot of us, but once we were into our fourth years, and most of the class we started with had dropped out, we realized it really was the truth.

while in college or university, not only are you studying theory, history, sight reading, ear training, languages, analysis, arranging, conducting, and your major instrument, you also have your non-music requirements (they vary from school to school, but you can bet on at least two non-music classes each school year).
during this time you also have to take VERY good care of your body, as it is your instrument. each singer will come up with their own routine. some are more rigid than others, but they all involve some sort of healthy diet, exercise, lots of sleep, and (almost superstitious) practices of what will keep them from getting sick. there are always sacrifices made (missing homecoming parties, not going out every week, etc etc)

you will practice at least six days a week, every week, even if you are on vacation, or it's summer time. (i still choose hotels by the amenities: if they don't have the facilities for me to practice then i'll stay somewhere else)
this practice time is in addition to your study time and homework time. and you will spend many more hours translating and researching each and every song you sing.

once you have a degree your life will be essentially the same, you will practice, you will study, and you will maintain a "healthy voice" routine. but you will have to do a lot more leg work yourself.
you have to find a teacher and a coach (or collaborative pianist) yourself. and you'll have to be able to pay them.
you won't have university operas to sing in. you'll have to find the audition notices yourself and then audition.
you'll audition for lots and lots and lots of stuff. if you're lucky you'll get about 1 out of 5 parts.
you'll participate in "pay to sing" programs for the experience (as in you pay, you sing, you get experience).
you will discover that there is little money in "the arts", and you'll (most likely) make a living doing somthing else. but you'll still pursue a "career" as an opera singer.

and you'll love every minute of it.