Dr. Jeffrey Snider, Chair of Vocal Studies at the University of North Texas, sang the title role in the oratorio Elijah May 9, 1999, to considerable acclaim. He recently was interviewed by John Andrews.

Q: How did you prepare for singing the title role in Elijah?

A: This is the fifth time I have sung Elijah. The first was in 1983. By now I almost have it memorized. The first time I sang it I prepared with my voice teacher, both the singing and the understanding of the emotions to be conveyed. I also learned during the performance about the need to focus on pacing so that this long evening of singing will end as energetically as it begins. For this performance I spent some time with Hal Gibbons talking about the interpretation of the whole work, that is, the overall style to be used in the work. We also discussed pronunciation and the tempi of the various arias, recitatives and duets that I was to sing.

From a physical standpoint, for a couple of weeks prior to the performance, I concentrate on eating right and getting enough sleep. Many singers have an exercise regimen that includes aerobic exercises such as running, but somehow with the demands of teaching and performing, I have found it difficult to develop a regular routine.

Q: Which do you prefer, teaching or performing?

A: When I started out, I intended to make a career as a performer after I had gotten my first two degrees at Indiana University. At first I was a singer, who taught some. Now I think of myself as both a singer and a teacher and there could come a time in a few years where I will think of myself as a teacher who sings.

For me, teaching vocal literature is a big deal. In addition to teaching at UNT, I also get inquiries from all over the world asking about vocal literature and its history. Just last week I received an e-mail from an author who needed some technical details for a novel about an opera singer. Of course I also love teaching vocal aspects of singing.

Q: Who are your favorite singers?

A: In the baritones I prefer Americans, and in historical sequence they are Leonard Warren and Lawrence Tibbett, Robert Merrill and Sherrill Milnes. My favorite tenors include Luciano Pavarotti, particularly in his younger years. He had such a wonderful ring to his voice and a great ease to his high notes. Jussi Björling, the great Swedish tenor, was one of the great singers who sang with class and skill. Franco Correlli did not have the refinement of Björling but was very exciting, singing with great passion.

Q: Do you prefer performing in operas or oratorios?

A: Opera is very time and energy consuming. In an opera you have to deal with staging and acting as well as singing, and you have to maintain the intensity of the performance from beginning to end. In oratorio singing, you can relax while you are not singing. Preparing for an opera requires memorizing your part as well as rehearsing all of the staging and acting portions of the opera.

Elijah has been presented as an opera, but I have never done it that way. Elijah presents the best of both worlds in that, as an oratorio, Elijah is "opera-like" in its story and drama, but doesn’t have the stage and costume requirements of opera.