The anxiety. The years of preparation, only for this one moment. The harrowing fear of stepping from the wings, onto a stage in front of the footlights, and motioning for the pianist to begin. The brain starts talking to itself: Poise! Poise! Cripes, look longingly! This is a longing aria! Okay, breathe. First line. Il tenero momento, premio di tanto amore . . . Such is the life of the aspirant opera star at the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, chronicled with gripping tension in the excellent documentary The Audition. As part of the coast-to-coast live simulcast opera phenomenon, the film is being presented with a live introduction by Renée Fleming—no stranger herself to debutante stress, having burst on the scene in the National Council Auditions in 1988—and a live panel discussion afterward with former winners. It screens Sunday, April 19, at the Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur (415.924.9111); and at Rialto Cinemas, 551 Summerfield Rd., Santa Rosa (707.525.4840). 12pm. $15.
.April 19: ‘The Audition’ at the Lark Theater and Rialto Cinemas
