I went to Europe in 1986 to audition for opera houses.
I had been living in New York, was poor, and had just worked the summer in Central City Colorado. Central City had been a great experience, singing a lead role on the main stage, but it wasn’t the highest paying contract (as is the case with most summer contracts in the USA).
I was working as a temp secretary to make ends meet in New York.
After singing for Herr Holeander in New York, I made plans to go to Europe. I realized I didn’t have the necessary funds. I asked a wonderful sponsor who had heard me in a summer program in the Ozarks, and he offered to pay my airfare.
The Sullivan Foundation (in New York) said they would repay my Eurail Pass IF I WAS OFFERED A CONTRACT.
I had 500 USD in my pocket to live and eat on in Europe for one month.
Of course 500 USD was totally unrealistic and I had to sleep in Youth Hostels, ride night trains, and eat a great deal of WURST.
I was lucky to only be in Europe 2.5 weeks, received a contract, and was back in the States, with 200 USD in my pocket. I was truly fortunate.
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