Objective: Research for this author’s dissertation entitled “Factors That Affect Career Trajectories of Professional Opera Singers Over Age 40” explored whether an age-related trend exists among professional opera singers making career transitions during prime earning years (ages 40–55), and whether that career transition may be attributable to any age-related factors in common.
Methods: In June 2024, this mixed-methods study drew a sample of 211 self-selected individuals ages 40–88 who were then, or at one time had been, professional opera singers. Data were collected through an extensive online Qualtrics survey, and a small sample of follow-up interviews with the researcher.
Results: Respondents’ quantitative and qualitative responses produced a rich database of original data on topics from age and path of career transition to age-related vocal change, medical or other interventions, and singers’ advice for the industry. Four hypotheses were formulated, two are highlighted here: Hypothesis 1, Professional singers age 40+ experience vocal change (weakening of vocal-fold tissue, stamina, vocal range, vocal power); these changes may affect those singers’ professional operatic career paths. Fifty-nine percent % of respondents noticed vocal changes over age 40. For some, not all, these changes were positive. Zero respondents felt their voices are considerably more breathy over age 40. In general, this survey’s respondents did not attribute changes in the trajectory of their professional opera career to vocal change. Hypothesis 4, Professional singers age 40+ (many considered expert-level singers) are making major career transitions during prime earning years, generally much earlier than national retirement age. Eighty-five percent of respondents have made career-trajectory shifts at some point, having changed careers by leaving professional opera. Forty-two percent of those career shifts happened between ages 35–40. Seventy-two percent of career changes were motivated by personal lifestyle—family, friendship connections, desire for regular income, and more stability. Seventy-eight percent of respondents are still earning singing income as freelancers. The largest number of respondents earning non-singing income are also freelancers (1099 income); for some respondents this is in addition to other sources of income.

Conclusions: There does appear to be an age-related career-change trend for professional opera singers, on average at age 39. Most career changes were motivated by personal lifestyle choices rather than vocal change.