The young man took his seat in the structure where Roman spectators had watched gladiator performances and tournaments nearly 2,000 years before. However, events hosted inside the historical Arena di Verona had changed over the centuries. Eighteen-year-old Thorsteinn Arbjornsson had traveled to the Italian amphitheater to experience the classical art form for which he had developed a passion: opera.
At the age of 21, Arbjornsson has already traveled to Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Italy and now OU to study and perform as a singer. He was raised in Eskfjordur, Iceland, and began traveling at the age of 16.
The native Icelander said singing has always been a significant part of his life.
"I've always been singing," Arbjornsson said. "It's in my family. Everyone sings in a choir."
Arbjornsson will sing in his first University Choir performance at 8 tonight in Catlett Music Center (see box).
Arbjornsson said he was not the first person in his family to dream of a career in musical performance. When his grandfather was a young man, he received an offer to travel abroad as a singer. His grandfather was unable to accept the invitation, but his aspirations were not abandoned. Instead, Arbjornsson received his grandfather's inspiration and made it his goal to be a professional singer.
"It's like his dream, and he used it on me," Arbjornsson said. "I fell for it, and I thank God for it."
Arbjornsson began voice lessons and became a member of the Opera Studio of Iceland, a combination group of amateur and professional singers. He performed in four operas with the studio, including "Don Giovanni."
Eventually, Arbjornsson's voice teacher in Iceland, Keith Reed, encouraged him to further his studies in the United States. Reed recommended Arbjornsson to OU, where his college friend, Salvatore Champagne, serves as chairman of the voice faculty. Champagne assumed the position as Arbjornsson's voice teacher when the student arrived at OU.
"He is quite young for a tenor, but for his age his talent is quite developed," Champagne said of Arbjornsson. "Besides having good vocal talent, he is also smart, learns music quickly, he's good looking, and he moves well on stage."
Arbjornsson has been at OU for only three months, but he has already filled his schedule with classes, voice lessons and rehearsals for his position as a tenor in the University Choir. Steven Curtis, director of University Choir, said he has been impressed with the talent Arbjornsson has displayed thus far.
"[Arbjornsson] was selected for the University Choir because of his excellent voice and outstanding musicianship," Curtis said. "He has had a rich background and many wonderful musical experiences."
Arbjornsson said he enjoys choir, but he would like to be more focused on opera.
"I have a great passion for opera," he said. "I love that music and I love acting, singing and performing. I wake up thinking about music and I go to bed thinking about music. I just love it."
Arbjornsson said he will remain at OU for three years, until he graduates with a double major in vocal performance and business. He said he would like to continue his travels around the world while practicing his love for music.
"My next stop is not Iceland," Arbjornsson said. "I want to keep traveling and go to graduate school somewhere else."
Although Arbjornsson is uncertain which country he will visit after the United States, he is sure that wherever his journeys lead him, he will always have music in his life.
"What I love about music is that you can sing some pieces like 50 times and they're never the same. That's what makes it so exciting," Arbjornsson said. "I get tired, but at the next practice, I'm always ready to go again."
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