I’d like to thank the blog at  http://auditioningforcollege.wordpress.com/vocal-performance/what-does-an-operatic-career-look-like/#comment-321   for putting up a very interesting article, putting together all the costs and a realistic timeline of what happens for a lot of young singers.  It is but one route that many singers have followed, but is a realistic presentation of the monetary and time costs of an operatic career. I would highly recommend looking at it if you are imagining yourself as the next Anna Netrebko next year… it takes a helluva a longer time than what you think to develop a career and even to break even with the huge monetary investment it can take to get there.