What do directors want to hear for lyric sopranos on a classical vocal demo?

I am trying to decide what to put on a demo in order to get work in both opera and oratorio work. I am a lyric but tend to lean toward early and 20th century music. Do they care if it's art song or aria? What are they looking for exactly? Thanks for any info. Maggie

What do directors want to hear for lyric sopranos on a classical vocal demo?home theater system

Immaculate, unquestionable competence. If you posses and present this, you're on first base.

An exhibition piece and one I have always found intriguing, is the mechanical dolls(forget her name)aria, from the 1st Act of Offenbach's "Tales of Hoffman".

I would recommend you seriously consider this; it if well executed, will have a listener on the edge of their seat, expectantly waiting to see if the high notes are achieved.

Alberich

What do directors want to hear for lyric sopranos on a classical vocal demo?the grand theater opera theater

Alberich's first sentence says it all. Since lyric soprano is by far the largest category of soprano voice, you have to show that you have something to offer that will capture interest. I tmay be that you have the facility to sing pianissimo in oyur high range, it may be that you have a remarkable messa di voce or a long breath.

Make sure that you pick something that will show off your most outstanding qualities. Art songs are wonderful, but rarely do they give you the opportunity to show what you have. If your interests are early music/20th century, I would use one of each to show how your voice adapts to fit those two. Make sure you have enough difference in compostional style ( not a hard thing to do) and key. Also one piece could move more than the other in terms of tempo. But be very sure that you feel vocally comfortable with your choices. It's no good picking something flashy if you are not at home with it.

Best wishes for a good start.