Singing Sergeant Performs in Metropolitan Opera Chorus Published Feb. 27, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Mandi Harper The U.S. Air Force Band JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING, D.C. -- Tech. Sgt. Joe Haughton, a tenor with the Singing Sergeants, auditioned last summer for a highly coveted position with the Metropolitan Opera Chorus. This winter, he was invited to sing in the chorus for the Met's upcoming performance of Parsifal by Richard Wagner. Haughton, originally from Lansdale, Penn., received a bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Performance from Carnegie Mellon University. He has been a member of the Singing Sergeants since 2005, and deployed with Irish music ensemble, Celtic Aire, in 2010. It has taken careful coordination to attend Met rehearsals in New York City and Singing Sergeants rehearsals in Washington D.C., but Haughton says "It's completely worth it!" "This is such a great experience, and it's an honor to share the stage with opera greats like Jonas Kaufmann and Katarina Dalayman." Along with famous opera singers, Haughton is joined by tenors Matt Smith and Nathan Carlisle, both formerly of the Singing Sergeants. Smith is currently with the U.S. Army Chorus, and Carlisle is a full-time member of the Met Opera Chorus. Also in the chorus, there is a former Sea Chanter, an Army Soldier's chorister, and a retired U.S. Army Chorister. Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was a German composer, theater director and conductor. He transformed opera with his concept of Gesamtkunstwerk, "total work of art," whereby he sought to synchronize all aspects of the stage performance, including musical, poetic, visual and dramatic arts. He was most successful in combining these aspects in the four-opera cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen." "Parsifal" is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's 13th century poem, "Parzival," relating the Arthurian search for the Holy Grail. The opera, conceived by Wagner in 1857 and completed 25 years later, follows the young and foolish Parsifal as he stumbles into this strange world of the Grail. The story is challenging, and its meaning has been debated by musicologists for over a century. And, though it is a shocking five hours long, the music is enchanting and transcendent. The show opened on February 15 and will run until March 8. For times, tickets, and a more detailed synopsis, please visit the Metropolitan Opera website. If you can't make it to New York City, you can also see the live broadcast at select AMC theaters on March 2, with an encore on March 20.