Musicians audition for Metro performances

There were no promises of Sanjayalike stardom, but the opportunity to perform before hundreds of thousands of Metrorail riders each day was motivation enough for about 40 musically inclined people.

Metro held auditions last evening for its one-year MetroPerforms pilot program that will give local musicians and singers a chance to showcase their talent outside Metrorail stations.

The auditions at Metro headquarters downtown began with a powerful soprano performance of Puccini’s “O Mio Babbino Caro” by Luciana Cecille of Northwest.

“Opera can be fun, it can be young, it can be hip,” she said.

Miss Cecille, whose slim frame betrays her large, classically trained voice, said she wants people to perform for Metro riders to expose them to a genre of music that they probably aren’t listening to.

“I enjoy it, so why can’t everyday people and not just those who can afford to pay $75 for a seat [in an opera house]?” she said.

From Miss Cecille’s opening, however, auditions got a little rocky with a couple of technical difficulties keeping some artists from performing, but then came Melissa Princess Best — aka “Princess of Controversy.”

Reciting poetry, singing and rapping all in one performance, Miss Best, 28, of Southeast, said she would bring versatility and energy to MetroPerforms.

“What I do brings an older generation and a young generation together,” Miss Best said. “It’s something to give people a jump at their lunchtime or at the start of their day.”

Developed by Metro’s Art in Transit Program, which displays artwork in and around Metro stations, and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, MetroPerforms was developed to support the arts and entertain Metro’s riders, Metro spokeswoman Cathy Assato said.

“We think this is a great way for us to support the arts,” Miss Assato said. “It brings a little vibe on the scene.”

Michael Woods, human resources manager for Busboys and Poets, a Northwest restaurant and lounge known for its active arts scene, said he thinks the program will show the city’s diversity.

“I think we have hit every genre and experience level that could walk through this door,” Mr. Woods said after sitting as a judge for yesterday’s auditions.

MetroPerforms program coordinator Michael McBride said the level of talent at the audition was what he expected.

“I think we can safely say we have a good crop of performers,” Mr. McBride said. “When you do public programming you get a very broad range.”

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