Criticism

It may be a comfort to know that no matter how good you get at something, you will probably still be criticized. In fact, the better you get, the more criticism will fly your way. A case in point is today's great soprano singers: do a quick search on Natalie Dessay, Cecilia Bartoli, or Anna Netrebko, and you will find not only clips of their music, biographies, and the like, but also scathing critics of each. As we like to say at our house, de gustibus non est disputandum, so there's no point in arguing with these critics (or with agreeing with them, either). The fact is that the singers listed above have risen to fame through their talent and hard work. The quality of their singing is on a different level. Nevertheless, they still receive a lot of negative comments, perhaps because their vocal quality is not to some people's taste and also perhaps because, since they have gotten so good, people hold them to an even higher standard. All this is a lesson that critiques and negative feedback should never discourage you from aiming high and from remaining confident in the accomplishments you have already attained.