Watch CBS News

Newton Sixth Grader An Opera Prodigy

BOSTON (CBS) -- His nickname is Little Caruso, and for an 11-year-old musical prodigy from Newton, it's showtime, as he prepares for the most important performance of his young life.

Clark Rubinshtein, a 6th grader, is a little kid with a huge voice. We met him as he rehearsed for Thursday night's solo recital at Jordan Hall with the Commonwealth Lyric Theater's Chamber Orchestra.

"Its going to be my third solo concert. I had two in Germany," he says. Clark's been singing for as long as he can remember, but began formal training at age nine. He was ten when he made his operatic debut. And at age 11, he's on a very serious stage. "I feel like I'm king of the world, kind of like that line from Titanic," he says.

At an age when most kids are into hip hop and rap, it's classical and opera that are in Clark's soul. "They speak to me in a way, and mostly it comes from my heart. I feel like I've been given an opportunity that not many kids have," he says.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

Newton Sixth Grader An Opera Prodigy

He absolutely comes alive on stage. "The feeling of being on stage is breathtaking for me. The audience gives me my charisma," he says. And he give it right back. "I want to put a smile on their face, I want to make them laugh and cry," he adds.

Clark will sing with Izdebski, Alexander Prokhorov and soprano Olga Lisovaskaya and the Commonwealth Lyric Theater orchestra, directed by Lydia Yankovskaya, at Jordan Hall on Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Clark will sing in a variety of languages including Italian, German, French, Spanish, English and Russian.

For more information about Clark Rubinshtein, visit www.clarkrubinshtein.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.