One point you make (slight tangent)

" Is it really time well spent to go through and translate the whole opera myself? "

YES, YES, YES and YES.

Sure, use libretti and cheat sheets to supplement (NOT replace) the dictionary as needed, but something about going through with a paper dictionary word for word is a different process. In all honesty, once I've done it "the hard way" in a language with which I have passing acquaintance (writing the key words into my score so I see it every time I go to sing it), I usually have it about 60-75% memorized by the time I'm done with the translation; singing it into my voice puts the music in my brain, so when I come to "final memorizing" 90% of it is already thoroughly in my head; far from taking extra time, it actually SAVES me time in the long run. I don't know why it seems to cement itself better that way, but it does - I'm guessing because it slows us down a little, and we pick up subliminal visual content as we leaf through the pages.

So yes, I DO think there is a case for translating a whole opera for oneself instead.

Regarding the other points, I think we have ALL had times when we need the information fast in any form available (eg your kibbles-n-bits audition example) and have taken shortcuts (or didn't have library or computer access and asked a friend to post online to help us out), but it often seems that these requests here at NFCS (especially when not backed by an explanation) come from folks who are only looking for the quick fix who really don't seem to grasp that this process is NOT "busy work", but an integral part of learning and preparing a role. It's not just about the mechanics of "learning the text" either, but about understanding - REALLY understanding - what one is expressing.

It kind of amazes me that people find working on this part of their music a chore - surely our task as expressive artists is to get inside the music, including the text which prompted the composer to WRITE the music, so that we can bring it to life?

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"If you only look at what you left behind youll never be able to focus on what lies ahead." - Gusteau