Opera. Connections. Europe  is a  unique mentoring program geared specifically to preparing emerging opera singers for the European audition experience. Designed and developed in collaboration with the Academie de la Roche D’Hys in partnership with agents, consultants, and  international opera professionals,  the 12-day workshop intensive  offers thorough audition preparation, a person- to- person guide to preparing  a career and most importantly, the opportunity of building personal networks with opera professionals in Europe with follow-up and continued mentoring through audition tours and further professional opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL OPERA PROGRAMME  ( POP)”A”

For emerging young opera singers  beginning  their professional singing career
Recent graduates of  university or conservatory opera departments, Young Artist Programs
laureates of international singing competitions
Age limits  22 – 35

NEW**For  collaborative pianists/coaches and emerging conductors interested in pursuing a career in opera

Candidates are selected by audition/ interview only
Limited to 8 singers and 3 pianists/coach conductor  per session

What to expect:

• Daily  individual coaching sessions with musical and dramatic coaches, conductors and  guest impresarios
• Daily group seminars  with faculty and visiting opera experts on understanding the European market,
  the German opera house system, finding and working with agents and artist managers, creating strong promotional materials
• Understanding the work place, demands of stage directors, conductors,  working efficiently with coaches
• Video taped auditions every 2 days
• Personal one-on-one feedback sessions with agents, theatre and casting directors, career and media consultants
• Recording a Promo CD/DVD/HD VIDEO

PROFESSIONAL OPERA PROGRAMME  ( POP)”B”

8 days –  Dates to be announced   either  Early June  or late July depending on number of  participants
For more experienced singers in early or mid-career,  late bloomers,
in the midst of changing fachs, or preparing a special new role

Candidates are selected by audition and interview only. NO AGE RESTRICTIONS

This program is dedicated to helping singers deal with defining career objectives and direction on the international opera scene.

What to expect:

• Daily individual work and group sessions with coaches, stage directors, conductors, career counselors
• Refining Audition material
• Complete Role Preparation
• Seminars with  European agents and impresarios
• Preparation of professional marketing materials
• Recording an audition CD/DVD
• Public Concerts
• Limited to 8 per session singers

This programme is  offered separately  on demand  for a minimum of 6 participants.

FACULTY:

Jeannette Aster, Director of Program, International  Stage Director

Niels Muus, Conductor  www.nielsmuus.com
Vincent de Kort, Conductor  www.vincentdekort.com
Atsuko Ota Repetiteur / Coach  Alto Theatre Essen
Luca Spinoza Repetiteur/ Coach   Theatro San Carlo Naples

Franziska Severin Former casting director Leipzig Opera , Professor opernkunst Hochschule fur Musik Stuttgart
Philippe Greneche  Career Consultant  PhilGrenArts  Rouen France
Misha Aster  Career Counsellor ,  Deutsche Grammophon, Medici TV,  State Orchestra Dresden , VP Vancouver Symphony
Ulrike Kostinger CEO ,  Operabase  www.operabase.com

​TACT artist management   www.tact4art.com
 Johanna Herbst  Artist Manager
Visiting guest artists  TBA

FACULTY (past and present on a rotating basis)
​Principal Coaches:
Guiliano Betta:  Conductor/Kappelmeister, Gelsenkirchen,  Basel, Dusseldorf, Luzern
Niels Muus:  Conductor,  Director of Masters opera program  Universitat der Kunst und Musik der Stadt Wien, Beijing Opera Centre
Catherina Galiotto: Glyndebourne, Zurich, Venice, Vincenza Italy
Yuna Saito: La Scala, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen
Staff repetiteurs:  Manon Fischer-Dieskau, Cecily Locke, Claire Harris, Evart Jan de Groot, Miho Yamamura, Reto Schirli, Chelsey Padilla , William Shookhoff , Ekaterina Porizko,  Luca Spinoza, Atsuko Ota,

Conductors :
Giuliano Betta  conductor, Music Director Opern Theatre Gelsenkirchen,  Deutche Oper am Rhein  Dusseldorf,  Basel Opera , Luzern Fest,
Alessandro Bicci,  Bolshoi Theatre  Moscow , La Fenice Italy,
Marco Boemi, conductor  La Scala Milan, Spoleto, Tokyo, Shanghai,  Rio de Janiero, Astana Opera ,
Niels Muus, conductor, former music director Wiener Volksoper, artistic advisor for Mozarthaus Vienna , music director of Musikfestival Steyr, Austria,  Director  Masters programme MUK Universitat das Musik und Kunst der Stadt Wien, Director Opera program Beijing China
Vincent de Kort ,conductor Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Marinsky Theatre St Petersburg, Reiseopera Netherlands, President of jury ” Maestro”  television conductors competition  Netherlands

Stage Directors    
Jeannette Aster ,   General Director Academie de la Roche D’Hys,
Monique Wagemakers, International Stage director; Netherlands Opera,  Madrid, Mannheim, Mainz , Nürnberg,
Hans Nieuwenhaus  Orfeo foundation,

​Casting and Artist Management :
William Guerri – Columbia Artist Management N.Y
Philippe Greneche -Gren’Art Management  Rouen
Winfried Hofinger Tennigkeit Opernagentur Dusseldorf
Oliver Kretchmer  TACT  International Artist Management Amsterdam  Berlin  Madrid  Moscow
Alex Grigorev  TACT International Artist Management Amsterdam  Berlin  Madrid  Moscow
Dari Dimova  Managing director  TACT International Artist Management Amsterdam  Berlin  Madrid  Moscow
Franz- Georg Stahling  CMC Artist Management  Cologne
Robert Jan Haitink K&K Artist Management   Vienna
Johanna Herbst Johanna Herbst Artist management   Munich

​Opera consultants and advisory board :
Maria Mot   Intermusica Agency  London
Berthold Schneider  Intendant Wupperthal Buhnen Opera House, former opera director Darmstadt Opera House Germany
Niels Muus  Director  Masters Opera programme  MUK Universitat fur Musik und Kunst der Stadt Wien ( former Vienna Conservatory)
John Fisher   Metropolitan Opera New York
Michael Schetelich  Executive producer  A&R Consultant , Berlin.
Helene von Orlofsky   Director of Operations Landestheatre Linz Austria
Franziska Severin  Opera theatre Leipzig, professor Operkunst Hochschule Muzik und Kunst Stuttgart
Ulrike Kostinger CEO Opera Base  Vienna Austria
Misha Aster, Director of Programming , Medici TV Paris, Executive producer DG Berlin