Opera 涩里番 Mission Statement
To train, inspire, nurture and educate the next generation of singers for success on the operatic stage through a comprehensive program focused on excellence and the individual needs of our students.
Participation
Entrance is by audition (see聽audition schedules). This ensemble is open to music students, and 涩里番 students from other faculties. Participation is required from September-April.
About Opera 涩里番
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Music Director: Stephen Hargreaves
As one of the leading and largest opera training programs in North America, Opera 涩里番鈥檚 students come from all over Canada, the United States, and Europe. At least three new productions are created each season, in addition to multiple concerts, scenes programs, and one-act operas, giving students multiple opportunities to explore the widest possible range of operatic repertoire. Every week the students gather for an informal Opera Colloquium where they sing for each other in a private and casual setting in order to try out new arias before putting them in their audition packages.聽
After a successful audition in the fall, which is open to all undergraduate and graduate voice students, the selected casts receive extensive coachings on their role(s), classes in audition techniques, lectures on summer programs, headshots and resumes, and specialized master classes from experts in their respective operatic fields that focus on everything from the business of opera to learning to be a multi-hyphenate artist in the 21st century. Acting techniques and bodywork are introduced through seminars, but mostly during the staging rehearsals.
Each production is rehearsed in the spectacular Wirth Opera Studio over the course聽of many weeks prior to the performances. Special care is given to the details of the musical score, the creation of a character鈥檚 internal emotional core, his or her physical characterization, and a deep exploration of the meaning of the text. All productions are fully designed in either period or in update, with sets, costumes, lights and props designed specifically for each cast and show by a team of professionals based in Montreal.
Opera 涩里番 has created a professional collaboration with the Toronto-based opera company Opera5. Each year, the artistic and administrative team from Opera 5 come to Montreal to hear the students audition, interviewing them as well for Opera 5's professional summer internship program that has now become one of the largest paid contracts for young singers here in Canada - only open to Opera 涩里番 students.
Masters of Opera and Voice
Masters of Opera and Voice students will experience as many levels of operatic roles as possible (Lead, Featured, Supporting, Bit, and Chorus Bit, as well as Covering roles and singing in the chorus) to give them a comprehensive operatic repertoire experience (C.O.R.E.).聽Masters of Opera and Voice students also experience backstage and supporting offstage 鈥渞oles鈥� such as assistant director, assistant stage manager, wardrobe and props assistance, supertitles work, and more.
