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Opera in the 21st Century: Singers and Répétiteurs
Program Information
Photo taken from production workshop of Silent Light, music by Paola Prestini and text by Royce Vavrek, 2019.
Overview
Opera in the 21st Century is a performance-based, collaborative training experience for emerging opera professionals that challenges the conventions of opera performance, production, and design.
The residency’s focus is to develop young opera professionals with the skills and experience to take them to the next level of their careers in an evolving industry. The multi-disciplinary program offers a unique opportunity to work with and learn from artists specializing in a range of areas including design, creation, composition, and production.
What does the program offer?
Opera in the 21st Century is an intensive residency devoted to practical skill extension and development for emerging professionals. The program offers classes in acting, voice, movement, and websites/resumes. Participants will leave Banff with new headshots and aria recordings.
Singers and répétiteurs will participate in workshop rehearsals and a showing of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup (a new opera inspired by the opioid crisis), written by composer Michelle DiBucci and librettist Royce Vavrek. In addition, singers et répétiteurs will engage with small opera companies developing concepts for new works. Participants will also perform together in chamber concerts including Opera Pub, community concerts, and others.
Led by Opera in the 21st Century’s Artistic Director Joel Ivany, the stellar faculty is comprised of internationally recognized professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines.
Who should apply?
We invite applications from post-secondary students and emerging artists, already at an advanced level of accomplishment and with a well-documented record of artistic exploration. Artists from historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
The program offers space for 12 singers and 2 répétiteurs.
What's Included
Your program fee includes a shared bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Single rooms may be available upon request for an additional fee. Please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay.
The Full Flex meal plan includes $38 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Vistas Dining Room.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work in one of our performance venues.
Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Access a wide range of publications, books, music and films in the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, open six days a week.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Fees & Financial Assistance
*Financial Aid up to 100% of the program fee may be available.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials to SlideRoom.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre! View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Audition Requirements
You must either attend a live audition or submit digital video recordings. Please note your live audition preference:
Singers ONLY
Live auditions:
- Toronto: January 23 and 24, 2020
- Calgary: January 27, 2020
- Vancouver: February 2, 2020
- Montreal: February 3, 2020
Digital video recording submission requirements:
Opera Singers who are unable to attend a live audition please upload digital video recordings. Upload 2 arias. One must be in English and one in Italian, German, or French. At least one will have been composed in or after 2000. All videos submitted should have been recorded within the last 12 months.
Repetieurs ONLY
You must either attend a live audition or submit digital video recordings. Please note your live audition preference:
Live auditions:
- Toronto: January 23 and 24, 2020
- Calgary: January 27, 2020
- Vancouver: February 2, 2020
- Montreal: February 3, 2020
Please prepare two arias of contrasting styles, to be both played and sung, one of which has been composed after 2000. Please prepare one of the following scenes to be both played and sung:
- Act III, duet from La Bohème (Puccini), Mimi and Marcello beginning at Marcello’s “Mimi!”
- Act II, duet from La Traviata (Verdi), Vermont and Violetta, “Pura siccome un angelo”
- Act I, duet from Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Nedda and Silvio, “Nedda! Silvio!”
Live auditions - Please bring a copy of your resume. There will be a sight reading exercise.
Audition Schedule
Live auditions will be offered in the following cities:
- Toronto: January 23 and 24, 2020
- Calgary: January 27, 2020
- Vancouver: February 2, 2020
- Montreal: February 3, 2020
Please note your preferred city of choice at the time of your application.
Audition slots fill up quickly; do not wait until the last minute to apply.
Live Audition Requirements
Digital video recording submission requirements:
Opera Singers who are unable to attend a live audition please upload digital video recordings. Upload 2 arias. One must be in English and one in Italian, German, or French. At least one will have been composed in or after 2000. All videos submitted should have been recorded within the last 12 months.
Repetieurs ONLY
You must either attend a live audition or submit digital video recordings. Please note your live audition preference:
Live auditions:
- Toronto: January 23 and 24, 2020
- Calgary: January 27, 2020
- Vancouver: February 2, 2020
- Montreal: February 3, 2020
Please prepare two arias of contrasting styles, to be both played and sung, one of which has been composed after 2000. Please prepare one of the following scenes to be both played and sung:
- Act III, duet from La Bohème (Puccini), Mimi and Marcello beginning at Marcello’s “Mimi!”
- Act II, duet from La Traviata (Verdi), Vermont and Violetta, “Pura siccome un angelo”
- Act I, duet from Pagliacci (Leoncavallo), Nedda and Silvio, “Nedda! Silvio!”
Live auditions - Please bring a copy of your resume. There will be a sight reading exercise.
Adjudication
Participants are selected by impartial adjudicators on the basis of their submitted material. In addition to artistic merit, consideration will be given to the likelihood that the artist's work will benefit from the program.
Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as adjudication is complete.
Note: All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Contact the Registrar
For questions on preparing your application, please contact the Office of the Registrar:
