OPÉRA COMIQUE ACADEMY

Transcription

1 OPÉRA COMIQUE ACADEMY INTRODUCTION After five seasons focused on the historical repertoire of the Opéra Comique, a statement can be made: while orchestras and music directors are fully engaged in the aesthetics and style characteristics of opéra-comique, French and foreign singers seem less confident in the techniques required by this genre. Opéra-comique style has been a teaching topic in national conservatories classes until 1992; it is now absent from the programs of any educational institution. The intent of the Opéra Comique is to establish an Academy during the production of its most significant titles in the tradition of a singers troupe. Starting with the season 2012/2013, young singers at the beginning of their career will have the opportunity to take advantage of an intensive 4/5 month session that brings together specialisation and professionalization. At the core of the Opéra Comique programming, Academy artists receive general training (history, prosody, declamation, vocal technique, theatre) in association with a professional project (contracted for two productions on the opera season and for concerts and recitals of the series called Rumeurs). The artists are distributed as soloists and/or covers/members of the choir in two lyric productions of the Opéra Comique Season. The most renowned specialists of this repertoire are part of the teaching staff: vocal coaches, singers, music directors, stage directors, actors, musicologists, and historians. Two permanent vocal coaches assist each member of the Academy over the entire period, on a daily basis. The Opera Comique is looking forward to coproduce and/or tour the productions created in the context of the Academy in alliance with its partners. At the end of their experience at the Opera Comique, Academy artists master most of the specific techniques of an important part of the French repertoire.

2 ACADEMY Preliminary schedule (dates to be confirmed at the end of October 2012): From November 18 th, 2013 to January 20 th,2014 and from March 10 th to May 22 nd, 2014 Productions: Lakmé, by Léo Delibes Music Director: François-Xavier Roth. Stage Director: Lilo Baur Production 2: Title and artistic team will be confirmed during October 2012 auditions Applicant requirements: For the Academy we have openings for 10 singers (sopranos /mezzos/ tenors / baritones / baritones basses) Maximum age : 35 years (on November 1 st, 2013) Level : young professional or master student Open to every nationality / no nationality discrimination Work level French language proficiency required Duration: Total availability required for the two periods mentioned above, as well as for the selection procedure (see next page). Priority option for the schedule in case of tour Academy program: General Training: workshop and master classes throughout the entire period. History of the French repertoire and vocal art Prosody / Speaking voice / Declamation Vocal technique Bodywork Theatre Professional Training: Participation to two main productions in the context of the Season at the Opera Comique. Both productions will include renowned singers and Academy singers. Each Academy singer will participate as a soloist and/or as a cover and/or a member of the choir. Participation to the recitals and programs known as Rumeurs Participation to the same operas on tour.

3 Teaching staff: Permanent teaching staff: Two vocal coaches (daily sessions on vocal technique and performing) A voice specialist (weekly sessions on vocal technique) A specialist in body-space relation (regular collective workshops) Specialisation with: Mentorship vocal masterclasses taught by great singers of this repertoire. lectures and workshops on prosody, speaking voice, declamation work with the artistic team of the two productions (music and stage directors) Each Academy singer will be mentored -during the entire session- by one of the renowned singers involved in one of the two productions.

4 SELECTION / AUDITIONS The selection procedure will happen in three steps: a first step based on CV, a second on audition, a third with a three-days workshop given by the artistic team of the productions PHASE 1 : selection based on CV Application form available on line: Application deadline: October 3 rd, 2012 Notification of the results: October 12, 2012 (up to 70 singers will be selected for the auditions). PHASE 2 : Auditions Auditions : October 22, 23 and , Opera Comique Jury: Jerôme Deschamps, Director of the Opéra Comique Olivier Mantei, deputy Director of the Opéra Comique Christophe Capacci, artistic advisor at the Opéra Comique François-Xavier Roth, music director of Lakmé Bertrand Halary, Academy vocal coach Agnes Terrier, dramatist at the Opéra Comique Program (exclusively French repertoire): 1 baroque of classic Aria / 1 romantic or modern Aria / 1 mélodie PHASE 3: After the October auditions, 20 singers will be invited to the final selection, organised as a threedays workshop. Workshop : December , Opera Comique At the end of this workshop, the artists of the Academy will be selected knowing for which roles, covers, and choir participation they have been chosen.

5 CONDITIONS Auditions (October 22 nd, 23 rd, 25 th ): The travel/hotel/daily expenses generated by this audition will be up to applicants. Workshop Final selection (13-15 th December 2012) The Opéra Comique will reimburse up to 250 euros for travel expenses to the non Parisian candidates (upon presentation of travel ticket). We will inform the candidates not living in the Paris area about the accommodation reimbursements in due time. Academy (from November 18 th 2013 to January 20 th 2014 and from March 10 th to May 22 nd 2014) : Application fee: none Training fee: the general training, the masterclass, the vocal coach are free of charge for the participants Contract: the artists will receive a monthly salary on the entire period of the Academy. More details will be given later, at the latest after October 2012 s auditions. Accommodations: The Opera Comique will organise and pay the accommodation for the artists living outside the Paris area. Meals: the artists of the Academy will have access to the Palais Garnier Cafeteria/canteen. Travels: The Opera Comique will reimburse up to 250 euros of the return travel (economy ticket) to Paris.