dell'Arte Opera Ensemble 2012 Standard Repertoire Project in New York, NY

CURRent applicants:
Please visit our Audition Information Page for important information.
You must complete an Application Form in order to be offered an audition appointment.

AUDITIONS
- 2012 SRP Application deadline: February 1, 2012 (early-bird: January 15) ["received by"]
- Audition assigned only when complete application (online, plus resume, headshot and fee) received
- We will make an effort to hear ALL first-time applicants in the first round of auditions
- Singers are highly encouraged to use provided pianist, but may bring their own [at their own cost]
- We reserve the right not to hear previous applicants (application fee will be returned via US Mail)
- No application fee refunds in any other case

THE PROGRAM
Through the STANDARD REPERTOIRE PROJECT (SRP), dell’Arte provides opportunities for emerging opera artists to thoroughly prepare complete roles and present a public performance with a full cast in downtown Manhattan.  The program focuses on the process that prepares the artist, providing tools that will help with role preparation throughout an entire career.

Participants receive free coachings with dell’Arte Artistic Director Christopher Fecteau and/or other qualified staff coaches, followed by small ensemble and recitative rehearsals with supportive, talented and motivated cast members.

Full cast work including musical and staging rehearsals and a dress rehearsal with conductor and pianist precede the final staged presentation with chamber ensemble.

All Participants in the SRP will be invited to attend (subject to space availability) dell’Arte’s series of Master Classes over the course of the season.  This year's classes will feature Chuck Hudson, and Audrey Saint-Gil.

Performances are attended by family and friends and enthusiastic audiences who provide a supportive environment for the singers’ first chance at an important role in their repertoire.  

Participation in ALL ELEMENTS of the dell’Arte Opera Ensemble Standard Repertoire Project is free of charge to singers. 

Schedule
Individual coachings take place in New York City according to participant availability between April and June of 2012.  dell'Arte does not provide transportation or housing to out-of-town artists.  Small group sessions will usually be scheduled around the availability of participating singers towards the end of June.  Finally, full-cast music rehearsals and staging rehearsals begin after the July 4th holiday and continue until performances in August.  Formal musical and staging rehearsals will be concentrated in evening and weekend times to accomodate those singers with other daytime commitments.  Repertoire and casting will be based on the February auditions, and the final schedule will be released by April 15.  On the audition form, there is a space for the singer to note any scheduling issues which would affect casting. While we try to be as accommodating to the schedules of individual singers as possible, the size of the casts limits the flexibility we can have with scheduling.

We hope that interested singers will apply and audition for us, even if their summer plans are still uncertain.  If nothing works out this particular summer season, we will at least have heard the singer, and have their information and our impressions on file in consideration for future projects.

Eligibility
Singers in the project range from those just out of conservatory or graduate school (in ensemble, comprimario and supporting roles) to career artists preparing for upcoming professional engagements.  ALL roles assigned should be a debut for the singer.  You may have performed portions of the role before, or in translation, or in concert, but the full role must be a staged debut in the original language.

Generally, singers must expect to be within commuting distance of NYC at least from after the July 4th holiday through the end of performances.  Transportation, housing and meals are not included.

There is no age limit on the program.  With few exceptions, applicants have completed an undergraduate degree (though not necessarily in music).  While there is no upper age limit, Participants tend to be 21-40 and are poised to launch, or have already begun, operatic careers.

Please carefully read and take into account our expectations of the experience necessary to be considered for each level of role.   

Principal
At minimum, some professional credits (not necessarily in leading roles) and some leading role credits at least in educational institutions or no-pay-no-fee situations.  Emergining professionals who wish to add important core roles to their repertoire are especially encouraged to apply.

Supporting
At minimum, some educational role credits. Pay-to-sing assignments (scene workshops, summer programs) will be considered for this level as well. If a singer is particularly qualified, they may be assigned multiple supporting roles across the repertoire for the summer season.

Comprimario
The smallest roles will be assigned to singers also willing to participate in the ensemble (chorus) for one or more productions. If qualified, they may also be assigned supporting role covers in other operas in the summer season.

Ensemble
Singers should expect to participate in one or more operas, and may be invited to participate in the entire summer season. Comprimario roles and small role covers will be assigned mostly from the membership of the ensemble. Those wishing to participate should have some chorus experience.  Not all chorus members will be given comprimario assignments.

Covers
Covers must be as prepared as the primary singer assigned to the role. dell’Arte generally does not provide free coaching to covers unless the cover is called upon to move into the primary (performance) position.  Singers who have already performed a specific role and wish to be considered for cover opportunities will also be considered.

Singers participating at the Ensemble, Comprimario and Cover levels may also have opportunities during the following season to participate in community outreach programs (scene and aria concerts) both with excerpts from their studied role and in other repertoire.

REPERTOIRE

Tentative repertoire for the 2012 SRP is Carmen and Dialogues des Carmelites, but final choices will depend upon the singers who audition.  Because we concentrated on Italian and German repertoire in the last two summer seasons, we hope to present French repertoire this summer.  Please bring the debut role you want to learn and perform, and we'll automatically consider it for inclusion in our season.  Past seasons have included Die Zauberfloete, Ariadne auf Naxos, Il Trittico, Le nozze di Figaro, Lucia di Lammermoor, La Bohème,  Little Women, and Manon.

APplication and Audition

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)