FAQs
Most frequent questions and answers
VOA: Vienna Opera Academy is for students who are looking for stage experience and the tools to prepare a role and connect to a network of other singers.
VOF: Vienna Opera Festival is directed toward professional opera singers who are searching for performance experience to learn an opera role for their CV. Only professional and emerging artists may apply.
Singing a principal opera role and covering a role are two distinct roles within an opera production, each with its own responsibilities and significance:
Principal Opera Role:
- Lead Performer: The principal opera role, also known as the lead or starring role, is one of the main characters in the opera’s storyline. This character often has significant stage time, numerous arias, and pivotal dramatic moments.
- Performance: The principal singer is responsible for performing the role during scheduled performances. They are the star of the show and are the focus of audience attention.
- Rehearsal Focus: The principal singer participates in intensive rehearsals to prepare for their performance, working closely with the director, conductor, and fellow cast members.
- Artistic Interpretation: They have creative freedom to interpret the character as they see fit, incorporating their vocal and dramatic abilities into the role.
- Recognition: Principals receive top billing and recognition in promotional materials and reviews, and they are often more widely known in the opera world.
Covering a Role (Cover Singer or Understudy):
- Understudy: A cover singer or understudy is a backup performer who learns and rehearses a specific principal role but does not perform it unless the primary singer is unable to do so due to illness, injury, or any other unforeseen circumstance.
- Preparedness: Their primary responsibility is to be prepared to step in at short notice if needed, ensuring the opera can continue smoothly without interruption.
- Rehearsal: Cover singers attend rehearsals alongside the principal cast, even though they may not perform in all rehearsals. This helps them become familiar with the production and their role.
- Performance Opportunity: If the principal singer cannot perform, the cover singer takes their place, allowing the show to go on without significant disruption.
- Recognition: While cover singers may not receive the same level of recognition as principals, their role is vital to the overall success and continuity of the production. If they do perform, they may receive acknowledgment for their contribution.
In summary, the principal opera role is the central character in an opera, with the primary responsibility of performing it during scheduled shows, while covering a role involves being a backup singer who steps in when needed to ensure the production can continue seamlessly. Both roles are crucial in the world of opera, with principals in the spotlight and covers providing essential support and contingency.
At the prestigious Musikverein and Mozarthaus in Vienna, Austria.
Absolutely! At the Vienna Opera Academy, you will have the unique opportunity to work closely with both the director and the maestro in preparing your cover role. Our program is designed to provide individualized attention to each participant, ensuring that you have the resources and support you need to excel in your role. With one-on-one coachings and group rehearsals, you will have ample time to work with the director and maestro, receiving guidance and feedback that will help you refine your performance and bring your character to life on stage. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a young artist just starting out, the Vienna Opera Academy is committed to helping you achieve your full potential and achieve success in the competitive world of opera.
Yes, there should be the opportunity to sing with the orchestra during the two sitzprobe rehearsals.
We believe in providing a professional rehearsal environment for all of our singers, including our covers. We understand that covers may have the opportunity to sing in production rehearsals if they are musically prepared, but we always prioritize thorough preparation of the two principal casts. You will receive coaching from our experienced faculty, including Toby Purser and our assistant conductors, and we will include you in rehearsals as much as possible. We want to ensure that if you do need to replace a principal singer in a performance, you are fully prepared and confident in your role. However, if you are not ready, the role will be performed by the principal singer from the other cast, as is standard practice in professional opera companies.
We understand that covers play a critical role in any opera production. That’s why we offer our covers unique opportunities to showcase their talents and receive invaluable performance experience. Yes, there will be a cover run with piano on the final Friday, allowing you to demonstrate your skills and prepare for potential stage appearances. Additionally, as part of our program, you will have the chance to sing in the chorus during our public performances, providing an excellent opportunity to gain exposure and experience. To further enhance your performance skills, we also provide opportunities for you to sing your arias with the orchestra during orchestra rehearsals and at the Mozarthaus.
At the Vienna Opera Academy, we recognize the importance of providing our covers with ample rehearsal time to refine their performances and prepare for potential stage appearances. That is why we dedicate one and a half hours at the end of each day for covers to work on their roles, both musically and in terms of staging. During this time, you will have the opportunity to review what you have learned during the day, receive feedback and guidance from our experienced faculty, and practice and refine your performance. This dedicated time is an essential part of our program, allowing covers to build their confidence and ensure they are fully prepared should the need arise for them to perform on stage.
Yes, although it depends upon the availability.