Opera Studies Auditions
Application deadline: Monday 2 October 2023.
Opera Studies Auditions
We encourage you to attend a live audition where possible, as this offers candidates the opportunity to engage in live music-making, to meet key departmental staff, and to experience our vibrant school environment.
If you are based overseas and elect to submit a recorded audition, the deadline to upload your audition video(s) is Friday 27 October 2023. Details about how to upload your recording(s) will follow after the application deadline.
Applications for Opera and Vocal Studies
Please note that you may apply for Opera Studies, Vocal Studies or make a joint application to be considered by both the Opera and Vocal Studies departments.
If you wish to apply for Vocal Studies or as a Joint applicant, please go to the Vocal webpage for audition requirements.
The below audition information is for candidates applying to Opera studies only.
Opera Studies: Guildhall Artist Masters and Artist Diploma
The audition comprises two rounds – if you are successful in the first round, you will be invited to sing again in the second round. You must be available to sing for both rounds.
First round auditions will take place between 4-11 December 2023 and second round auditions will take place on 12/13 December. We aim to schedule students travelling from overseas for first round auditions on 11 December although this cannot be guaranteed.
We reserve the right to record live auditions for the purpose of internal review only. Any such recordings will be deleted following the audition cycle. Footage is not released to candidates or third parties.
First round – 4-11 December inclusive
Please prepare two contrasting operatic arias. If your first language is not English you must offer one aria either originally composed in, or translated into, English.
Second round – 12/13 December
Candidates invited to sing in the second audition should prepare two contrasting operatic arias, one of which must be different from those offered in the first round. You will also be required to attend a 30 minute movement and drama workshop; please ensure you arrive wearing comfortable clothing for this session. You may change into audition clothing after the movement session and before your audition. Please note that we do not have designated changing facilities but you may use the restrooms to change.
First round
Please send a recording of three contrasting operatic arias. If your first language is not English you must offer one aria either originally composed in, or translated into, English.
We strongly recommend that you submit recordings with accompaniment. If this is not possible, we will accept an unaccompanied audition.
Second round
A second round online workshop will be arranged (via Zoom). This is scheduled to take place on 12/13 December.
Joint Opera/Vocal applications
You may choose to be considered for the Vocal Studies and Opera Studies courses. In order to audition for both, please select the ‘Joint Application – Opera/Vocal Studies’ option when making an application online.
At the audition, panellists will assess which course would be most appropriate, and successful candidates will be offered a place in either Vocal Studies or Opera Studies. Find out more about audition repertoire for joint vocal/opera applicants.
Repetiteur Studies – Guildhall Artist Masters and Artist Diploma
Live auditions are scheduled to take place in London in January 2024.
You will be required to:
- play and sing two contrasting operatic excerpts of your own choice. At least one extract must be an ensemble
- sight-read from opera vocal scores
- follow a conductor’s beat
- take pronunciation tests in French, German and Italian
If you intend to submit a recorded audition, please note the following:
- Please ensure that you select ‘RECORDED’ in the audition venue field of the application form.
- Instructions about how to upload your video will be sent to you after the application closing date.
- The deadline for all uploaded audition videos is Friday 5 January 2024.
You will be required to upload a video recording demonstrating the following:
- playing and singing two contrasting operatic excerpts of your own choice. At least one extract must be an ensemble
If you are successful in this initial audition, you will be invited to a second round live online audition (via Zoom). This is scheduled to take place in January 2024.
During this audition, you will be required to:
- sight-read from opera vocal scores (via video/screen-sharing)
- follow a conductor’s beat (via video/screen-sharing)
- take pronunciation tests in French, German and Italian
Advanced Certificate
Audition requirements are the same as those for the Guildhall Artist Masters Performance Pathway.
Artist Diploma – additional information (Singers and Repetiteurs)
Applicants who are successful in the initial audition round will be required to submit the below (you will be contacted following your audition):
- an up-to-date artistic CV
- a recent recording (made within the last year).
These items will be reviewed by the Artist Diploma Panel as part of the second round of consideration.
