The International Opera Course at Oper Oder Spree has been a meeting place for many young artists from Germany and abroad for decades. The International Opera Course has set itself the task of supporting students and graduates of music and art academies in their vocal training and giving them valuable opportunities for practical stage experience. In the meantime, the course is known far beyond the borders of Germany and participants from many different European countries as well as from America, Asia and Australia have benefited from it. Thanks to this international recognition, it has been possible in recent years to involve outstanding artists in the projects, who contribute to the overall success of the events. The current course will take place from 09.08.2023 to 28.08.2023 at Beeskow Castle.
The International Opera Course alternates annually with an opera production from 2023 onwards. The 2024 production builds on both this year’s opera course and this year’s opera production of “A Little Midsummer Night’s Dream” for children. It will develop “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in its own version with music from different adaptations of Shakespeare’s classic and perform it outdoors at different locations in East Brandenburg.
The next regular opera course is planned for summer 2025.
Course content and implementation
The course has distinguished itself in particular by the fact that, in addition to lessons, participants take part in performances under professional conditions and in front of large audiences. The individual performances are prepared in compact group and individual lessons with the singing teachers and accompanists. In addition, there are drama lessons and courses in breathing techniques. With vocal coach Snežana Nena Brzaković, opera singer Bernhard Hansky and the three accompanists Insa Bernds, Alexej Ilenko and Evgeny Nikiforov, the International Opera Course has experienced and renowned teachers at its disposal. Since 2017, the experienced choral and orchestral conductor Vinzenz Weissenburger (Berlin Staatsoper) has been assisting the participants in the intensive preparation and performance of the opera gala together with the Prussian Chamber Orchestra. As a trained opera director, Prof. Lars Franke passes on his diverse experience in the production collage “Opera in the Barn”. In addition, there is professional development coaching to prepare the young singers for audition situations and the process of gaining employment in opera. All participants, the vocal coach and accompanist are accommodated in Beeskow Castle for the duration of the course. The castle offers ideal working conditions for the entire ensemble with its studios, concert hall (each equipped with piano/ grand piano) and picturesque inner courtyard.
Participants
The International Opera Course is aimed at young singers who are studying at German or foreign music academies and conservatoires and/or are already active as professional artists. Through the awarding of scholarships and prizes as well as the use of subsidies, it is possible to keep the young singers’ financial contribution to their stay and tuition as low as possible. In total, the 2023 course has capacity for up to 12 participants.
Performances
All participants of the opera course take part in the preparation and development of the opera collage “Opera in the Barn” with three performance dates. The course will conclude with three further performances of the festive opera gala, at which the participants will be accompanied by the Prussian Chamber Orchestra. This year, for the first time, we will also establish the opera gala at a location in Bad Saarow. Within two and a half weeks, there will be six events at different performance venues with different thematic focuses. This gives the participants the opportunity to perform and develop their skills in front of the audience with the support of the singing teachers and accompanists.
