Since its beginnings as the Opera School in 1946, the university's opera programme has built up an impressive list of alumni, including Jon Vickers, Teresa Stratas, Ermanno Mauro, Rosemarie Landry, Mark Pedrotti, Russell Braun
, Adrianne Pieczonka and Sally Dibblee. Two full-scale productions with orchestra are presented annually in the MacMillan Theatre, which has one of the best-equipped opera stages in Canada. In addition, several smaller workshop performances are presented during the year.
Classes include individual and ensemble coaching in operatic repertoire, stage movement, acting, diction, dance, Alexander technique, master-classes, make-up and individual instruction in voice. The Diploma programme is also open to a small number of student repetiteurs and directors. Close links are maintained with the Canadian Opera Company; students may attend dress rehearsals, and events such as masterclasses and symposiums are presented jointly.
Admission is by audition, held in the MacMillan Theatre in March or April. Three contrasting arias in at least two languages (including English) are to be presented to a panel of staff members.
Degrees Offered
The Diploma in Operatic Performance is an advanced diploma, requiring two years of full-time study. An additional year of study can be arranged for suitable candidates. The diploma is designed to prepare students through vocal and operatic experience for professional operatic careers.
The course offers training to singers in the modern concepts of the lyric stage and is designed to prepare them for professional operatic careers. Practical and academic training are combined with the opportunity to prepare and perform a wide variety of operatic material. Students are also able to accept amateur or professional engagements during the school year by permission of the staff.
Operatic Repetiteur Programme
The Opera Division of the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto , offers a two year programme designed to train pianists in the work of the Operatic Repetiteur. All appropriate instruction and classes offered by the Opera Division will be available as well as private study with members of the Music Staff. Students will play for rehearsals and classes, assist in productions and ultimately work with singers.
In general, the programme is devised to prepare the student for various and demanding responsibilities expected in a professional Opera Company. Enrolment is limited and admission will be by audition and interview (by appointment). Along with a thorough musical education and a keen interest in Opera, a high level of keyboard proficiency is essential.
Student Stage Director
This is a two-year course of study, within the Diploma in Operatic Performance program, designed to train operatic stage directors.
To receive application information, please contact Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment: undergrad.music@utoronto.ca or phone 416.978.3741.
Faculty
- Michael Patrick Albano, Senior Lecturer, Resident Stage Director
- Russell Braun, Resident Operatic Performance Specialist
- Sandra Horst, Senior Lecturer and Director of Musical Studies
- Miah Im, Lecturer & Principal Coach and Conductor
- Andrea Grant & Kate Carver, Music Staff
- Allison Grant, Choreographer/Movement
- Stuart Hamilton, French Diction
- Manuela Scarci, Italian Language Instructor
- Eraine Schwing Braun, German Diction
- Kelly McEvenue, Alexander Technique Instructor
- Iain Scott, Opera Education
- Constance Fisher, Director Emeritus
- Fred Perruzza, Director of Operations, MacMillan Theatre
Performances
Full-scale productions with the University of Toronto Symphony Orchestra are presented twice yearly in the Faculty’s own 815 seat MacMillan Theatre. In addition, a number of concerts, workshops and staged excerpt programmes are presented midterm and at the end of the final semester.
Productions for the 2011-2012 year are:
OPERA TEA
An afternoon of opera and tea on the theatre stage.
A Menotti Double Bill
October 23, 2011, 2:30 pm | MacMillan Theatre | Tickets: $30 (Not eligible for FlexiMIX discount)
In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the composer’s birth, we present two zany one-act comedies, The Telephone and Amelia Goes to the Ball.
A POULENC DOUBLE BILL
La Voix Humaine &
Les Mamelles de Tirésias
From the melodic pen of Francis Poulenc come two one-act works of stunning theatrical contrast. La Voix Humaine [The Human Voice] portrays the heart wrenching grief of a woman’s final farewell to her lover while Les Mamelles de Tirésias [The Breasts of Tirésias] brilliantly satirizes feminism, fertility drugs and “family values”.
Sandra Horst conductor
Michael Patrick Albano & Erik Thor directors
Thursday, Friday, Saturday | December 1, 2 & 3, 2011 | 7:30 pm
Sunday | December 4, 2011 | 2:30 pm
MacMillan Theatre | $30 ($20*) | FlexiMIX: $24
A pre-performance opera chat will be given 30 minutes prior to each performance in room 130.Spotlight on Opera - Join us for a free preview of the opera with excerpts performed by the cast on Thursday, November 11 at noon in Walter Hall
Spotlight on Opera - Join us for a free preview of the opera with excerpts performed by the cast on Thursday, November 10 at 12:10 pm in Walter Hall.
Mozart: Così fan tutte
Through intrigue and disguise, love’s lessons are deeply learned in Mozart’s final, towering collaboration with Lorenzo da Ponte.
Miah Im conductor
Michael Patrick Albano director
Thursday, Friday, Saturday | March 8, 9 & 10, 2012 | 7:30 pm
Sunday | March 11, 2012 | 2:30 pm
MacMillan Theatre | $30 ($20*) | FlexiMIX: $24
A pre-performance opera chat will be given 30 minutes prior to each performance in room 130.
Spotlight on Opera - Join us for a free preview of the opera with excerpts performed by the cast on Thursday, February 16 at 12:10 pm in Walter Hall.
OPERA STUDENT COMPOSER COLLECTIVE
A staged presentation of original opera scenes created by the Faculty of Music’s student composers. Presented as part of the New Music Festival
Sunday, January 22, 2012 | 2:30 pm | MacMillan Theatre | Free
OPERA TEA
An afternoon of opera and tea on the theatre stage.
La Fille du Régiment
April 1, 2012, 2:30 pm | MacMillan Theatre | Tickets: $30 (Not eligible for FlexiMIX discount)
The Daughter of the Regiment -
a special abridged version of Donizetti’s delightful comedy of an orphan girl raised by a regiment of musical soldiers.
For information about attending this season's events, please check the listings for Opera and Opera Teas in the Events section of the website.
Curriculum
Classes are held between l0am and 6pm five days a week. They consist of individual and ensemble coaching in operatic repertoire, individual instruction in voice, coaching in Italian, French, German and English diction, stage movement, acting, dance and make-up.
Masterclasses
For information about forthcoming masterclasses, please check the Events section of the website. In past years masterclasses have been given by:
- Russell Braun
- Gerald Finley
- Stuart Hamilton
- Carol Isaac
- Martin Isepp
- Emma Kirkby
- Rosemarie Landry
- Adrianne Pieczonka
- Michael Schade
- Elizabeth Upchurch
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