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

• MMus in Opera: admissions • program requirements
• Diploma in Operatic Performance

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 2009-2010 year are: 

Haydn: Il Mondo della Luna Nov. 5, 6, 7 - 7:30pm Nov. 8 - 2:30pm Miah Im, conductor Michael Patrick Albano & Erik Thor, co-directors Bernstein: Candide Feb. 4, 5, 6 - 7:30pm Feb. 7 - 2:30pm David Briskin, conductor Doreen Rao, choral director Michael Patrick Albano, director  Mozart: "He wrote the words"  Staged scenes from Le nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan tutte and Don Giovanni.  Mar. 20 - 7:30pm Mar. 21 - 2:30pm Walter Hall Spotlight on Opera A discussion by members of the creative team with excerpts performed by the cast. Il Mondo della Luna - Oct. 8 - 12:10 pm, Herman Geiger Torel Room - Free Candide - Jan. 21 - 12:10 pm, Walter Hall - Free The Essential Hamlet Six scenes adapted from Shakespeare's Hamlet, set to music by the Faculty of Music's student composers. Mar. 9 - 4:00pm, MacMillan Theatre stage - Free OPERA TEAS An afternoon of opera and tea on the theatre stage. Sundays at 2:30 pm. MacMillan Theatre  Dec. 6  Bizet: Carmen An abridged version of one of the most exciting and melodic scores in the operatic repertory.  Feb. 28  Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin Staged scenes from the composer's romantic masterpiece.

For information about attending this season's events, please check the listings for Opera and Opera Teas in the Events section of the website.

Past Major Productions

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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