I.The Opera Diploma Program at the Faculty

Singers

The Diploma in Operatic Performance is an advanced diploma offering training to singers in the modern concepts of the lyric stage. It is designed to prepare them through vocal and operatic experiences for professional operatic careers. Practical training is 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. The program requires two or three years of full-time residency.

Operatic Repetiteur

This is a two year program designed to train pianists in the work of the Operatic Repetiteur. The program prepares students for the varied and demanding responsibilities in a professional opera company.

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.

Along with a thorough musical education and a keen interest in Opera, a high level of keyboard proficiency is essential.

Stage Director

This is a two-year course of study, within the Diploma in Operatic Performance program, designed to train operatic stage directors. Along with a strong interest in the directorial aspect of Opera, the ability to read music is essential. Only one candidate is accepted on an annual basis.

II. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

a) Academic Requirements:

Present proof of completion of the Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.
Present proof of English Facility if required. More information on acceptable options for proof of English facility is available on the Admissions and Awards website.

b) Audition Requirements:

Operatic Repetiteur

• Piano piece of not more than five minutes to show technical proficiency.
• Any two operatic arias, in any language, to be sung and played simultaneously.
• Two operatic excerpts from below to be played, and sung where possible.
• One of the following:
• 1. Trio “Cosa sento” - Le nozze di Figaro (Mozart) Act I in Italian
• 2. Duet “All’idea di quel metallo” - Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Rossini) & Act I in Italian
• One of the following:
• 1. Scene beginning “Je vais danser en votre honneur” through to entry of chorus Carmen (Bizet) Act II in French
• 2. Scene beginning “Mimi! - Speravo di trovarvi qui” through to end of Mimi’s aria “Donde lieta” -La Bohème (Puccini) Act III in Italian.
• Orchestral Music – From ONE of the following:
• 1. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Introduction to Act III
• 2. Carmen (Bizet) Prelude to Act IV
• Sight Reading
• Interview with Music Staff and Stage Directors of the Opera Division.

Note: Applicants should be aware that any of the music they have selected to play may be used as material to demonstrate an ability to play under the direction of a conductor.

Stage Director

• Interview and staging audition with Music Staff and Stage Directors of the Opera Division

Singers

There are 2 parts to the audition for singers:

• 1.  A pre-audition DVD is required and must be received by the Faculty of Music by the supporting document deadline. 
• Repertoire required for the DVD: Two contrasting operatic arias.    
• 2.  Based on the Admission Committee's assessment of the DVD, applicants may be invited to a live audition and interview. 
• Repertoire required for the audition in person:  Three operatic arias of contrasting style in at least two languages. One must be in English (original or translation).  Please note:  applicants who are invited to audition in person, may choose to repeat one or both of the arias from the pre-audition DVD

III. HOW TO APPLY

1. All applicants must complete the relevant application form. 

   Operatic Singer Application

   Operatic Repetiteur Application

   Student Stage Director Application

• This must be submitted with a non-refundable fee of $60.00 (bank draft or money order ONLY payable to the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music).
2. Official transcripts from all the institutions that you have attended should accompany your application.
3. Return your completed application, by mail, or in person to:

The Admissions & Recruitment Officer
Faculty of Music
University of Toronto
Edward Johnson Building
80 Queen's Park
Toronto Ontario
M5S 2C5

Application Deadline:  Applications and required application fee must be postmarked no later than December 1, 2011. 

Supporting Document Deadline:  All supporting documentation (transcripts, English Facility (if required) and pre-audition DVD (DVD for singers only)) must be received by the Faculty of Music by December 15, 2011.

Auditions for those Singers invited to audition will be held on February 25, 2012. 

Applicants to the Repetiteur and Stage Director options will be contacted by the Opera Division to schedule an audition.

Financial Support

All applicants are considered automatically for scholarships; there is no other application needed. A number of the awards require the recipient to be an Ontario resident and be able to demonstrate financial need. Ontario residents who consider themselves in financial need are strongly encouraged to complete the Financial need assessment form.


Financial Need Form (Click here to download the PDF document)