drop O perafestival di Roma is a non-profit educational institution that offers opportunities to musicians from all nations to study and perform opera in Italy in the summer. Performances in 2008 will be given in the beautiful 15th Century courtyard of S. Ivo alla Sapienza in central Rome. They are fully staged with original costumes and lighting and are accompanied by the Orchestra Sinfonica dell’International Chamber Ensemble. Three weeks of masterclasses, coaching, lessons in lyric diction, voice and conversational Italian, and rehearsals for the opera provided by a distinguished faculty result in a week-long series of opera performances, recitals, opera scene performances, and concerts.

Live Auditions:

Spartanburg, SC, November 3, 2007
Richmond, Va, November 17, 2007
New York City, December 8, 2007
Tempe, AZ, Feb. 1 2008
Los Angeles, CA, Feb. 2, 2008
Minneapolis, MN, Feb 8 2008
Boston, MA, Feb 9 2008
San Francisco, CA, Feb. 16, 2008
Gainesville, FL, Feb. 16, 2008
Washington, DC, Feb. 23, 2008

Exciting new opportunity for instrumentalists!

Our production of Suor Angelica will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra composed of Operafestival participants. Positions for strings (violin, viola, cello, bass), brass and winds) will be selected by audition. Please call for more information—434-984-4945.

2008 Season

Die Zauberflöte by W. A. Mozart
Suor Angelica by G. Puccini
Vocal Recitals, Concerts and Opera Scenes

Positions are open for all lead and supporting roles, ensemble, accompanists/coaches, voice teachers, stage managers, and lighting, costume and prop technicians.

Festival Dates

July 1-28, 2008

Performing Dates

Die Zauberflöte—July 22, 23, 25, 26
Suor Angelica— July 24, 27

Productions

Past productions have included Die lustige Witwe (1999, 2006), Gloria (2006), Die Zauberflöte (1995, 1998, 2000,2004), Don Giovanni (2002, 2007), I Pagliacci (1997), Il barbiere di Siviglia (2000), Cosi fan tutte (1999), La serva padrona (2005), L'elisir di amore (1996, 2003), Le nozze di Figaro (1996, 2001, 2005), Suor Angelica (1997, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), and Stabat Mater (2005).

All productions are sung in the original language with much of the training emphasis placed on diction and style. Each leading role is double cast, providing singers with the rehearsal and stage time necessary to develop the role fully. Voice and diction training and masterclasses are designed to enhance this experience. Each opera is staged with original costumes, props, and lighting planned for the production by our design team.

In Loving Memory

Louisa Panou, founder of Operafestival di Roma, passed away in her home in Charlottesville, Virginia, on January 16, 2006. The cause was pancreatic cancer. Read more.