Freiburg Opera Studio

Freiburg University of Music and Theater Freiburg have been offering a four-semester postgraduate course Freiburg Opera Studio since the winter semester 2016/17. It gives especially talented young singers the chance to gather their first professional experience at a German opera house while at the same time perfecting their technical abilities at a renowned university. It pursues the innovative concept of combining professional work with a modern university education tailored to the individual needs of students.

The Freiburg Opera Studio constitutes an exclusive focus within the course Konzertexamen/Meisterklasse at Freiburg University of Music, and is designed for outstanding vocal students holding a master’s degree. In exceptional cases, students with a bachelor’s degree can be admitted if they show promise of exceptional artistic develompent.

Students of the Freiburg Opera Studio receive a scholarship from Freiburg University of Music, in this way the students have effectively no tuition fees and they also get a scholarship from the TheaterFreunde Freiburg as a contribution to the general cost of living.

Goals

The goal of the Freiburg Opera Studio is to prepare advanced vocal students specifically for an opera career. It will provide the singers with their first experience of working as part of a professional opera ensemble or opera company; in parallel, in their studies at Freiburg University of Music, the individual needs of the different students will be addressed and the curriculum will be treated flexibly to respond to their personal strengths and weaknesses.

From the beginning of the winter semester, the students study at Freiburg University of Music and at the same time they are members of the singing ensemble of the Freiburg Theater. From this point on, the students will also receive a monthly grant of 1,100 euros from the TheaterFreunde Freiburg.

At the theater, the young singers rehearse specialized roles and have the opportunity to perform in productions. At the same time, they receive extensive coaching and advice from the theater’s artistic management.

Studies

Students of the Freiburg Opera Studio are enrolled at Freiburg University of Music and are guided by voice professors of the University to the extent of one semester hour per week. This mentoring may include traditional vocal instruction, as well as various forms of coaching, rehearsal supervision, scenic work, etc.

In the course of the first semester, the examination committee stipulates which kind of tasks have to be achieved by the students.

Course

  • Guidance and coaching from professors at Freiburg University of Music
  • Individualized course schemes
  • Support from the artistic management office in preparing for auditions and career advice at the Theater Freiburg for the time after completion of the course
  • Audition training: choice of repertoire, provision of concrete theatre experience through internal auditions (one per semester) at the Theater Freiburg in cooperation with the supervising vocal teachers at Freiburg University of Music
  • Rehearsing principal roles in coordination with the management team of the theatre
  • Consultations with the theatre’s music director and director of studies at least once per semester
  • Covering and rehearsing principal roles from the repertoire of the Theater Freiburg
  • Appearances in minor roles, and potentially medium and principal roles depending on ability and opportunities, and / or
  • Participation in a gala concert at the theatre with orchestra and / or
  • A song recital at the Theater Freiburg or Freiburg University of Music
  • A scholarship to cover the regular tuition fees
  • A monthly support of 1,100 euros (starting 1 September, for a total of 24 months)

Application deadline for the winter semester 2024/2025
1 December 2023

Application via the university portal of Freiburg University of Music.

Please note: Non-native German speaking applicants have to proof German language proficiency level B1 GER  (Zertifikat Deutsch B1).

The aptitude tests will take place in the period from 26 February to 03 March 2024.

 

Contact Theater Freiburg
Bertoldstraße 46
79098 Freiburg

Phone +49 761 2012853
www.theater.freiburg.de