National Opera Program

It is was with great pride and pleasure earlier this year that Victorian Opera announced the establishment of a new National Opera Program to begin operating in 2012. The program is a collaboration between Victorian Opera, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music and University of Melbourne.

Victorian Opera is excited to announce the selection of eight opera singers for the 2012 National Graduate Opera Program.

Congratulations to:

Carlos Barcenas Ramirez

Kirilie Blythman

Olivia Cranwell

Georgia Hawes

Christine Heald

Jeremy Kleeman

Timonthy Reynolds

Daniel Todd

The National Opera Program will offer a two-year program including, but not limited to, intensive studies in vocal coaching, Italian language, ensemble singing, role development, acting, English, French, German and Russian diction together with the opportunity to work as a practising singer, if appropriate, within Victorian Opera.

The National Opera Program is an example of a tertiary institution working in close partnership with a professional performing arts company to provide a rigorous and intensive training in the discipline of operatic singing and repetiteur training leading to full professional employment.

Successful completion of this two-year program of study will lead to the awarding of a Master of Music (Opera Performance) from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music at the University of Melbourne as a Master in Music. Further work with Victorian Opera may also be forthcoming.

Throughout the program participants will be assessed continuously and will be advised accordingly after each assessment on the nature of their progress and their position within the program.

On emerging from this program, graduates should be sufficiently equipped with the appropriate skills to audition for any professional opera company with a number of fully-learned roles in the original language, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the nature of the role and its delivery, in context, from an operatic stage.

Enrolments are now closed for the 2012 program. For information about the National Graduate Opera Program, contact David Stroner, Research and Graduate Programs Coordinator (03) 9035 3471.

Richard Gill | Music Director, Victorian Opera

Gary McPherson | Ormond Professor and Director, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, the University of Melbourne

Barry Conyngham | Dean, Faculty of the VCA and Music, the University of Melbourne

2012 National Graduate Opera Program Announcement Media Release