Opera Workshop is an intensive course offered each spring that culminates in fully-staged and costumed public performances at the Majestic Theater. Auditions are held during the fall semester, and repertoire is selected from operas and operettas in a range of styles and languages, as appropriate for the students admitted. In conjunction with polished musical preparation, this course is designed to aid in developing the skills necessary for role preparation, such as in-depth character analysis, text translation, acting, and body movement. Students learn to work collaboratively on a multifaceted creative project, and gain professional skills such as crafting a program bio and writing a résumé. Opera Workshop includes a field trip to attend an opera in surrounding metropolitan areas, providing students with the opportunity to experience live performances by singers and orchestras of a professional caliber.
Recent productions have included scenes from Mozart operas and Ravel’s L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, full productions of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in traditional and contemporary interpretations, Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, Menotti’s Old Maid and the Thief, Michael Ching’s Speed Dating Tonight!, and a digital production of Pauline Viardot’s Cendrillon.
- Course Information: Opera Workshop is a full-credit course offered every Spring semester. This course meets on Mondays and Fridays from 4:00-6:00pm, culminating in two fully-staged performances at the Majestic Theater.
- Auditions: Auditions are announced and held in the fall semester. Students are expected to perform an appropriate art song or aria. Callbacks may include excerpts from the opera under consideration. Results are posted by the end of the fall semester so students can memorize roles over winter break.
- An accompanist will be provided and résumés with photos are requested, if available.
- All students are encouraged to audition for Opera Workshop, but must be able to read music and sing in the language of the chosen production.
Please contact Dr. Susan Hochmiller, shochmil@gettysburg.edu, for additional information.
