Course details

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THE VOICE OF TRAGEDY IN ENGLISH AND ITALIAN BAROQUE OPERA

5 - 14 July 2024

 

This intensive 9-day course is part of the West Bohemian Baroque festival. At the end, three performances of the studied material are planned. In addition to individual lessons in solo singing and interpretation of early music, there will also be simultaneous rehearsals with our stage director Kristina Machoňová and choir rehearsals with Music Director James Gray.

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COURSE INCLUDES

Daily singing lessons for all participants

Interpretation classes with Director James Gray

Daily choir practice

Daily solo performance opportunities during the evening block, open to all participants

Lectures on baroque interpretation

Active participation in 3 performances

Receiving a certificate of participation in the course

 

COURSE PARTICIPATION COSTS

€400 - total price including accommodation (€280 fee and €120 for accommodation) due by June 20. A deposit of €100 is due by April 30. For soloists (the cast of opera scenes) deposit by March 30.)

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ACCOMMODATIONS

House of St. Jan Nepomucký in Perník - this is the place where we will live and rehearse. It offers accommodation type catering for 2 - 4 people per room (and bathroom for 1 - 2 rooms). If you would like private accommodation, please look at some of the many options in the area, as Pernink is a sought-after location for winter sports and offers plenty of accommodation options. Alternatively, feel free to contact us if you need assistance.

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FOODS

In the House of St. Jana Nepomucký has a common kitchen and there are pubs and restaurants nearby.

 

TERMS OF YOUR PARTICIPATION

Video auditions are required for those interested in solo roles, as follows:

Purcell:

Dido - soprano / mezzo-soprano

Aeneas - tenor / upper baritone

1. Sailor - tenor

3 witches: mezzo-soprano

               1st soprano

                 2nd soprano

Monteverdi:

Arianna - mezzo-soprano / soprano

Dorilla - soprano

Fishermen (quintet): soprano

                                  alto

                                  contralto / higher tenor / countertenor

                                  tenor / upper baritone

                                  bass

Send the completed application form and two video recordings (at least one of which must be baroque) to the following e-mail addresses by February 15. All other participants, please send the completed application no later than April 30, 2024:

 

Applications: j.vacikova@volny.cz

Recordings: marketamalcova420@gmail.com

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Those who will not be cast but still want to rehearse/perform a solo aria, please bring 1 or 2 early baroque arias of your choice (or ask us for help). If you are participating in our course for the first time, we would greatly appreciate an audio recording of a piece of your choice.

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If you have your own baroque costume available, please let us know and we will put you in touch with our costume designer Gabriela Machová. The costume for the choir will be detailed on this page by the month of May.

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After we receive your applications, deposits and videos, we will confirm your participation in the course. The casting of the soloists will be announced on March 15.

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During the course, we will strictly follow an intensive schedule for all participants. A professional attitude (both in terms of discipline and willingness to cooperate, focus and respond) will be required from each participant, regardless of their previous musical experience. Knowing your parts well when you come to the course will allow you to focus on your vocal work and musical interpretation during the lesson. It will also greatly simplify the course of the exams and help us all to have a joyful and successful performance at the end of the course.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE

Jana Vacíková

+420 604319122

j.vacikova@volny.cz

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​We are looking forward to seeing you all there!

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James, Junko, Markéta, Kinga & Jana

 

 

 

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