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Last Updated - 2 February 2008   


More than Opera Ltd in Cooperation with
Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden
2009 MTO – German – Australian Opera Grant


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The aim of the German-Australian Opera Grant is to promote emerging Australian Opera Singers, who are in the early stage of their professional career. The grant offers the winner a one-year employment (junior) contract at the Wiesbaden Opera House in Germany plus 2 months language course at a Goethe Institut in Germany as well as a 1 month work experience at the Opera House to gain an insight into the procedures prior to the official start.

Singers are encouraged to apply to be considered for the one year employment contract. As the recipient will become part of the professional ensemble in Wiesbaden from mid/late August 2009 until July/August 2010, a well considered choice has to be made.

The winner has to be in the position to leave Australia for Germany in June 2009 to participate in a one month work-experience at the Hessisches Staatstheater prior to attending a two (2) months German language course at the Goethe Institut. The winner remains in Germany until July/August 2010.

2nd Prize: The second prize winner will receive $3000. 

3rd Prize: The third prize winner will receive $2000. 

4th Prize: The fourth prize winner will receive $1000.

 

Entry Form and Regulations

1.
Applications: Applications close 15th August 2008. Late or incomplete entries may be accepted but only at the judges' discretion.
   
2.
The stages of the competition:
  • At first a personal application (personal introduction), a curriculum vitae, a list with all performed and studied roles (please use formatted template available under registration forms) together with the registration forms submitted by the singer will be considered. Please also send an electronic media (Video/DVD/CD/Music Tape) recording (see details below). This recording will then be analysed by a preliminary judging panel.
    The process of selection for this grant is multifaceted. It therefore differentiates itself from a standard vocal competition. It may involve adjudicators requiring to personally see an applicant in the preliminary selection stage. In that case you will be asked to be auditioned in Melbourne in September 2008.
  • Singers will be notified, by no later than early October, as to whether or not they qualify for entry into the Semi-Finals.
  • Semi-Finals (being a competition): 12 selected Semi-Finalists (6 male / 6 female voices) will be auditioned on 14th November 2008 in central Melbourne, for approx. 20 minutes by an adjudication panel.
  • In the morning, before the individual auditions start, there will be a one-hour stage workshop led by an opera director.
  • The audition not only includes singing but also presentation, acting and working with a conductor. Contestants may be asked to sing an ensemble piece with another singer, for example, a member of the judging panel.

    At the end of the day the 4 Finalists for the Finals Concert (held the following day) will be chosen.
  • Finals Concert (being a competition): four selected Finalists (2 male / 2 female voices) present two arias/excerpts of not more than twenty minutes each before an audience and the judges, who then make their decision.
    The Finals Concert will be held in Federation Square on 15 November 2008.

The Winner will present a program at an operatic reception for sponsors of the Grant before departing to Germany (Farewell Reception) and another reception or “Master Class” upon returning from Germany to give feedback on the overseas experience.

The requirements for each stage of participation in the selection process are set out below.

   
3.
Age: No age limit applies. The nature of the criteria will however let the selection process focus on the age group from the late twenties to the early to mid thirty-year-olds.
   
4.
Citizenship Requirements: Applicants must be Australian citizens. Proof of citizenship will be required with the application. Applicants residing in Australia with no former overseas posting are preferred over applicants who have had an opportunity to sing with an overseas opera house.
   
5. Artistic Qualification: Applicants must have a voice with outstanding operatic quality, artistic aptitude as well as a musical/acting/movement/language background. Operatic stage experience is essential.
   
6.
Language: The recipient will need to gain a sound knowledge of German and must undertake intensive German language study (2 months intensive German language course at a Goethe Institut in Germany). Ideally the singer already starts his/her intensive studies straight after winning the grant (15 December 2008).
   
7. Judging Criteria: Ability of the candidate to perform at a high level on a day-to-day basis in Wiesbaden as part of the professional ensemble.
Acting capacities may be examined during the auditioning process.
   
8.
Arias: Applicants must be prepared to sing five (5) arias/excerpts from the opera and operetta repertoire in the original languages and keys in contrasting styles. Three (3) in German and Two (2) in other languages. One aria must be a Mozart aria. No aria should exceed 8 minutes in length. One excerpt (in German) should be part of an ensemble (e.g. the Trio from Die Zauberflöte). Arias/excerpts are to be listed on the application form (including composers and lengths).
   
9.
Accompanist: The Official Accompanist will be available for the Finals, if required. Applicants must have the music available for all their listed arias/excerpts.
Music submitted for the official accompanist must be neat, clear and legible with all cuts (where appropriate) clearly marked. Music must be bound or put in a scrapbook. No plastic sleeves/ pages are to be used. Music must not infringe the laws of copyright.

The administration of “MTO German-Australian Opera Grant” is to be informed by the Semi-Finalists in case they would like to perform with the official accompanist (4) weeks prior to the finals. Finalists must contact the Official Accompanist at least three (3) weeks prior to the finals to arrange their rehearsal time. The music is to be sent to the Official Accompanist three (3) weeks prior to the finals
   
10.
Travel and Accommodation: In some instances it may be necessary for Semi-Finalists / Finalists to travel to Melbourne on their own account.
Semi-Finalists and potentially Finalists will be offered accommodation with host families in Melbourne. More Than Opera, German-Australian Opera Grant will try everything to keep costs for the singers as low as possible.
   
11.
Availability:The recipient must agree to be available to depart for Wiesbaden in June 2009, and to remain there for fifteen (15) month (minus leave, which may occur at the end of the period). The departure is scheduled for early June 2009 as participation in the language course and the opportunity to gain insight into the Opera House prior to the 12 month engagement are mandatory. This opportunity could only be foregone if the singer is a fluent German speaker. Confirmation of availability to spend the allotted time in Germany will be required in writing from all applicants (by signature on the application form).
   
12.
In the event of the recipient being approached during the term of the contract to fulfil any engagement other than that stipulated by the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden, he/she must, in the first instance, submit this request and relevant details in writing to the Administration of the German-Australian Opera Grant, prior to initiating any approach to the management of the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden. MTO-GAOG will assess the request and inform the recipient of its decision.
   
13.
Entry Fee: Applications must be accompanied by an entry fee of A$35 which is non-refundable except in the event of cancellation of the Grant competition. Cheques and Money Orders should be made out to "More than Opera Ltd". “More than Opera Ltd” will not take responsibility for cash sent through the mail.
   
14. Audition Recording: an electronic media recording which may be a Video/DVD/ CD/Music Tape (no mini-disc can be accepted), will be considered by a preliminary judging panel.

It must:
  • Be no more than one year old.

  • Be of the contestant singing three contrasting arias, one (1) sung in Italian and two (2) in German. One aria must be a Mozart aria.

  • The case must be labelled with name, address and titles; the tape/DVD/CD itself labelled with name and titles only.
15.
Recordings will only be returned at the conclusion of the competition if a suitable stamped self-addressed package is supplied.
   
16.
Programs to be performed in the Semi-Finals/Finals, giving the list of arias/excerpts, their length and the key in which they will be sung, must be submitted with entry for consideration by the judges who will notify contestants if any change is required. One aria must be a Mozart aria.
   
17. The Finals Concert will be held on the 15 November 2008, 3pm at BMW Edge, Federation Square, Melbourne. A maximum of 4 Finalists (2 male / 2 female voices) will be chosen, to perform in front of an audience and an expert panel of musicians and music administrators.
Singers’ programs must not exceed 20 minutes total performance time.
   
18.
The recipient of the grant incurs the obligation to perform at 2 events without remuneration: an operatic reception for Sponsors of the Grant before leaving for Germany and upon return an operatic reception or “Master Class” to give feedback about the overseas experience. He/she is also asked to submit bimonthly e-mail reports about his/her experiences working in Wiesbaden.
   
19.
The Judges' decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into. Judges may, at their discretion, withhold the grant without explanation and give the grant to any person they may determine. In the event a winner is unable or unwilling to fulfil their grant obligations, the Judges reserve the right to rescind and/or re-award the grant. The Adjudication Panel reserve the right to rescind, modify or add to any of the rules and conditions of the competition and the Judges’ interpretation shall be final.
   
20. Checklist. Application Forms are to be completed in full, verified and sent with the following:
  • A personal application covering letter elaborating why the Wiesbaden position would be an ideal match for both the Hessisches Staatstheater and the candidate.

  • A written CV of the singer which should include dates and details of any future engagements. Please give as much information as possible, stating clearly which roles have been studied and which have actually been performed, and where.
  • A list of the repertoire proposed for the Semi-Finals/Finals with the list of arias/excerpts, their length, the composer, and the key in which they will be sung.

  • An electronic media recording (Video/DVD/CD/Music Tape). Please note that Mini-Disks cannot be accepted.

  • A professional photograph of moderate size and quality of the singer should be enclosed. Alternatively such a professional photo could be send as a jpg file via email. (Party photos will not be accepted.)

  • An entry fee of $35 payable to "More than Opera Ltd".
   
 
Please forward these to: Administration of More Than Opera
- German - Australian Opera Grant
203 Victoria Parade
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
   
  For inquiries Fax: (03) 9419 8873 Email: info@mto-gaog.com
Entries and repertoire sent by fax or e-mail only will not be accepted. However we would appreciate your short expression of interest via e-mail before receiving your full application. This will enable efficient processing of all applications.
   

 

When presenting yourself via electronic media recording (Video/DVD/CD/Music Tape):

  • Present yourself at your best on your audition recording. Recording quality should reflect as accurate a sound image of the actual voice as feasible. For example, there should be no artificial reverberation or other electronic effects.

  • Choose works suited to your voice type, which demonstrate your range, diversity and versatility as a performer. Remember, one should be a Mozart aria.

  • Research in detail the context of the works you choose so that you can perform them in an appropriate style.

  • Pay attention to usage and correct pronunciation in all languages. A high standard is expected.

  • Make sure your repertoire can also form the basis of opera and concert programs of professional standard if you are the recipient of the grant.