DATE: Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival Summer Program will be held from June 27 through August 7, 2022 (travel to Catania Fontanarossa Airport).
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
March 1, 2022
Mediterranean Opera Studio & Festival provides a unique opportunity to orchestra musicians to tackle important operatic works in cooperation with experienced orchestra leaders, and high level conductors. Understanding the style and tradition of opera through hard work with experienced mentor/musicians gives the young orchestra musician an invaluable growing skill set.
AUDITIONS:
Applications should be accompanied by a video recording of the relevant orchestral excerpt and a piece of the candidate’s choosing. In addition to the relevant orchestra excerpt also a piece of the candidate’s choosing, Flute & Oboe applicants should also send a short excerpt or piece on the related instrument (Piccolo and Cor Anglais).
Please send audition material to our Orchestra Managers Danny and Alison Miller: argyllquartet@gmail.com
The audition material —> MOSF Orchestral Audition Excerpts
Program details
Orchestra musicians have the chance to collaborate in bringing to life the MOS Festival in Eastern Sicily. MOSF is first and foremost a training program. Our training program has the goal of preparing artists for Opera.
Our orchestra musicians are led and mentored by professional orchestral players in the art of playing in an opera orchestra. Chamber music coaching will also be offered to all participants. Work in a collaborative way with your mentor and develop a greater understanding of both artistic and practical aspects of your art.
All orchestral musicians will be expected to perform in outside venues. Successful candidates should ensure they have suitable instrument insurance in place for the duration of the Festival or a secondary instrument for playing outdoors.
Instrumentalists should have their individual orchestral parts thoroughly prepared before arriving in Sicily (this applies to Tutti Strings). Some work will be done virtually before arriving in Sicily. Participants who are not prepared on arrival at the Festival will risk losing their position in the orchestra and forfeiting their place at the Festival – losing their deposit to pay for a suitable cover. This decision will be at the discretion of the Concert-Masters and/or Principal Conductors.
The health and well-being of our orchestral musicians is paramount. Applicants should note that the physical and mental demands of a repertory structured opera orchestra are incredibly high. Instrumentalists should be prepared and expect a busy schedule of rehearsals and performances.
Our Maestri in 2022 arrive to you from The Metropolitan Opera of New York, Royal Opera House Covent Garden – London, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and The Teatro Massimo Bellini of Catania. All orchestra musicians should approach rehearsal and performance in a punctual, focused, and respectful way. All participants are expected to maintain the highest standard of ethical, moral, and professional behavior.
Repertoire 2021
2021 Festival Schedule includes:
- La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
- Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini
- Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
- Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
- Opera concerts featuring selections from operas
- Opera overtures, chamber music, and solo pieces for orchestra and orchestra members.
Costs
Orchestra musicians will pay a significantly discounted housing fee for their room and board – a total of $500 (approx. $14/day), which includes breakfast and lunch at our facility every day, housing (single occupancy room with individual bathroom), weekly laundry service, transportation to and from airport*, all training (including Italian class and any masterclass offered), all performances, transportation to MOSF events, programmed tourism.
However, all orchestra members must pay an $800 security deposit to secure their position in the program. Therefore, the initial enrollment deposit is $1300. The $800 security deposit will be returned to the orchestra musician at the completion of the program.
Housing deposit ($500) is NOT refundable under any circumstance, and security deposit ($800) will be refunded if participation is cancelled by April 15, or at completion of the program.
All participants are responsible for their own airfare to Catania.
* In order to be eligible for airport transportation, arrival and departure must occur within a specific window on check in/check out day – as follows:
- Arrival Catania Fontanarossa Airport June 20th, pickup at 3:00pm and 7:00 pm
- Departure Fontanarossa July 26th (1st bus to airport will be at 6:30 am – arrival at airport around 7:45 am).
Any transportation outside the provided bus schedule is the responsibility of the participant.