DATE: Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival Summer Program will be held from June 22 through July 25, 2020 (Arrival Catania Fontanarossa Airport June 21st, and departure July 27th).
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
Extended to April 1, 2020
COVID situation: The coronavirus outbreak in Italy has been very serious, but has largely effected the Northern Regions of Lombardia and Veneto. Sicily with its population of over 5 million has seen less than 100 cases so far, but this may change.
We suggest to all orchestra participants to purchase CFAR Travel Insurance (cancel for any reason), and to ensure about $3000 worth of expense. This should cover travel and tuition.
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).
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). 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 2020 arrive to you from The Metropolitan Opera of New York (Caren Levine), Royal Opera House Covent Garden – London (Sonia Ben-Santamaria), and The Teatro Massimo Bellini of Catania (Leonarado Catalanotto). 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 2020
2020 Festival Schedule includes:
- La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini
- Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini
- Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
- 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), 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 a $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 21st, pickup at 3:00pm and 7:00 pm
- Departure Fontanarossa July 27th (1st bus to airport will be at 6:30 am – arrival at airport around 7:45 am).