I just had a nice chat with one of my longtime agent friends and received an informative email from another, both at ZAV (Zentrale Auslands und Fachvermittlung / Central Foreign and Professional Placement). They had lots to say, not only about the mechanics of applying for an audition at ZAV, but also about how things are today with theaters and young singers, and what singers need these days to have a chance at a career in Germany…
If you are really ready to audition in Germany this fall (see our Start Here page on opergermany.com) now is the best time to contact ZAV, even though almost everyone is on summer vacation (“Sommer Ferien”). Emails will be processed in the order received, so get in line now. Be patient since it will take time (typically around 2-3 months) to get an answer but if you’re thinking of auditioning in October or November this is the time to write ZAV. You can write one or all of the offices to request an audition. If you plan to be based in one city and don’t want to travel around unnecessarily you can write the nearest ZAV office. If you plan to travel around you can write them all in the hopes of getting an audition date which best suits your plans.
The process is much the same as it’s been: send a complete bio and repertoire list along with links to high quality videos, audio samples and photos. These days a well done website is important and it should be current. If your last date was 2020 it will probably be held against you, as unfair as that is. Avoid low quality videos or echoey recordings. Studio recordings are fine but don’t hang onto the piano! They want to see you move.
HERE ARE THE ZAV OPER EMAILS FOR AUDITION REQUESTS
Berlin:
E-Mail: zav-kv-berlin@arbeitsagentur.de
Contact Name: Berenike Jürgens
Hamburg
E-Mail: zav-kv-hamburg@arbeitsagentur.de
Contact Name: Ingo J. Jander
Köln
E-Mail: zav-kv-koeln@arbeitsagentur.de
Contact Names: Axel Mendrok, Thomas Burger
Leipzig
E-Mail: zav-kv-leipzig@arbeitsagentur.de
Contact Name: Steffen Piontek
München
E-Mail: zav-kv-muenchen@arbeitsagentur.de
Contact Names: Gabriele Kodama, Christine Strasser