Larry Bakst

Summer Vacation (Schulferien/Sommerferien), is the six weeks when theaters close and many Germans take long vacations. This will be over by the end of August with two major exceptions; Bayern (where Munich is) and Baden-Würtenburg (where Stuttgart is located). These two Bundesländer (States) always have their summer vacations at the same time. Like all the …

Summer is ending…know when “Sommerferien” ends for each German State! Read More »

Martha Eason has a lot to say to young American singers and you will be able to find it soon, right here on OperGermany. 38 years after I made my way to Germany, it’s wonderful to see that even after the Covid pandemic, a singer can find a life and make a career in a …

Coming Soon: Interview with Martha Eason, Soprano Read More »

Especially since Covid: Don’t infect others! This was true with nasty colds or flu but is even truer since Covid. It is downright inconsiderate and even nasty to infect others so if you think you have something, stay away from others, get it tested and have a little consideration, it’s the neighborly thing to do! …

Speaking of Covid: If You’re Sick, Don’t Sing Read More »

How long are singers affected by Covid? Not the disease itself, but the constraints-vocal, sartorial and professional-under which everyone labored during the Pandemic. Singers, especially young inexperienced ones, got all too used to small rooms and short, often informal sessions. ZAV agents commented that many singers were acclimated to small studios and not used to …

Long Covid? Read More »

School’s Out! As of today(July 18) Berlin is officially in Sommer Ferien. The starting date varies from State to State so everyone won’t be gone at the same time and the roads won’t all be jammed, For Germans, school vacation is everyone’s vacation. Six weeks although not everyone is required to take time off during …

School’s Out! Schulfrei! Read More »

My wife is a regular at a European opera program and recently observed that singers trained here combine stagecraft and drama with their singing, while American trained singers concentrate on singing alone. They generally do it very well but it isn’t enough. The goal is goosebumps but the tools are stagecraft, understanding and embodying what …

Don’t Just Stand There! Read More »

EINSPRINGEN (Jump-ins) are a whirlwind an you’ll need good nerves to deal with it. There are basically two types: one where you arrive and perform the same day, and the other, more planned version, where you rehearse a few days before the show. The 2nd kind of Einspringen used to be much more common than it …

Einspringen (Jump-ins): What you NEED to know Read More »

Known as Der Erste Mai (& sometimes Tag der Arbeit), May Day is an ancient festival that began to welcome the spring weather and to “drive away evil spirits”. Today, it is primarily an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers rights, particularly in Berlin. May 1 is a public holiday in all German states. …

Happy May Day! A Long Standing German Holiday… Read More »

It’s Künstlerisches Betriebsbüro, and if THAT rolls off your tongue, your German is pretty darn good! It’s always called the KBB-kah-bay-bay (no dphthong, please) and you’ll probably have more contact with them than anyone else in the administration. Even at auditions, it’s the first place you’ll be directed to. They handle the daily rehearsals and …

If You Can Pronounce This You’re Ready to Work… Read More »

OK, Easter’s done and it’s time to get back to work. Anyone who has recently had a good audition at ZAV or with a private agent should remind them with a short email with the date of your audition and which roles that you’ve performed onstage. You might take a look at operabase.com or theaters’ …

Remember Me? Read More »