Larry Bakst

I made my career in German theaters for more than 25 years. I sang in over 50 different theaters in virtually every region of that country. Productions based in German theaters took him three times on tours of Japan, twice around the world, and to engagements in Rio de Janeiro, Paris, Rome, Madrid, among many others.

COMING SOON—A DIGITAL GUIDE TO THE FACH SYSTEM!

Find out with a click how your roles and audition arias fit into the German operatic scene. For beginners and professional singers, agents, and even casting directors, this authoritative database lists the vast majority of operas performed in Germany, their roles, and the standard Fach designations, as well as audition arias from major roles, all …

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Recent Conversations with Agents and Theaters: Problems and Prospects

A Dark Winter for theaters. According to recent conversations with opera professionals in Germany, German theaters are shut down until at least the end of January, probably longer. Beneath the surface there’s a dichotomy between agents, who are in limbo, and theaters, which strange as it may seem, are very busy dealing with the effects …

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Fach, Fächer and You

What is it? It’s a system for organizing, assigning and understanding operatic and operetta roles, voices and the requirements for successful, sustainable performances of the operatic repertoire in theaters over time. It reflects practical necessities as well as aesthetic and cultural choices. It is incorporated into singers’ contracts and can be binding on both parties …

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Theater Overview

Theaters A JOB IS A JOB, BUT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE! Recently a long time opera house administrator who is now teaching in Berlin complained that young American singers would audition one day for the theater in Hof, the next for Hamburg and have no idea of the difference. It’s great to be egalitarian and enthusiastic, …

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Oper Leipzig Begins Ticket Sales For June 19

I just got an email announcing resumption of theater performances with audiences. Germany’s restrictions are easing, and while each Bundesland (the equivalent of States) has different procedures, my assumption is that many theaters will be doing the same, if they haven’t already. There will probably be audience size restrictions and perhaps limitations on orchestra and/or …

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