Larry Bakst

As you prepare for your trip to Germany for fall audition opportunities, it is important to keep in mind that the German system is still greatly affected by the aftershock of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the continued attack on Ukraine. There is a greater amount (more than usual) of fine Ukrainian and Russian …

The Effects From The War In Ukraine & Covid-19 On Performance Opportunities & Auditions. Read More »

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 …

Don’t Wait! The Time Is NOW To Apply For The Fall 2023 ZAV Auditions! Read More »

20 April: The Children’s Opera Orchestra gives its first concert at FESTTAGE 2019 under the musical direction of Daniel Barenboim and Max Renne – with Rolando Villazón and Serena Sáenz as soloists. On 20 April at 11 a.m. the Children’s Opera Orchestra will make its debut at the FESTTAGE in the Great Hall of the …

Opera for Kids and Grownups at the Staatsoper Berlin Read More »

Berlin Summer. Live open air broadcast of Tristan und Isolde in front of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden June 15. Live concert the next day featuring the orchestra and it’s first violinist.

I first went to the Wiener Staatsoper-Vienna State Opera- when I was rehearsing and performing Florestan at the nearby Klosterneuburg Summer Festival. One of the best features of this great opera house was that Standing Room tickets were €2! This was 2007 and now they cost €10—AN OUTRAGE!! — but pretty cheap all the same. …

New Vienna Season Read More »

Germany Appears To Be Getting It Together At Last! Vaccinations are finally beginning to proceed for larger portions of the population. In Berlin for example, my son and daughter in law, who are in their 30’s, are scheduled for their first shots next week, so by the Fall things will be on their way to …

A Shot In the Arm For Auditions In Germany Read More »

The Fach system covers all of the roles in almost all of the operas regularly performed in Germany. This vast and complex system can be confusing. Luckily the Fach database lets you search and sort through roles with a variety of useful filters and search tools so you can find exactly what you need to …

What is the Fach Database? Read More »