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 »
The incredibly complete listing of every department and every employee of every German theater has ceased publication. The familiar red cover and black lettering will no longer list every stage hand, secretary , administrator, chorus member, costume designer-past and present-solo singer whether guest or fest,, prompter umsoweiter anew each year in what was known as “Die große Addressebuch’: the …
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. …
Heather Phillips in rehearsal for Bianca e Falliero at Oper Frankfurt: Photo Credit Karoly Risz Hello OperGermany readers, My name is Heather Phillips. I am an American opera singer, about to make my European Operatic debut in a new production at Oper Frankfurt in the soprano title role of Rossini’s Bianca e Falliero. My path to …
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 …
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 …
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 …