​SUMMER 2017

The Queen of Spades
by Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky

June 5-29, 2017 - Training Session 
Click for online Application Form 2017
June 26 at 7:30 PM - Russian Romances Concert
June 27, 28 & 29 at 7:30 PM - Opera Performances 
Helen Corning Warden Theater at AVA

Opera Roles
Herman - Tenor
Count Tomsky - Baritone
Prince Yeletsky - Baritone
Chekalinsky - Tenor
Surin - Bass
Chaplitsky - Tenor
Narumov - Bass
Master of Ceremonies - Tenor
Countess - Mezzo Soprano
Liza - Soprano
Polina - Contralto/Mezzo
Coverness - Mezzo Soprano
Masha - Soprano
Prilepa (Chlöe) - Soprano
Milovzor (Daphnis) - Contralto/Mezzo
Liza's Friends - Female Ensemble

Synopsis
Obsessed with gambling, Herman regularly watches his friends play cards but himself never places bets. Overhearing a story about a secret of three winning cards, known only to an old Countess who is also ​the grandmother of Herman's love interest Liza, he now becomes obsessed with finding out the secret.

Rusalka
a Bel Canto inspired lyric opera
by Alexander Dargomyzhsky

Philadelphia Premiere

July 10 - August 3, 2017 - Training Session
Click for online Application Form 2017
July 31 at 7:30 PM - Russian Romances Concert
August 1, 2 & 3 at 7:30 PM - Opera Performances 
Helen Corning Warden Theater at AVA

"Rusalka" - Painting by Anna Vinogradova

Opera Roles
The Miller - Bass
Natasha, his daughter, later Rusalka - Soprano
The Prince - Tenor
The Princess - Mezzo Soprano
Olga, an orphan devoted to The Princess - Soprano
Matchmaker - Baritone
Water Spirits - Female Ensemble
Rusalochka, 12 years old - spoken role 


Synopsis
​The Miller's daughter Natasha, an expectant mother, is jilted by the Prince who plans to marry another woman instead. In despair, Natasha drowns in the Dnieper River and becomes Rusalka, a water spirit. Twelve years later, Rusalka sends her daughter Rusalochka to meet her father on the riverbank and tell him that her mother still loves him and is waiting for him. The Prince is lured to his death, and Rusalochka along with other water spirits takes his body to their queen Rusalka.​
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​Location

Russian Opera Workshop is an independent program in summer residence at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia

Housing

Applicants are responsible for securing their own housing. 

In the past, Russian Opera Workshop Artists took advantage of the following specially arranged option:

International House Philadelphia
3701 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

AVA student sublets are also available.

Accepted Artists

Singers accepted into the summer program will require advance preparation.

Upon commitment, singers will get access to electronic files for self guided preparation of operas.

1. Transliterations
2. Translations
3. Pronunciation sound files

Advanced & Young Singers

We encourage both advanced and young singers to audition for the program. 

Young singers, undergrads, will be assigned songs and arias according to voice and level, and will understudy full roles. This will ensure a healthy entry level experience into Russian repertoire.

Advanced singers including master's degree and professional levels will add important roles and arias to their repertoire. 

Master Classes

Audition/professional development master classes are on standard (non-Russian) opera repertoire. Singers can sing any aria, in any language.

Memorization

We perform operas in concert format and on book.

Memorization is optional for concert opera performances. Our goal is to get the roles into the voice.  

Russian Classes

- Daily Russian Class
- Vocal Coaching
- Master Classes

Daily Schedule

Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Evenings and weekends are off -- explore Philadelphia and enjoy Jersey shore.

All schedules are subject to change.

​Concerts

FREE public concerts are in the final week of each opera session

7:30 p.m. at the Helen Corning Warden Theater at the Academy of Vocal Arts

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