The 2021 Festival Season
Our 2020 season, sadly, was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But we’re planning a smaller season for 2021 — one that looks back our early days, when we scheduled just one opera! We’ve chosen Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld for our return to live performance, and are really excited to bring this lively, beautiful, funny operetta to Halifax!
We’ve given first chance at casting to those artists who accepted 2020 offers, and who are able to plan to return to us in 2021. We will shortly (by the end of December 2020) be opening up auditions to everyone.
As we confirm details of creative teams for Orpheus, we’ll post details on the Season Repertoire page.
SECOND ROUND OF CASTING: STARTING SOON
Why Study AT HSOF?
You have a lot of options when it comes to training and you need to weigh the costs and returns of your investments. HSOF gives great value for a four week opera program.
program costS
The tuition fee for the 2020 Halifax Summer Opera Festival remains $1975.00 Canadian. This does not cover transportation, housing and other expenses. The Art Song Intensive and Carmelites chorus will be $1200.00
We do have a small number of partial scholarships available which are awarded on the basis of need and talent.
How to apply:
Ready? Go to the Application form now!
It’s all online, including the application fee payment, which is $40 Canadian. You tell us a bit about yourself, indicate which roles interest you and choose an audition method. Go to Application Form now.
We’ll ask to hear three contrasting pieces, one of which should be in English. They don’t have to be drawn from opera repertoire, if you’re just beginning or if you’re applying to the Art Song Intensive. If you’re looking for a specific role, especially a lead, then please sing either an aria from the opera or something very similar. For details, see How to Apply
Artistic Director Nina Scott-Stoddart personally selects every participant, by live or digital audition.
This year auditions will be held in:
- LONDON, ON: October 29
- TORONTO: November 2 and 10
- MONTREAL: Monday November 11 and Tuesday November 12
- HALIFAX: December 7
Can’t make a live audition? Not to worry — we cast many singers, particularly from other parts of Canada and the States, via distance auditions. We accept distance applications until all roles are cast, but to be considered in the first round of casting, please have your materials to us no later than November 29.
