Opera Quest
Dates: June 16-27, 2025
Application Deadline: CLOSED
Location: Victoria Conservatory of Music
Discover Opera Quest: A Unique Opportunity for Emerging Singers
Opera Quest is looking to engage versatile emerging singers interested in becoming creatively conversant in all aspects of Opera Production.
A cast of singers will be chosen by audition to be part of a special-op(era) ensemble of performers, and industry professionals that will work in collaboration to prepare and present a new original opera production at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The opera will be rehearsed and given a world-premiere performance in the magnificent acoustic of the Alix Goolden Performance Hall.
Paid Performance Experience
Singers will be paid a cash stipend for their work, and the Victoria Conservatory will also provide assistance towards suitable accommodations in Victoria as applicable.
Guidance from Renowned Mentors
Opera Quest offers a unique opportunity for emerging singers to connect creatively in production with nationally-renowned artists and guest mentors experienced in the opera theatre business including:
- stage and music direction
- dance and choreography
- costume and make-up design
- sets and props
- lighting and sound
- entrepreneurship marketing and promotion
The experience is designed to help participating singers gain a deeper understanding of opera production, as well as to add valuable paid professional performance experience to their résumés.
A Legacy of Excellence
Last year’s Opera Quest 2024 Production of The Soldier and The Sea was a resounding success, receiving a standing ovation from an audience enraptured by the thrilling lyrical mix of Modern, Rock, and Classical music and the stunning Mythological visuals in perpetual movement that perfectly conveyed the Unknown Soldier/ Ulysses’ mysterious journey between interpenetrating worlds of consciousness and unconsciousness. A truly operatic experience!
Being a part of the Opera Quest production opened doors for my career and allowed me to gain more insight into how to act on stage as well as highlighting the importance of research in developing my role in the Opera. The phenomenal vocal coaching that I received was very detailed and helped me to further refine my vocal abilities. It was a wonderful experience to interact with so many other operatic artists and to share our passion and our love for this art.
Victoria Lachowska, Soprano
This opportunity is made possible by the generous support of RBC Foundation and NRS Foundation.
Learn more
How to Apply
Applications are now CLOSED.
Step 1: Submit your professional resume and head shot by email to voice.classical[at]vcm.bc.ca
Step 2: Provide video recordings of two contrasting operatic arias that you feel will give us an idea of your voice and of your artistic potential to voice.classical[at]vcm.bc.ca
Dates and Schedule
Schedule coming soon
Location
Onsite at the Victoria Conservatory of Music (900 Johnson Street) in downtown Victoria.
Faculty
Colin Doroschuk, Artistic Director
Other faculty coming soon
Concert
Information coming soon
Testimonials
“Opera Quest was absolutely fantastic! One of the best musical experiences of my life! The connections and the bonds that were formed in production between the cast and the professional mentors were most fruitful and extremely inspiring! Being part of a production that received such a standing ovation was a dream come true!”
Jill Forrester, Mezzo-Soprano
“The amount of work that we put into those two production weeks was incredibly educational, challenging, and inspiring. Opera Quest provided us with a window into new possibilities, and showed us just how much we can accomplish in production and in performance…”
Audrey Hamilton, Lyric Soprano
“I loved learning about all the different art forms that participate in the creation of an opera. I enjoyed researching the mythology on which the story was based; choosing the costumes; applying the stage make-up; working on the staging and learning the choreography; rehearsing and performing the music. Collaborating with the Opera Quest mentors helped me grow as an artist and fundamentally changed the way that I approach performance…”
Amelia Croft, Soprano
Contact
Colin Doroschuk, Head of Classical Voice
250.386.5311 | voice.classical[at]vcm.bc.ca