POR 3. Preparing an Operatic Production, for Stage Designers

Period of the EOA module in 2024-2025

08 October 2024 – 28 January 2025

and/or

11 March – 11 July 2025

This Module is divided in two parts:

A – Background knowledge and experience and

B – The preparation of an Opera

A. Background knowledge and experience: Stage Design with Technical Supervision (Costume, Set and Light Design)

8 October 2024 to 28 January 2025

Open for: 1-3 vocal students

Stage Design is, of course, divided according to specialties (Costume, Set and Light Design), and the aim of each module now offered within each specialty is to facilitate technical and artistry improvement through the use of different and specialized techniques and knowledge, according to the philosophy of building up costumes, sets and light designs within the preparation and performance of specialized operatic repertoire (from Baroque to Contemporary repertoire). The emphasis is on artistry within the process of making an opera. Each year there will be a different Opera Production which will be the aim (Part B) and consequence of this Module development (Part A). This module (within the different specialties now offered) has as the goal to enable the student autonomy, both in achieving methodological processes as well as the consolidation of a Stage Design and an artistic identity. This process will bring the student a new approach to Opera and Opera making, and it will enable the student to experience a live performance in front of an audience.

Names of the professors of this module:

  • Costume Design – Manuela Bronze/Manuela Ferreira;
  • Set Design: Helder Maia;
  • Light Design: Rui Damas

Until 20 ECTS – 10 -12 hours individual tuition & 45 hours group work

B. Preparation of an Opera Performance in fully staged Opera Production with orchestra in Porto*

11 March to 11 July 2025

Open for: 1-3 vocal students

This Module is only open for those students that have done Part A of the Module and, though, have acquired the knowledge and experience necessary and sufficient to be able to construct costumes, scenery and light designs work for the out coming opera production. Or, for those who can demonstrate through portfolios their ability and knowledge in the construction of costumes, sets and light designs.

* The Opera Production for 24-25 Preview:

TBC

The Opera for this year is still in negotiation with National Theatres.

Until 20 ECTS 10 -12 hours individual tuition & 45 hours group work

Description of final examination: full staged Opera.

Possible extras: Students may attend one, or both, of these theoretical seminars on the subject of Opera Performance:

  1. Opera communication systems in history and in actuality: a sociological approach. Seminar given by Prof. Dr. Francisco Melo – Professor of History and Aesthetics, at ESMAE
  2. The Psychology of Performance – The underlying psychology of the study of operatic roles and other issues in opera. This Seminar will be given by Prof. Dr. Daniela Coimbra (PhD) – Professor on Psychology of Music, at ESMAE.

Entrance examination

Portfolio – Interview

Video recording or link to video recording

Description of the final examination

Public performance on stage with piano

Teaching language

English – level 3

Total expenses of the EOA

1) This module is available within Erasmus exchange (Master´s level) only during the academic year 2023/24.

2) Prices are applicable for 2023-2024.

3) Prices do not include travel or living expenses

POR 2. Performance of an Operatic Role in fully staged Opera Production with orchestra

Period of the EOA module in 2024-2025:

  • 11 of March to 16 of July 2025

The Opera Production for 2024-2025: 

  • TBC

Open for:

1-4 vocal students (Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor, Baritone, Bass)

Content:

The module aims for students to work on performing a role and learn to co-operate with conductors, directors and other professional groups through the performances and participation on a fully staged opera.

The Opera for this year is still in negotiation with the National Theatre of Porto: TNSJ and it will be fully announced soon.

Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe

EOA students will participate in this fully staged work and will receive vocal coaching and acting to prepare the specific roles of this production. It will make the EOA student aware of the full teamwork and cooperation that an opera production requires, and it will make the singer aware of the interaction of all the EOA Modules 2024-2025, and how different areas are involved in an opera presentation (implementation of the set design, costumes, light, production, staging, orchestra, etc.)

Possible extras: 

Students may attend one, or both, of these theoretical seminars on the subject of Opera and Performance:

  1. Opera communication systems in history and in actuality: a sociological approach. Seminar given by Prof. Dr. Francisco Melo – Professor of History and Esthetics, at ESMAE
  2. The Psychology of Performance – The underlying psychology to the study of operatic roles and other issues in opera. This Seminar will be given by Prof. Dr. Daniela Coimbra (PhD) – Professor on Psychology of Music, at ESMAE.

Besides that, Porto is a culturally interesting and beautiful city. Here you can profit from the musical and cultural activity at Casa da Música of Porto, a very active cultural point in the city, as well as the Teatro Nacional de São João, Rivoli Theatre and the Coliseum of Porto.

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module

10 -12 hours of individual tuition & 45 hours of group work.

Number of ECTS

20 ECTS

Entrance examination

Video recording or link to video recording

Description of the final examination

Public performance on stage with piano.

Teaching language

English – level 3

Total expenses of the EOA

1) This module is available within Erasmus exchange (Master´s level) only during the academic year 20234/25.

2) Prices are applicable for 2024-2025.

3) Prices do not include travel or living expenses

POR 1. Preparing Operatic Roles

Methodology: Improvisation, Movement, Vocality and E-Motion Arousal as a Body and Vocal approach to Opera Singing and Opera Making

 

Period of the EOA module in 2024 – 2025: 

08 October 2024 to 28 January 2025

Open for:

1-3 vocal students

Description of the module: 

a. Vocal Performance with Technical Supervision 

The aim of this section of the module is to facilitate vocal improvement through the use of improvisation, movement, emotional arousal accurate vocal technique in accordance with the preparation and performance of specialized operatic repertoire (from Baroque to Contemporary repertoire. Special attention will be given to technical problems, vocal characterization, style and interpretation as well as performance practices. The focus of this module will also be on vocal improvement and on vocal technique within the preparation and performance of operatic roles. The emphasis is on artistry and the process of the vocal training through the preparation of operatic roles). Other genres of vocal repertoire such as Lied, Song and Chanson may also be part of a specialized vocal study. This module has as the goal to enable the student autonomy, both in achieving methodological processes as well as the consolidation of a vocal as well as an artistic identity.

Names of the professors of this module:

  • António Salgado
  • Rui Taveira

B. Acting for Singers in the Preparation of Operatic Roles 

The aim of this section of the module is to facilitate the student’s artistic autonomy both in methodological processes as well as the consolidation of an artistic identity. Through an organization of their knowledge and skills (creative, sensory and cognitive) the student will be able to develop interpretative operatic roles taking in account previous dramaturgic assumptions for the purpose of live performance.

  • Master a variety of techniques of movement and acting.
  • Develop somatic and emotional body-mind approaches to performance practice
  • Increase awareness of the poetic universe of the performer
  • Develop the singular nature of each opera singer during live performance and during collective interaction.

The main purpose of this module is to consolidate the performer skills, giving a particular focus to the work on stage in the interaction with the director and the maestro. Issues of scenic presence in relation with the scene/stage will also be explored. Scenic experimentation through body movement, improvisation, vocality and the arousing of emotion will bring the student a new approach to Opera and Opera making. This module will enable the student to experience a live performance in front of an audience.

Names of the professors of this module:

  • Claire Bynion
  • António Salgado
  • Claudia Marisa
  • António Durães

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

1-3 vocal students

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module

10-12 hours of individual tuition & 45 hours of group work

Number of ECTS within master accreditation

20 ECTS

Entrance examination

Video recording or link to video recording

Description of the final examination

Public performance on stage with piano

Teaching language

English – level 3

  • This module is only available within Erasmus exchange (Master´s level), during the academic year 2023/24.
  • Students must provide their own accommodation, meals and travelling cost