VAL 5. Experience in an opera production: assistant stage direction

(Title to be announced)

Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:

  • From 26 January 2026 to 08 May 2026 (Easter holidays from 02 April to 13 April 2026)

Description of the EOA module:

Professional training and preparation for an opera role, concluding with the performance of a fully staged opera production (title to be announced).

This includes:

  • Spanish language training
  • Working with the scenic director, set designer, costume designer, lighting designer, and producer, as well as the singers, pianists, and the choir
  • Ensemble rehearsals with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers
  • Dress rehearsal with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir, and singers
  • Opera performances in our Auditorium and other venues

The specialty of this module in comparison with other courses:

Valencia is a major cultural center and encourages immersion into the professional opera and music scene:  Palau de les Arts Opera House, concerts, and presentations by prominent international musicians.

In addition, there are many events and festivals throughout the year (i.e., Las Fallas). With a rich history in modern architectural masterpieces (City of Arts and Sciences), Valencia’s deep, multicultural roots, cosmopolitan flavor, and warm climate make it a true Mediterranean gem.

Also, Valencia is one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most affordable cities for student accommodation.

Names of the professors of this module:

  • Stage director: Eugenia Corbacho, Jaume Martorell
  • Costume designer: Miguel Ángel Jiménez
  • Producer: TBA
  • Set designer: TBA
  • Lightning designer: José Cebrián

Possible extras besides the module

Masterclasses

Participation in other projects:

  • “Ópera sofá”: Concerts of highlights from operas performed in other venues.

Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts

Exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

Open to 1-2 students

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

Teaching: The first 4 weeks

  • Spanish language training
  • Working with the scenic director, set designer, costume designer, lighting designer, and the producer, as well as the singers, pianists and the choir

Production: The following 4 weeks

  • Ensemble rehearsals with piano, stage director, conductor, choir and singers
  • Ensemble rehearsals with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers
  • Dress rehearsal with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers

Opera performances in our Auditorium and other venues.

Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

25 ECTS

Entrance examination:

Contact the coordinator:

Charo Vallés

master.opera@csmvalencia.es

The materials to submit with your application are:

  • CV
  • Two Videos (it can be a link to YouTube or any other platform) 

Deadline:

  • 1st deadline: 01 June 2025
  • 2nd deadline: 15 September 2025

Date for expected answers:

  • 1st deadline: 15 June 2025
  • 2nd deadline: 30 September 2025

Description of the final Examination:

Public performance of a fully staged chamber opera at the Concert Hall of the Conservatory Superior of Music

Teaching language:

Spanish, English, Italian, French and German

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

  • Free for students in Erasmus Programme
  • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange

GEN 1. So Commedia dell’arte!

Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:

  • From 05 January to 02 April 2026

      Open for:

      Min. 1, max. 3 vocal students

      Description:

      The vocal department of the HEM of Geneve offers singers a journey back to the origins of theatre with a module concentrating on Commedia dell’arte. Rafael Bianciotto, a specialist of this art form, accompanies the singers to the universe of Pantalon, Harlequin, Pulcinella and other characters of commedia dell’arte.

      Participants in this module will be familiarized with the theatrical work with masks and build up scenes with spoken and sung texts.

      This module ends with a staged concert on 14-15 February 2026 for which the participants prepare operatic repertoire with connection to Commedia dell’arte characters.

      To complete the module, the participants have the possibility to take part in a concert version of Ravel’s l’Enfant et les Sortilèges with the Orchestre de Suisse Romande in January and in March in a concert version of Meyerbeer’s Prophet with Orchestre de Chambre de Genève.

      Kind of voice and role:

      All voices

      For Ravel we are mainly looking for tenors and barytons.

      We will specify the information on the Meyerbeer production later in the spring 2025.

      Speciality of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe

      French language.

      Names of the professors of this module:

      • Clémence Tilquin, Stephan MacLeod, Marius Brenciu, Heidi Brunner, Susanne Schimmack, Andreas Wolf, Marcin Habela – vocal studies
      • Sacha Michon, French phonetic coaching
      • Nina Uhari, Juliette Journaux – French Art Song repertoire and role studies
      • Rafael Bianciotto, stage director

      Possible extras:

      • Possibility to assist to rehearsals at the Grand Théâtre de Genève.

      Number of ECTS within master:

      To be checked with HeMGeneva

      Entrance examination:

      • If the participant wants to do the production of the scenic project and the concert projects he/she should send a good quality video with a French aria by 1st of May 2025.

      Description of the final examination:

      • Progress examination

      Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/ excluded in this price:

      • Full-time module: free for students in the Erasmus Programme (Swiss Mobility Programme)

      Communication language:

      English and French

      Deadline for application:

      • 1st deadline: May 2025
      • 2nd deadline: N/A

      Date for expected answers:

      • 1st deadline: June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: N/A

      VAL 3. Repetiteur training (pianists)

      (Title to be announced)

      Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:

      • From 26 January 2026 to 08 May 2026 (Easter holidays from 02 April to 13 April 2026)

      Description of the EOA module:

      Specific training as repetiteur working in the preparation of a fully staged opera production (title to be announced).

      This includes:

      • Attendance at individual Singing and Repertoire lessons of the cast. Vocal coaching
      • Language training
      • Musical rehearsals with the conductor and singers
      • Stage rehearsals with the stage director, the conductor, and the singers
      • Chorus rehearsals with the chorus director

      The specialty of this module in comparison with other courses:

      Valencia is a major cultural center and encourages immersion into the professional opera and music scene:  Palau de les Arts Opera House, concerts, and presentations by prominent international musicians.

      In addition, there are many events and festivals throughout the year (i.e., Las Fallas). With a rich history in modern architectural masterpieces (City of Arts and Sciences), Valencia’s deep, multicultural roots, cosmopolitan flavor, and warm climate make it a true Mediterranean gem.

      Valencia is also one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most affordable cities for student accommodation.

      Names of the professors of this module:

      • Singing: Gloria Fabuel, Patricia Llorens, Mª José Martínez de Velasco, Amparo Quevedo, Ofelia Sala, Charo Vallés
      • Opera coaches: Mercedes Bernabeu, Carles Budó, Miquel Carbonell, Francesc Gamón, Pablo García-Berlanga, Adrià Gràcia, Diego Sánchez, 
      • Conductor: Nadie Stoyanova
      • Stage director: Eugenia Corbacho, Jaume Martorell

      Possible extras besides the module

      • Masterclasses
      • Concerts at different venues in Valencia
      • Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts
      • Exchange and collaborate with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production.

      Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

      • Minimum 1 student
      • Maximum 3 students

      Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

      Teaching: The first 8 weeks

      • Working with the singing teachers
      • Working with the opera coaches
      • Working with the conductor and vocal coaches
      • Working with the stage director and vocal coaches

      Production: The following 4 weeks

      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and conductor
      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and stage director

      Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

      25 ECTS

      Entrance examination:

      Contact the coordinator:

      Charo Vallés

      master.opera@csmvalencia.es

      The materials to submit with your application are:

      • CV
      • Repertoire
      • Two Videos (it can be a link to YouTube or any other platform)

      Deadline:

      • 1st deadline: 01 June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: 15 September 2025

      Date for expected answers:

      • 1st deadline: 15 June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: 30 September 2025

      Description of the final Examination:

      Public performance of a fully staged chamber opera at the Concert Hall of the Conservatory Superior of Music

      Teaching language:

      Spanish, English, Italian, French and German

      Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

      • Free for students in Erasmus Programme
      • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange

      VAL 2. Performance of an operatic role in a fully staged opera production

      (Title to be announced in late May)

      Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:

      • From 26 January 2026 to 08 May 2026 (Easter holidays from 02 April to 13 April 2026)

      Description of the EOA module:

      Professional training and preparation for an opera role, concluding with the performance of a fully staged opera production (title to be announced).

      This includes:

      • Singing lessons
      • Repertoire lessons
      • Acting
      • Language coaching
      • Musical rehearsals with the conductor, pianists, and the orchestra.
      • Stage rehearsals with the stage director, the conductor, and the pianists.

      In order to study the specific roles of the production.

      Kind of voice and role (Title and roles to be announced in late May):

      • Mezzo
      • Tenor
      • Baritone
      • Bass

      The specialty of this module in comparison with other courses:

      Valencia is a major cultural center and encourages immersion into the professional opera and music scene:  Palau de les Arts Opera House, concerts, and presentations by major international musicians.

      In addition, there are many events and festivals throughout the year (i.e. Las Fallas). With a rich history in modern architectural masterpieces (City of Arts and Sciences), Valencia’s deep, multicultural roots, cosmopolitan flavor, and warm climate to make it a true Mediterranean gem.

      Also, Valencia is one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most affordable cities for student accommodation.

      Names of the professors of this module:

      • Singing: Gloria Fabuel, Patricia Llorens, Mª José Martínez de Velasco, Amparo Quevedo, Ofelia Sala, Charo Vallés
      • Opera coaches: Mercedes Bernabeu, Carles Budó, Miquel Carbonell, Francesc Gamón, Pablo García-Berlanga, Adrià Gràcia, Diego Sánchez, 
      • Conductor: Nadie Stoyanova
      • Stage director: Eugenia Corbacho, Jaume Martorell

      Possible extras besides the module

      • Masterclasses
      • Concerts at different venues in Valencia
      • Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts
      • Exchange and collaborate with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production.

      Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

      • Minimum 1 student
      • Maximum 3 students

      Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

      Teaching: The first 8 weeks

      • Working with the singing teachers
      • Working with the opera coaches
      • Working with the conductor and vocal coaches
      • Working with the stage director and vocal coaches

      Production: The following 4 weeks

      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and conductor
      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and stage director

      Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

      25 ECTS

      Entrance examination:

      Contact the coordinator:

      Charo Vallés

      master.opera@csmvalencia.es

      The materials to submit with your application are:

      • CV
      • Repertoire
      • Two Videos (it can be a link to YouTube or any other platform)

      Deadline:

      • 1st deadline: 01 June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: 15 September 2025

      Date for expected answers:

      • 1st deadline: 15 June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: 30 September 2025

      Description of the final Examination:

      Public performance of a fully staged chamber opera at the Concert Hall of the Conservatory Superior of Music

      Teaching language:

      Spanish, English, Italian, French and German

      Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

      • Free for students in Erasmus Programme
      • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange

      VAL 1. Performance of an operatic role in a fully staged chamber opera production (Singers)

      Title/s to be announced in late May

      Period of the EOA module in 2025 – 2026:

      From 29 September 2025 to 23 January 2026

      Description of the EOA module:

      Professional training and preparation for an opera role, concluding with the performance of a fully staged chamber opera production (title to be announced).

      This includes:

      • Singing lessons
      • Repertoire lessons
      • Acting
      • Language coaching
      • Musical rehearsals with the conductor, pianists, and/or instrumental ensemble.
      • Stage rehearsals with the stage director, the conductor, and the pianists.
      • Performance with piano accompaniment or instrumental ensemble

      In order to study the specific roles of the production.

      Kind of voice and role (Title and roles to be announced in May):

      • Mezzo
      • Tenor
      • Baritone
      • Bass

      The specialty of this module in comparison with other courses:

      Valencia is a major cultural centre and encourages immersion into the professional opera and music scene:  Palau de les Arts Opera House, concerts and presentations by prominent international musicians.

      In addition, there are many events and festivals throughout the year (i.e., Las Fallas). With a rich history in modern architectural masterpieces (City of Arts and Sciences), Valencia’s deep, multicultural roots, cosmopolitan flavor, and warm climate make it a true Mediterranean gem.

      Valencia is also one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most affordable cities for student accommodation.

      Names of the professors of this module:

      • Singing: Gloria Fabuel, Patricia Llorens, Mª José Martínez Velasco, Amparo Quevedo, Ofelia Sala, Charo Vallés
      • Opera coaches: Mercedes Bernabeu, Carles Budó, Miquel Carbonell, Francesc Gamón, Pablo García-Berlanga, Adrià Gràcia, Diego Sánchez, 
      • Conductor: Nadia Stoyanova
      • Stage director: Eugenia Corbacho, Jaume Martorell

      Possible extras besides the module:

      • Masterclasses
      • Concerts at different venues in Valencia
      • Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts
      • Exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production

      Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

      • Minimum 1 student
      • Maximum 3 students

      Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

      Teaching: The first 8 weeks

      • Working with the singing teachers
      • Working with the opera coaches
      • Working with the conductor and vocal coaches
      • Working with the stage director and vocal coaches

      Production: The following 4 weeks

      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and conductor
      • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and stage director

      Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

      25 ECTS

      Entrance examination:

      Contact the coordinator:

      Charo Vallés

      master.opera@csmvalencia.es

      The materials to submit with your application are:

      • CV
      • Repertoire
      • Two Videos (it can be a link to YouTube or any other platform)

      Deadline:

      • First: 01 June 2025
      • Second: 01 September 2025

      Date for expected answers:

      • 1st deadline: 15 June 2025
      • 2nd deadline: 15 September 2025

      Description of the final Examination:

      • Public performance
      • Permanent Artistic Evaluation

      Teaching language:

      Spanish, English, Italian, French and German

      Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

      • Free for students in Erasmus Programme
      • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange

      STO 4. Full Opera production

      Period of the EOA module in 2025 – 2026:

      Spring semester 2026:

      • 23 February – 07 June 2026 (with possibility to begin from 19 January 2026 for the full term)

      Open to:

      • 1 or 2 vocal students

      This course offers an opportunity to perform an opera role in a full-scale production with a professional symphony orchestra at a Swedish theatre. The module consists of a period of musical preparation with vocal coaching and musical interpretation sessions, followed by role analysis and stage rehearsals led by a professional director and conductor. The performance is produced with an orchestra, sets, lighting, costumes, and makeup.

      The repertoire will be decided in Autumn 2025.

      Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module

      • Patrik Sörling, Assistant Professor of Music Dramatic Performance
      • Christine Morgan, Assistant Professor of Musical Interpretation
      • Martin Hellström, Assistant Professor of Musical Interpretation

      Possible extras besides the module:

      • Seminars on aspects of opera as an art form and of the opera singer’s profession
      • Audition training
      • Individual artistic reflection project (documented by short essay) under supervision

      ca. 170 hours

      24-30  ECTS

      Entrance examination:

      We choose our EOA students via recorded material. With the application, we need sound and video recordings.

      Formats:

      • Sound: Wav or AIFF
      • Video: Mov or mp4 

      Description of the final Examination:

      Students are examined through the staged performance and a group seminar on the course’s learning outcomes.

      Teaching language/ Required level of language:

      • Communication language: EN, level 5

      Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

      • There are no tuition fees for EU/EES citizens

      STO 3. Opera performance with orchestra and conductor

      Period of the EOA module in 2025 – 2026:

      • Spring semester 2026:

        • 19 January – 23 March 2026 (with possible extension to 07 June 2026 for the full term)

        Open for:

        • 1 to 3 vocal students

        In this module, the student singers work in a production in cooperation with student conductors and musicians from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and a professional stage director.

        The repertoire for the project will consist of longer excerpts from 2-3 different operas, conceptually merged into one opera performance. The module includes preparatory work,  musical rehearsals with our teachers in musical interpretation and the conductor students, as well as singing lessons.

        The course also contains language coaching, both individually and in groups.

        A 5-6 weeks production follows, consisting of stage work and orchestral rehearsals leading up to a fully staged performance with lighting, costumes, and makeup.

        Repertoire will be selected in mid-autumn of 2025.

        Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

        • Stina Ancker, Professor of music drama performance
        • Christine Morgan, Assistant professor of musical performance

        Ca 108 hours

        18 ECTS

         

        Possible extras besides the module:

        • Movement classes
        • Seminars on aspects of opera as an art form and of the opera singer’s

         

        Entrance examination:

        We choose our EOA students via recorded material. With the application, we need sound and video recordings.

        Formats:

        • Sound: Wav or AIFF.
        • Video: Mov or mp4

         

        Description of the final Examination:

        Students are examined through the staged performance and a group seminar on the course’s learning outcomes.

        Teaching language/ Required level of language:

        • Communication language: EN, level 5

        Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

        There are no tuition fees for EU/EES citizens

      POR 3. Preparing an Operatic Production, for Stage Designers

      Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026

      08 October 2025 – 28 January 2026

      and/or

      11 March – 11 July 2026

      This Module is divided into 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 2025 to 28 January 2026

      Open for: 1-3 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 various specialties now offered) has as the goal to enable student autonomy, both in achieving methodological processes as well as the consolidation of a Stage Design and an artistic identity. This process will give the student a new approach to opera and opera making, enabling 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 a fully staged Opera Production with orchestra in Porto*

      11 March to 11 July 2026

      Open for: 1-3 vocal students

      This Module is only open to students who have completed Part A of the Module and have acquired the knowledge and experience necessary and sufficient to construct costumes, scenery, and light designs for the upcoming opera production. It is also open to those who can demonstrate through portfolios their ability and knowledge in constructing costumes, sets, and light designs.

      * The Opera Production for 2025 – 2026:

      Der Massnahme by Hans Eisler

      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

      Description of final examination:

      full staged Opera.

      Possible extras: 

      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.

      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 2025 – 2026.

      2) Prices are applicable for 2025-2026.

      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 2025-2026:

      • 2nd Semester 2026 (exact dates TBA)

      The Opera Production for 2025-2026: 

      • Der Maasnahme by Hans Eisler

      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 cooperate with conductors, directors, and other professional groups through the performances and participation in a fully staged opera.

      The specialty of this module, in comparison with other courses in Europe

      EOA students will participate in this fully staged work and receive vocal coaching and acting to prepare for the specific roles of this production. This will make the EOA student aware of the complete teamwork and cooperation that an opera production requires. It will also make the singer aware of all the interactions between the EOA Modules 2025 – 2026 and how different areas are involved in an opera presentation (implementation of the set design, costumes, light, production, staging, orchestra, etc.).

      Possible extras: 

      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 the Erasmus exchange (Master´s level) only during the academic year 2025 – 2026

      2) Prices are applicable for 2025 – 2026

      3) Prices do not include travel or living expenses

      OSL 2. French baroque opera

      Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:

      24 November 2025 – 01 February 2026

      Content:

      A fully staged performance with orchestra and dancers at the National Norwegian Opera. 

      Names of the professors:

      • Jacopo Spirei
      • Luca de Marchi
      • Olesya Tutova
      • Markus Kvits
      • Anne Sofie von Otter
      • Bengt Forsberg
      • Solveig Kringelborn
      • Toril Carlsen

      Open for:

      1 Baryton

      Number of teaching / production hours of the EOA module:

      Preparation 180 hours

      Production 200 hours

      Number of ECTS:

      12

      Description of the final examination:

      • CV
      • Repertoire
      • Two videos 

      Description of the final Examination.

      • Public performance

      Deadline for applications: 

      • 1st deadline: 08 May 2025

      Deadline for expected answers: 

      • 1st deadline: 01 June 2025