Recognized as one of the foremost opera training programs in the world, Manhattan School of Music’s opera program attracts some of the most talented young singers from the United States and more than forty other countries. Students refine their technique and develop their artistry under the guidance of a faculty of eminent artist-teachers while gaining exposure before New York City audiences.
Headed by Dona D. Vaughn, Artistic Director, and Gordon Ostrowski, Assistant Dean, Opera Studies/Opera Production, the program is internationally known for its excellence. Each year two fully staged productions are presented, which span the classical and contemporary repertoire. Praised by the New York Times for its significant contribution to operatic life in New York, Manhattan School of Music has a long and proud tradition of producing some of the finest artists singing throughout the world today.
Each season Dona D. Vaughn directs one mainstage production, as well as the Senior Opera Theater, which is required of all senior voice majors. Students have an opportunity to work with leading professional directors and conductors in the other production of the season, as well as in the Opera Scenes program that is presented each fall.
Students accepted into the Opera Studio also have the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive outreach training program, including Discover Opera! and an abridged classic opera, Amato’s Opera-in-Brief. Gordon Ostrowski directs the Opera-in-Brief, as well as the Junior Opera Theater, which is required of all junior voice majors.
Other important elements of the opera program are the Opera Workshop and Opera Lab, which provide appropriate venues for singers to develop stagecraft and dramatic interpretation as well as gain additional performance experience.
Specific courses and degree sequence plans can be found in the 2012-2013 Course Catalog.
Albany Records has released professional recordings of numerous Manhattan School of Music productions.
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Performance History
2010–11
Summer and Smoke, Lee Hoiby
El amor brujo and La vida breve, Manuel De Falla
2009–10
Pénélope, Gabriel Fauré
Le nozze di Figaro, W. A. Mozart
2008–09
Later the Same Evening, John Musto
Die Fledermaus, Johann Strauss
2006–07
L’Italiana in Londra, Domenico Cimarosa
Griffelkin, Lucas Foss
2005–06
Cendrillon, Jules Massenet
A Dinner Engagement, Lennox Berkeley
2004–05
Beauty and the Beast, Louis Spohr
A Month in the Country, Lee Hoiby
2003–04
Mirandolina, Bohuslav Martinu
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Benjamin Britten
2002–03
Béatrice et Bénédict, Hector Berlioz
The Seagull, Thomas Pasatieri
2001–02
Der Wildschütz, Albert Lortzing
Amelia Goes to the Ball, Gian Carlo Menotti, and Roman Fever, Robert Ward
2000–01
The Rape of Lucretia, Benjamin Britten
The House of Seven Gables, Scott Eyerly
1999–2000
Il matrimonio segreto, Domenico Cimarosa
A Death in the Family, William Mayer
1998–99
Le comte Ory, Gioacchino Rossini
Two Widows, Bedrich Smetana