Program Information
1. You must be available to participate in the program for the entire period (first day of rehearsal/contract Jan. 10th , 2023, through last performance March 26, 2023). You may neither arrive late nor depart early. No releases are granted for any period during the program. No request for a release will be considered. You will not be given time off to audition for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, the Houston Grand Opera Studio, or any other audition.
2. There are 24 apprentice artists (12 women and 12 men).
3. Apprentice Artists will:
• Sing CHORUS in four mainstage productions:
MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Puccini, in Italian) 10 performances
First rehearsal Jan 17
Performance #1 Feb 18
DON GIOVANNI (Mozart. In Italian) 8 performances
First rehearsal Jan 25
Performance #1 Feb 25
ERNANI (Verdi) 6 performances
Feb 9 First rehearsal
Performance #1 Mar 11
THERESE (Massenet. In French) 5 performances
Feb 16 first rehearsal
Performance #1 Mar 17
Operas are performed in their original languages.
• Participate in classes given by Victor DeRenzi (Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera), Lindsay Woodward (Chorus Master/Program and Music Director of the Apprentice Artists), Martha Collins (Apprentice Artists Program stage director), Stephanie Sundine (Apprentice Artists Program stage director), Marco Nisticò (artistic administrator), and other members of the Sarasota Opera staff.
• Coach music with members of the music staff
• Coach foreign languages with native-born speakers
• Participate in master classes
• Network with experienced colleagues
• Perform at the “Welcome Concert” on the main stage
• Perform at the “Stars of Tomorrow” Gala sponsored by the Manatee Opera Guild
• Perform at the “Fridays at Noon” programs (lunchtime concerts with piano)
• Perform and cover main stage roles.
4. The following roles will be PERFORMED by Apprentice Artists:
MADAMA BUTTERFLY: Aunt (soprano), Cousin (soprano), Kate (mezzo), Mother (mezzo), Yakuside (tenor), Registrar (bass)
THERESE: Off stage voice (soprano and tenor), Town crier (spoken), Municipal Officer (bass)
IMPORTANT: These assignments are made between the time that all Apprentice Artists have accepted contracts to sing with the Program and the start of rehearsals for the season.
5. The following roles will be COVERED by Apprentice Artists:
MADAMA BUTTERFLY: Aunt (soprano), Cousin (soprano), Kate (mezzo), Mother (mezzo), Yakuside (tenor), Registrar (bass)
DON GIOVANNI: Masetto (bass)
ERNANI: Giovanna (soprano), Riccardo (tenor), Iago (bass)
THERESE: Off stage voice (soprano and tenor), Town crier (spoken), Municipal Officer (bass), Thorel (bass), Officer 1 (tenor)
IMPORTANT: These assignments are made between the time that all Apprentice Artists have accepted contracts to sing with the Program and the start of rehearsals for the season.
6. All applicants for the Apprentice Artists Program must have the stamina and dexterity to rehearse and perform in opera productions that are physically demanding. Applicants must be able to stand for periods of time, kneel, and perform on elevated scenery.
7. You are encouraged to speak to someone who has participated in Sarasota Opera's Apprentice Artists Program before deciding if you want to audition. ONLY audition for the program if you are sure that you would accept a contract if asked.
8. FOR APPRENTICE PIANISTS: please email Marco Nisticò, Artistic Administrator, at mnistico@sarasotaopera.org, for more information about the program. This is a paid position and will include housing and travel.
United States citizens only OR singers who possess green cards OR singers who already have valid US work visas in hand.
Due to Sarasota Opera’s repertoire, the Sarasota Opera Apprentice Program does not offer opportunities for countertenors.
1. Apprentices receive a $425 weekly stipend.
2. A round-trip airplane ticket from home cities within the continental U.S. will be booked and paid for by the company or, if an Apprentice Artist drives to Sarasota, a travel stipend will be paid. The amount paid for driving is stipulated in the contract.
3. No other salaries are available.
4. This is a non-AGMA apprentice artist program.
5. Apprentices are provided free shared housing (three people in each apartment) in Sarasota Opera’s apartment complex which is a ten-minute walk from the theater.
6. Sarasota Opera does not provide housing for spouses, family members, or significant others.
7. Each apartment is furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and other amenities.
8. No pets are allowed.
9. No smoking is allowed.
10. Each apartment houses three people. Each artist will get their own private bedroom. The bathroom, kitchen and living room are shared rooms. Each Apprentice Artist has the responsibility for keeping his/her apartment clean and damage-free.
Audition Requirements
1. Auditions for the Winter 2023 Apprentice Artists Program take place in September 2022.
2. Sarasota Opera is not able to hear every singer who applies because of the large number of applications that it receives. Marco Nisticò, Sarasota Opera’s Artistic Administrator, will contact singers who have been granted an audition. He will arrange a specific audition time via yaptracker.com. Please check your yaptracker.com account for audition appointment.
3. AUDITION ARIAS: You will need to come fully prepared with four (4) arias (memorized), though you might sing only one. ALL four arias must be from the standard European repertoire, Mozart through Puccini, to 1924, performed in the original language. No Handel, Monteverdi, Menotti, Britten, or Stravinsky, etc. - If you have wonderful high notes or outstanding low notes, choose arias that highlight them. For example: sopranos and tenors, if you have a high C, make sure to have at least one aria that has a high C.
- Your four arias should not include a selection in English
- You do not need to bring an aria from the season’s operas.
- Do not bring any selection from musical theater (e.g., Sondheim, Richard Rodgers) or operetta (e.g., Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow).
- The four audition arias listed on your application are major factors in the decision whether you will be to be granted an audition. You may not change these audition aria selections.
In addition to the four arias described above, we encourage you to have additional operatic arias from whatever repertoire, style, or language you choose ready to sing at your audition.
4. These auditions are for the Apprentice Artists Program only and not for any other program or role associated with Sarasota Opera. Please do not complete an application if you are not interested in being an Apprentice Artist.
5. Feedback on why you were selected/not selected to audition will not be given. Feedback on your audition will not be given.
6. Please Note:
• There is no fee to apply. If chosen to audition, there is no fee to sing.
• Each singer must provide a pianist. However, in New York, Chicago, and Sarasota, a staff pianist will be available for a $25 fee. The pianist fee is due in exact cash at the time of your audition.
• Only selected applicants will be granted an audition.
• Everyone who auditions must provide a hard copy of a current picture and updated resume on the audition day.
7. If cast as an Apprentice Artist, you must memorize all of your music before arriving in Sarasota in January 2023. Therefore, you will need to be able to schedule a substantial amount of time in mid-October, November and December to memorize your assignments. If you are unable to schedule time in these months for memorization, please do not audition for the program.
8. While in Sarasota, musical rehearsals of chorus music and concert repertoire are limited to the polishing of ensemble and the refinement of interpretation. Individual preparation of text and music is the responsibility of the Apprentice Artists prior to arrival in Sarasota. The musical staff of Sarasota Opera is not available for remedial note-learning sessions.
9. When applying, keep in mind that the Sarasota Opera focuses on Romantic Opera. If you are interested in this type of repertoire this is a good opportunity for you. If you are interested in contemporary or baroque opera, this may not be a good fit for you.
Audition Locations and Dates
New York, NY USA: Wed 7th Sep 2022 - Thu 8th Sep 2022
Chicago, IL USA: Sat 10th Sep 2022
Sarasota, FL USA:Mon 12th Sep 2022
APPRENTICE NYC AUDITIONS
Wednesday, September 7, 10am-6pm
Thursday, September 8, 10am-6pm
Venue: National Opera Center
APPRENTICE CHICAGO AUDITIONS
Saturday, September 10, 10am-6pm
Venue DePaul University
APPRENTICE SARASOTA AUDITIONS
Monday, September 12, 10am-6pm
Sarasota Opera House
61 N. Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota, FL
Season Information
2022-2023
Madama Butterfly (Puccini, in Italian) 10 performances
First rehearsal Jan 17
Performance #1 Feb 18
Perf #2 Feb 21
Perf #3 Feb 23
Perf #4 Feb 26 (m)
Perf #5 Mar 1
Perf #6 Mar 4 (m)
Perf #7 Mar 10
Perf #8 Mar 15
Perf #9 Mar 21 (m)
Perf #10 Mar 24
Don Giovanni (Mozart. In Italian) 8 performances
Jan 25 first rehearsal
Performance #1 Feb 25
Perf #2 Feb 28
Perf #3 Mar 2
Perf #4 Mar 5 (m)
Perf #5 Mar 8
Perf #6 Mar 12 (m)
Perf #7 Mar 18
Perf #8 Mar 25
Ernani (Verdi. In Italian) 6 performances
Feb 9 First rehearsal
Performance #1 Mar 11
Perf #2 Mar 14
Perf #3 Mar 16
Perf #4 Mar 18 (m)
Perf #5 Mar 22
Perf #6 Mar 26 (m)
Thérèse (Massenet. In French) 5 performances
Feb 16 first rehearsal
Performance #1 Mar 17
Perf #2 Mar 19 (m)
Perf #3 Mar 21
Perf #4 Mar 23
Perf #5 Mar 25 (m)
Sarasota Opera House
61 N. Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota, FL
Marco Nisticò - Artistic Administrator
Phone: 941-328-1310
Email: mnistico@sarasotaopera.org
