Online Solo Opera Performance

When & Where

25 April 2023 - 4 July 2023 ( 20 hours, 10 weeks )
Evening, Tuesday
View course timetable
Online

Quick Facts

Availability Yes
Tutor Jorge Balça
Course Code W22VSSC03C
Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

In a post-pandemic world, having discovered that there are alternatives to our old industry practices, we learn to navigate new demands, meet new minimum requirements, and learn new skills in order to stay competitive. The opera world is indeed evolving and there are certainly very few performers who have not been asked to send a self-tape for an audition; but how many have had any type of training (technical and/or creative) on how to produce one? Even how to think or approach the recording of one? What creative choices can you make so that yours is not ‘just another’ self-tape? This online course, led by an experienced international opera director and acting coach, will give you the tools you need to up your self-tape game. Add new technical skills, individual coaching sessions and a supportive community of your peers, and by the end of term you will have your brand new self-tape.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

•Differentiate types of self-tape and list their strengths, weaknesses and appropriateness for the desired goal
• Consider and operate the video and audio recording equipment necessary to produce the self-tape you planned
• Demonstrate examples of the basic three-point lighting and purposefully deviate from that model for dramatic reasons
• Perform the chosen aria for the camera with particular attention to acting the role

Cost

Full fee

£245

Concession fee

£185

Class format and activities

The sessions will all be delivered online in a group class setting, with individual coaching slots all in masterclass format (with colleagues watching and supporting). Tutor feedback and recommendations will be provided in each coaching slot. There will be opportunities for questions and group discussion, and time devoted to acting methodology (group work).

Entry requirements

This course is suitable for singing students at intermediate and advanced level. You are expected to have had at least two years of singing lessons, and to have acquired ground technique in classical singing that enables you to explore the acting element of opera performance. The ability to learn an aria using a music score is essential. You should have already explored a small number of operatic arias suitable for your voice. To fully benefit from this course, you are strongly advised to also be working individually with a singing teacher at least every 2 weeks, or attending one of the Advanced Solo Singing courses at Morley College.

What you need to know before you enrol

You are responsible for providing a piano backing track of your chosen repertoire. The college is unable to provide backing tracks, but we will be happy to advise on piano accompanists from whom you can order your own backing tracks upon request.

What you need

The online mode of delivery requires: - A fast and reliable internet connection - A device (computer or tablet) with a working camera, microphone and speakers (internal or external) - A separate device to play the piano backing track from (see above – ‘What you need to know before you enrol’) - The Microsoft Teams app - free copies will be available to download with your Morley College IT account

What you can do next

Depending on your level, you can apply for one of our opera courses, such as the Introduction to Opera Performance or the Morley Opera School. This course is also suitable for professional level singers who wish to enhance their online performance portfolio eg. to create good audition tapes, so the course may help you with your auditions for professional opportunities.