Advanced Opera Studies

Opera is a vibrant and integral component of the Voice Department at the Desautels Faculty of Music, at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Whether as a process or goal in itself, opera trains singers to engage as performers with their whole being. It requires complete physical presence in order to commit to the character and story telling as singing actors. The skills used in opera are relevant to all vocal repertoire, which is why we value it so highly as a learning tool as well as a vital art form.

Philosophy

At the Desautels Faculty of Music, we see singing and acting skills as integrated components of a singer’s communication, rather than as separate entities. Each supports and develops the other. Good language and diction skills are essential to operatic performance and all of our vocal instructors emphasize their importance and support the development of these skills. Opera is an ensemble art form and we value its collaborative nature.

Collaborating with Winnipeg’s Artistic Community

We are fortunate to be part of a thriving artistic community that is extremely appreciative of the work we do at the Desautels Faculty of Music.  Our students have performed as soloists and chorus members with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet (The Magic Flute), the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (Mozart’s Bastien et Bastienne), the Little Opera Company, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Rainbow Stage and Manitoba Opera.

We benefit from our relationship with Manitoba Opera through the many renowned guest artists that are made available to us for masterclasses, such as conductor Dean Williamson, directors Tom Diamond and Michael Cavanaugh, coach Stuart Hamilton and singers John Fanning, Russell Braun, Robin Follman, Elizabeth Turnbull and Judith Forst.