Merola Opera Program

Description

The Merola Opera Program is one of the world's premier training programs for opera singers, coaches and stage directors. For 50 years, Merola's success in recruiting and launching the careers of the finest young opera talent has been unparalleled. The list of Merola alumni is a virtual "who's who" of the opera world.
Over 700 international candidates, aged 20-34, audition for approximately 28 coveted spaces in this life-altering program. The Merola participants, all on the brink of thrilling careers, spend a summer in San Francisco participating in master classes, private coaching sessions and courses. The courses cover the vast array of skills and artistry required of an opera artist: musical style and interpretation, language, diction, movement, acting, stage technique, makeup, fencing and more!
Throughout the program, the young artists perform fully staged opera productions and concerts before the Bay Area public. The training and stage experience provide the necessary skills to launch these young artists into successful operatic careers.
The 11-week program is fully underwritten to ensure a climate of artistic excellence free from financial burdens. Merola is able to sustain a world-class training program and safeguard the future of this art form as a result of its many generous individual, corporate and foundation donors.