The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS): new opera studio in Norway!

The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS)
The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet, Talent Norway and Shipowner Tom Wilhelmsen’s Foundation are launching a new opera studio for young singers who have recently completed their opera education and are on the threshold of a professional career. WOYS is founded and artistically managed by Opera Director Randi Stene.

From 2024, the studio will play a central role in the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. Every second year WOYS will recruit 4–6 singers who will be full-time salaried employees with the Norwegian National Opera running for two seasons. Age limit of singers entering the studio is 32 years.

The young singers will perform minor roles and cover positions in Norwegian National Opera productions on the Main Stage and will have their own recitals, as well as larger roles and an annual production on the Second Stage, where they will be working with professional directors and conductors. They will be receiving instruction in singing, language, drama, dance, body image, ensemble singing, recitative singing, mental training, opera history and interpretation.

Applications
The Wilhelmsen Opera Studio for Young Singers (WOYS) is now open for applications

To apply for auditions, please send an email to WOYS@operaen.no that includes:

A link to a video recording presenting two arias in different languages. The recording must be a full single-capture of each aria without editing and should be uploaded to an online platform (such as YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox or WeTransfer)
A curriculum vitae of maximum one page
A recent photograph of the applicant
Deadline for applications is Monday 16th October 2023

Auditions
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within 1st November 2023 and will then be invited to one of the following two optional live auditions weekends at the Opera House in Oslo:

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th November 2023
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th December 2023

Please specify in your email if you have a strong preference for one of the two weekends.

WOYS does not provide any financial assistance towards attending the auditions and does not refund travel or accommodation expenses for attending the auditions. Furter details on the auditions will be given the shortlisted candidates.

For questions, please email: WOYS@operaen.no