Opera Caledonia Performance Project: Suor Angelica 5th - 10th July 2027
An exciting opportunity for a cast of singers performing at conservatoire level or beyond to rehearse and perform Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” in Edinburgh, Scotland under the guidance of Music Director Derek Clark (former Head of Music, Scottish Opera) and Director Adrian Osmond (engagements include English Touring Opera & Scottish Opera). Perform in the gothic surroundings of St. Vincent’s Chapel, one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful churches, alongside strings from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
Singers can expect an intensive schedule of staging and music rehearsals, sitzprobes, cover rehearsals and dress rehearsals ahead of two public performances, all under the guidance of Derek Clark and Director Adrian Osmond.
A public principal performance will take place on Saturday 10th July, 7.30pm at St. Vincent’s Chapel. This performance will be conducted from the piano by Derek Clark alongside strings from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
A public cover concert performance will take place on Friday 9th July, 7.30pm at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians. This performance will be conducted from the piano by Derek Clark.
Puccini’s beautiful one-act opera “Suor Angelica” (sung in Italian) tells the tragic story of Sister Angelica, forced into a convent by her family following scandal. Angelica’s life in the convent is one of routine and repentance, but her world is shattered when she receives devastating news from her estranged family.
Available Roles
Suor Angelica: Soprano
La Zia Principessa: Mezzo-Soprano
La Badessa: Mezzo-Soprano
La Suora Zelatrice: Mezzo-Soprano
La Maestra della Novizie: Mezzo Soprano
Suor Genovieffa: Soprano
Suor Osmina: Soprano
Suor Dolcina: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
La Suora Infermiera: Mezzo-Soprano
Sorelle Cercatrice: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
Le Novizie: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
Le Converse: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
Ensemble: Soprano/Mezzo-Soprano
Singers are welcome to audition for principal roles, cover roles and/or ensemble. With the exception of singers assigned the roles of Suor Angelica and La Zia Principessa in the public principal performance, all singers assigned a role in the public principal performance will also be required to rehearse and perform in the ensemble for the public cover concert performance with no exceptions. All singers who are assigned a cover role will primarily rehearse and perform in the ensemble for the public principal performance, in addition to participating in cover rehearsals and performing their cover role in the public cover concert performance.
Singers must come with their role fully prepared with no exceptions. Should the Music Director deem a singer to be insufficiently prepared, they reserve the right to either assign the singer as a cover (rehearsing in the capacity of a cover and performing in the cover performance only) or remove them from the project completely. No refunds can be claimed in either instance.
Singers will be required to work from the Ricordi edition of the Vocal Score (SKU Code: CP12161205) and are responsible for providing their own copy.
The public principal performance (and associated sitzprobe and dress rehearsal) will be performed with piano and strings from the Orchestra of Scottish Opera. The public cover concert performance (and associated sitzprobe and dress rehearsal) will be performed with piano accompaniment only. Both public performances will be filmed and made available to singers free of charge.
The Edinburgh Society of Musicians is the perfect venue for exploring both the beautiful New Town and historic Old Town of Edinburgh, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Highlights within walking distance include Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens, The Scott Monument, The Royal Mile, St. Giles’ Cathedral and The Palace of Holyroodhouse amongst others. There will be time to explore the local area for those who wish to do so.
St. Vincent’s Chapel is a mid-19th-century gothic architectural gem that opened in 1857 and is one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful churches. Celebrated for its excellent acoustics, St. Vincent’s Chapel provides the perfect atmospheric setting for Puccini’s tragic opera.
Participants are responsible for their own accommodation. From hotels to hostels, airbnbs to guest houses; the city centre of Edinburgh has something for everyone. Meals are not provided. Limited kitchen facilities are available. There are many restaurants, cafes and bars within walking distance offering a range of cuisine including traditional Scottish fare. Complimentary tea & coffee is provided.
Throughout the project, optional social events will be organised in the evenings for participants to enjoy should they choose to do so.
Participants should arrive at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians ready to attend a Company Meeting at 9.30am on Monday 5th July. The project will end on Saturday 10th July at 8.30pm following the public principal performance at St. Vincent’s Chapel.
The creative team is subject to alteration. A suitable replacement will be provided should an advertised member of the creative team become unavailable. Both venues are subject to alteration. Refunds cannot be claimed in the event of a change to the creative team or venue(s).
All rehearsals and the public cover performance take will place at the Edinburgh Society of Musicians, a beautiful Victorian building in the heart of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Remarkably located in The Dean Village, a tranquil green oasis on the Water of Leith, the Edinburgh Society of Musicians is housed in an historic building of famed architect Sir George Washington Browne, built in 1891.
The Edinburgh Society of Musicians is a short walk from Waverley and Haymarket Stations, Edinburgh’s two central train stations situated in the city centre. There are fast and frequent tram and bus services linking Edinburgh Airport and the city centre.
The participation fee for all roles (including ensemble) is £500.00. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Edinburgh. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation.
Opera Caledonia’s Performance Project is suitable for singers performing at conservatoire level or beyond and does not discriminate against artists based on race, nationality, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability and/or age.
Payment plans are available to spread the cost of the participation fee. Please specify your interest in a payment plan on application.
Application Deadline: 26th February 2027.
Some roles may be assigned on a first come, first served basis at the discretion of Opera Caledonia so early application is advised.
Please note that there are no scholarships available to singers.
Once a role has been offered, the applicant will have one week to confirm their participation by making relevant payment (partial or full) and returning a signed contract. After this time, if participation has not been confirmed through both payment and return of a signed contract, the role will be offered to another applicant.
Places are strictly limited. Depending on availability, late applications may be accepted at the discretion of Opera Caledonia.
Full details and application are available at www.operacaledonia.co.uk/performance-project/
Participants of the Performance Project: Suor Angelica are also welcome to apply/participate in Opera Caledonia’s Vocal Studio Course running from 28th June – 4th July 2027. Full details can be found at www.operacaledonia.co.uk/vocal-studio-course-2027/
