“The Festival Opera Chorus… delivered a robust, energized performance.” Contra Costa Times, July 7, 2007

Each summer, Festival Opera produces two operas with varying demands for chorus. This most recent season’s sold-out production of Carmen had a chorus of forty-nine adults and eleven boys; the second opera, the critically acclaimed West Coast premiere of Ned Rorem’s newest opera, Our Town, had a chorus of only nineteen adults. Singers are chosen for the two operas based on auditions held in the fall of the prior year. In addition to the two operas, the Festival Opera Chorus is featured in the annual concert at Opera In The Park.

Requirements for participation in the Festival Opera Chorus are:
  • Ability to read music
  • Good physical health and stamina
  • Ability to learn music independently
  • Availability for all rehearsals and performances

    AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT: A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Festival Opera is is seeking 20 treble voices for the second production of this summer season, A Midsummer Night's Dream by Benjamin Britten, which was originally performed with a boys chorus as the treble voices. Interested singers – women, girls, countertenors and boys with unchanged voices – are encouraged to e-mail the Chorus Master.

    Singers must be no taller than 5' 8" and a small body type. Singers must be able to read music, have exceptional accuracy of pitch and be able to learn the music independently of rehearsals. Those selected will be expected to have exemplary rehearsal discipline.

    Music rehearsals will begin in late April and will be scheduled once the chorus has been selected and rehearsal availability has been established. Staging rehearsals will begin approximately July 21st. Listed below are important production dates which singers must be able to meet.

    A Midsummer Night's Dream
    • August 4, 5, 6 – Tech and dress rehearsals – 6:00 p.m. call
    • August 7 – Preview for invited guests, 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. call
    • August 9 – 1st Performance, 8:00 pm – 6:00 p.m. call
    • August 12 – 2nd Performance, 8:00 p.m. – 6 p.m. call
    • August 15 – 3rd Performance, 8:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. call
    • August 17 – 4th (and final) Performance, Matinee 2:00p.m. – 12:00 p.m. call
    Singers interested in auditioning should prepare a short selection, in English, which must be sung from memory. To schedule an audition, please e-mail Mr. James Toland, chorus master, at the e-mail address located at the top of the right-hand column.
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    Chorus Master
    James Toland:


    Audition Information Sheet

    Chorus FAQ