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MA Opera Directing

To help you prepare for your interview, please read the following guidance notes carefully.

Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of the information provided on the UCAS Conservatoires application form, CV and supporting statement. We recommend that applicants pay particular attention to the information they provide in their personal statement (on the UCAS

Conservatoires form). Use the form to demonstrate a proven interest in the field of opera and directing.

Once you submit your UCAS Conservatoires application you should submit your supporting documentation via Acceptd by 23 October 2023.

Your submission

Applicants to the Opera Directing programme are initially required to submit a CV detailing all theatre and music experience. Please include both professional and amateur experiences, as well as experiences not directly related to directing.

Please also submit a short statement (600 words) acknowledging the following questions:

  1. Why are you interested in opera?
  2. How do you see the opera director’s role?
  3. What can you bring to the role of an opera director?

Following the assessment of the recorded submission we will inform you if: 

  • You have been shortlisted and will be invited to attend a further interview (either online or in person); or  
  • You have not been successful on this occasion. 

Audition guidance

Your further Interview

The audition panel will shortlist following consideration of the submission. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an interview.

You will be notified of the interview date and time via email.

Interviews for submissions submitted by the deadline will usually take place in November / December.

During the interview, you will be asked to complete two tasks:

  1. Please explain how you would approach directing Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro scene in English No.20: the duet “The Breezes” (“Sull’aria”) and the little section of recitative leading into this duet between Susannah and the Countess beginning “That’s amazing” (“Cosa mi narri!”). 

If you require a copy of this, please contact the College. The full English translation of The Marriage of Figaro by Jeremy Sams can be found here:
www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%203113

You will have 10 minutes to present during the interview.

You should consider which production and why, how you would approach directing the production and who would be your ideal creative team and why. You will have 5 minutes to make this presentation during the interview.

You will also be encouraged to talk about your creative interests, activities and professional aspirations. Please also take this opportunity to ask questions relating to the College and the course.

  1. A short proposal for a full production of one of the following three operas:
  2. The Coronation of Poppea – Monteverdi
  3. Cosi Fan Tutte – Mozart
  4. Peter Grimes – Britten

What happens next?

We aim to communicate decisions within 3 weeks of an interview. All decisions following interviews will be communicated via UCAS Conservatoires Hub / email. Please note some departments audition over several weeks and decisions may not be confirmed until all applicants have been seen. 

Candidates who are offered places will have the opportunity to visit RWCMD in person prior to the acceptance deadline.

Explore section

Overview

Giving you an opportunity to showcase your skills and personality is an important part of our applicant selection process. Here, we outline everything you need to know about auditioning for our music, opera, drama and musical theatre courses.

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