Four productions
Join one of four casts: Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Die Zauberflöte or Hänsel und Gretel.
2027 season · Applications open
Summer Opera Training Program
Apply now- Program dates
- July 19 to August 22, 2027
- Location
- Varaždin, Croatia
- Google reviews
- 5.0on Google · 43 reviews
The experience
Five weeks on a real stage, with a real orchestra
Renowned mentors
Expect vocal rehearsals, stage rehearsals, masterclass and more!
Two venues
We will have 2 different venues in 2027: Croatian National Theatre in Varaždin and a Theatre in Novi Marof. Venue confirmation per production is still pending and you will be informed of the venue for your production before signing the contract.
Our promise to you
01
Individual feedback
Every applicant receives personal feedback, regardless of the result.
02
Free accommodation
Once accepted, you prepare your role independently before the academy, then stay in free shared accommodation in Croatia.
03
Intensive training
Role and repertoire training, audition workshops, masterclasses and individual vocal lessons. Rehearsal rooms open six days a week.
04
Career counselling
Individual career guidance after the program, once we've gotten to know you.
Faculty
Singing mentors
Founder and Artistic director
David Oštrek
Bass-baritone ensemble member at Berlin State Opera and soloist at the Bavarian State Opera, Irish National Opera, Bregenz Festival, Berlin Philharmonie.
Masterclass instructor
Lana Kos
World renowned soprano at Arena di Verona, Bayerische Staatsoper, Teatro Real, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Teatro San Carlo.
Masterclass instructor
Giancarlo del Monaco
One of the biggest directors of our time, son of the tenor legend Mario del Monaco.
Instructor in residence
Jelena Stefanić
Soprano soloist at Croatian National Theatre Osijek, Stateopera Rousse, Teatro Greco Taormina, Stateopera Muldybayev, NCPA China, Bunka Kaikan Tokyo, Wiener Musikverein, etc.
Instructor in residence
Ena Pongrac
Mezzo-soprano soloist at Theater Basel, Grand Théâtre de Genève and Jyväskylän Ooppera in Finland.
Director
Taro Morikawa
Director and stage manager at MDW Wien, Bregenzer Festspiele, Theater an der Wien.
Conductor
Darijan Ivezić
Conductor and pianist at Zagreb National Theatre and Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich.
Instructor in residence
Jaka Mihelač
Baritone soloist at State Opera Berlin, Opera National de Montpellier, Festival Aix-en-Provence, Slovenian National Opera.
Instructor in residence
Tamara Ivaniš
Soprano soloist at Salzburger Landestheater.
The program
Choose your role and perform on stage
Alongside director preparation, role and stage rehearsals and corrections with the conductor, you can take part in:
- Individual voice lessons
- Masterclasses
- Audition workshops
- Career counselling
Student testimonials
In their words
5.0
43 reviews on Google · as of October 2026
Singers often mentionrehearsal time 13professional orchestra 11Die Zauberflöte 11voice lessons 7
FAQ
Have some questions?
If you have a question that is not listed below or wish to have a chat, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
[email protected]Do I need to speak Croatian?
No. All COA programs are conducted in English. Croatian people are also very internationally friendly and can adapt to new people easily, so you won’t need to be fluent in Croatian in order to explore the cities and our culture.
Is there an age limit in order to apply?
There are no age limits in order for you to participate in COA programs. The average age of participants is between ages of 19 to 36, but we accept musicians based on their potential, not age.
Are accommodation and food included in my tuition?
Accommodation will be provided for you in the city of Varaždin or Novi Marof, depending on production location. As for your meals, they are not included in your tuition. You can find more information about what’s included in your tuition here.
What if I am not sure which role to apply for?
Don’t worry. This doesn’t impact your application at all. During the selection process our team will assign you a role that is best suited for you based on your voice and experience.
Do you accept applications via email?
We can only accept applications submitted via the form on our website. Once the form is submitted you will be requested to pay application fee. This covers a small part of our administrative expenses. If you have any issues with the form, please contact us via email.
What does the application process look like?
You can find all the details here. Shortly, you submit the online form and pay an application fee. After that you will get a confirmation email with further info. Expect one or 2 interviews. Role offer is the last step. :)
Your opera stage experience is closer than you think.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Apply now