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Jul 18 - Aug 22, 2024

Opera training program 2024

Four productions

Become a member of one of the 4 casts - La Clemenza di Tito, King Arthur, Hansel and Gretel or Dido and Aeneas.

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Renowed mentors

All our mentors are carefully selected to fit the educational needs of all participants. Vocal rehearsals, stage rehearsals, all is ready for you!

Renowed mentors picture

National theatre

Perform and practice on the stage of Croatian National Theater in Varaždin.

National theatre picture

Our promise to you

We guarantee each applicant an individualized feedback, regardless of the application results.

If you do get in, first steps include online role prep with lecturers and the director before the start of the academy and free accomodation in Varaždin, Croatia, once you're with us.

We will be working together on role and repertoire trainings, audition workshops, master classes and individual vocal trainings in rehersing rooms available 6 days a week in order to create the best performance that the stage of the Croatian National Theatre has ever seen.

As an extra bonus, there is individual career counseling as well as career-oriented workshops.

Opera Mentors

David Oštrek

David Oštrek

Founder and Artistic director

Bass-baritone ensemble member at Berlin State Opera and soloist at the Bavarian State Opera, Irish National Opera, Bregenz Festival, Berlin Philharmonie.

Lana Kos

Lana Kos

Masterclass instructor

World renowned soprano at Arena di Verona, Bayerische Staatsoper, Teatro Real, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Teatro San Carlo.

Giancarlo del Monaco

Giancarlo del Monaco

Masterclass instructor

One of the biggest directors of our time, son of the tenor legend Mario del Monaco.

Thomas Guggeis

Thomas Guggeis

Visiting Instructor

World-renowned conductor at the MET in New York, Scala di Milano, Vienna State Opera, Berlin State Opera and general music director of Frankfurt Opera.

Alfredo Daza

Alfredo Daza

Masterclass instructor

World-renowned baritone at San Francisco Opera, Berlin State Opera, Dallas Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu, LA Opera, Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Colon.

Ena Pongrac

Ena Pongrac

Instructor in residence

Mezzo-soprano soloist at Theater Basel, Grand Théâtre de Genève and Jyväskylän Ooppera in Finland.

Taro Morikawa

Taro Morikawa

Director

Director and stage manager at MDW Wien, Bregenzer Festspiele, Theater an der Wien.

Darijan Ivezić

Darijan Ivezić

Conductor

Conductor and pianist at Zagreb National Theatre and Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich.

Jaka Mihelač

Jaka Mihelač

Instructor in residence

Baritone soloist at State Opera Berlin, Opera National de Montpellier, Festival Aix-en-Provence, Slovenian National Opera.

Tamara Ivaniš

Tamara Ivaniš

Instructor in residence

Soprano soloist at Salzburger Landestheater.

On-stage performance

Rehersals and pefrormances will be held at the Croatian National Theatre, Varaždin.

The stage, scene, costumes, makeup... We thought of everything.

Performance

Stay up to date

Stay in the loop about applications opening, receive exclusive announcements and discounts. Even get tips from our mentors!

FAQ

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 19-36, 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. As for your meals, they are not included in your tuition. You can find more information about what’s included in your tuition here.

Application for 2024 will open soon.

Croatian Opera Academy

Antuna Branka Šimića 1,

42000 Varaždin

[email protected]