Lyric Arts France / Festival Opéra Bastide

Young Artists work in collaboration with world-class singers, directors, conductors, coaches, and choreographers, both in production rehearsals and in training sessions. These include individual and group vocal and repertoire coaching, masterclasses, auditioning classes, seminar sessions for directors and stage managers, and career seminars addressing opportunities in Europe and the United States. There is also a focus on singing in French, French arias, and Art Song, with daily French language classes available for non-French participants.

SOLO ROLES

We work hard to cast all Young Artists in as many appropriate solo roles as possible, as well as in all cover roles. Most roles are double-cast. Most operas are given four performances, so that each cast sings two nights. Most Artists also sing and dance in the ensemble for Carmen, and all participate in the concerts and optional late-night cabaret programs as well.

All roles in all productions are currently open to Young Artists.

TUITION AND ACCOMMODATION FEES

Tuition for the Young Artist Program including individual coachings and voice lessons as well as group sessions is $3,500 (USD). Housing through the festival can be added if desired for $1,000 (USD) Prices are quoted in US dollars but can be paid in a variety of currencies. This tuition rate is significantly less than many other European Young Artist Programs of this length and caliber, a number of which do not offer inexpensive housing options.

SCHOLARSHIPS

A generous number of full and partial scholarships will be available – around 75% of participants in 2024 received a scholarship of some kind. See below for more details.

AUDITIONS

Auditions are submitted as online video recordings via the website yaptracker.com. Please note that recorded videos must be uploaded as a part of the application process; a live audition may also be available by invitation in Toulouse and Villefranche-de-Rougergue (France), in London (UK), and Denton, Texas (USA).

Repertoire for auditions: you need to offer at least three numbers, all videoed, and if you have videos of you performing something on stage that is good too though not essential. At least one of the numbers needs to be in French. If you are interested in The Fantasticks/Les Romanesques you should include some lighter material. While it is not required, performing something from the piece you are interested in always helps, particularly if you are interested in a lead role… and if you are interested in Carmen or The Fantasticks/Les Romanesques, please don’t forget to add a video of you speaking some French text also (any text will do).

A modest Application Fee of $25 is payable on submission of audition materials, also via the website yaptracker.com.