CAFÉ EUROPA – Call for OPERA SINGERS Artistic Residency – June 2025
About Sounds of Change
Sounds of Change is a project funded by the European Union through the Creative Europe programme that focuses mainly on generating opportunities for young musicians as well as artists from other disciplines.
Among other activities, Sounds of Change provides musicians with residencies, rehearsals and performances in an international context, workshops, master classes, seminars and training activities. Contexts that encourage exchanges among established artists and young artists, including the creation of different pieces, shows and productions, and the “Orchestral Academy”, an orchestra of young musicians that is convened every summer.
Sounds of Change aims to contribute to rethinking the Europe of the future in a sustainable environment that acknowledges the different identities and values that make up Europe. It is from this perspective that each of its projects and activities are created.
Innovation, multidisciplinary, staging work and the generation of professional experiences of international exchange are part of the spirit of Sounds of Change and this new Opera: Café Europa..
Five partners are part of Sounds of Change: The Portuguese Philharmonic Orchestra (OFP) as project leaders, together with the Serbian National Theatre (Serbia), Noletia from Spain, the Koblenz International Music Festival (Germany) and the BSA (Be Successful Artist) Association (Slovenia).
More info about Sounds of Change:
www.soundsofchange.eu
www.soundsofchange.eu/about/partners/programme-partners |
www.soundsofchange.eu/about/partners/project-founders
EUROPA CAFÉ - Call for OPERA SINGERS - June 2025
The Sounds of Change Project is partnered with the composer Christoph Renhart to write for the Café Europa Chamber Opera Project, based on the libretto “Between Memories” by Alexandre Honrado. Mr. Renhart is responsible for crafting the opera’s musical composition and will actively participate in the artistic residency.
This involvement aims to facilitate close collaboration with singers and narrators during the preparation period in NoviSad, where the opera is scheduled to premiere in June 2025. Additionally, the opera will also be premiered in Slovenia and Portugal.
Information about Novi Sad
A city on the banks of the famous Danube river shared by Vienna.
A city with a rich history nicknamed the Athens of Europe and the European Capital of Culture 2022
What we are looking for
Five opera singers with availability for the whole project.
CONDITIONS:
The financial conditions will be made known to the selected artists when selected.
This is a paid residency, the value varies between 2500 and 5000 Euros depending on the number of performances.
We will cover accomodation and meals. Plus all travel and board expenses.
How to participate
Applicant artists should send an email to filarmonica.portuguesa@gmail.com with “Singer – Café Europa” in the subject line.
The email should be written in english, include the full name, date of birth, a CV, and a video link featuring the necessary pieces.
All applications sent without the 2 mandatory Arias will not be considered.
The deadline for the submission is December 15th.
All auditions are done by video. The video containing both mandatory pieces should be sent before December 15th.
SELECTION:
The co-directors of the show and the composer himself will select the five singers who will be part of this opera production.
Information on roles
Open call for Opera Singers for an artistic residency in Serbia, Austria, Slovenia and Portugal.
- June 2-15, 2025 – Novi Sad, Serbia Opera residency for Singers
- June 21-25, 2025 – Austria, final preparations and rehearsals
- June 26, 2025 – Slovenia, general rehearsal
- June 27, 2025 – Slovenia Performance, World Premiere
- June 29, 2025 – Serbia, general rehearsal
- June 30, 2025 – Serbia Performance, Serbian Premiere
- Performances in Portugal 2025: Dates to be determined
We are looking for 5 singers:
- Europa: a dramatic mezzo-soprano
- A Philosopher, guests: Dramatic baritone
- Zeus: basso buffo
- Ghost I: lyric or spinto tenor
- Ghost II: soprano spinto
More information on each roles and mandatory arias and pieces for the audition
Europa (Main character)
Keeper of the Café Europa
Dramatic mezzo-soprano (range: G3 to A5)
Audition requirements:
- An excerpt from the actual opera (to be sent to all applicants after the sign-up period is over)
- R. Strauss: Elektra, Klytämnestra, from RM177 (“Ich habe keine guten Nächte”) until RM200 DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
- R. Strauss: Arabella, Adelaide, from RM98 (“Fort mit uns! Zur Tante Jadwiga.”) until RM107 DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
Pessoa, Kierkegaard, Steiner, Orpheus
Philosophers and guests visiting the café
Dramatic baritone (range: Bb2 to G4, focused on higher registers)
Audition requirements:
- An excerpt from the actual opera (to be sent to all applicants after the sign-up period is over)
- Berg: Wozzeck, Wozzeck, MM122–168 (Polka)
- Puccini: Tosca, Scarpia, from RM80 (“Tre sbirri”) DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
Zeus
God of the Gods
Basso buffo (range: F2 to F4 with occasional falsetto tones)
Audition requirements:
- An excerpt from the actual opera (to be sent to all applicants after the sign-up period is over)
- Berg: Wozzeck, Doktor, 4. Szene (beginning from MM487, until MM525)
- Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer, Daland, Zweiter Aufzug, Nr. 6, Arie (“Mögst du, mein Kind, den fremden Mann”) DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
Ghost I
The spirit of the brutal rule
Lyric or spinto tenor (range: C3 to A#4)
Audition requirements:
- An excerpt from the actual opera (to be sent to all applicants after the sign-up period is over)
- Puccini: Tosca, Cavaradossi, RM18 (“Recondita armonia”) DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
- Wagner: Der Fliegende Holländer, Erik, RM27 (“Auf hohem Felsen lag ich träumend”) DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
Ghost II
The spirit of the evil thoughts Soprano spinto (range: C4 to C6)
Audition requirements:
- An excerpt from the actual opera (to be sent to all applicants after the sign-up period is over)
- Schönberg: Erwartung, MM177–225 DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
- Janacek: Jenufa, Jenufa, RM2–3 (“Ach, es wird schon Abend”) DOWNLOAD EXCERPT
