Our current Summer Program
Jerusalem Lyric Opera Studio & Festival 2026
July 6–24, 2026
The Jerusalem Lyric Opera Studio is established for the promotion of the art of opera, and the nurturing of young talent in Israel as well as from abroad, through intensive and individually tailored instruction by a renowned faculty of artists of international acclaim from the Teatro alla Scala Milano, Opéra National de Paris, Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House and Vienna Staatsoper, among others. Such complementary training is paramount for the successful transition of young singers from an academic setting onto the professional opera world. The program includes fully staged opera productions, an opera gala concert with orchestra, concerts of bel canto, French and baroque repertoire, voice lessons and coaching, as well as master classes with weekly-changing guest conductors, professors and coaches.
Our Aims
Our aim is to encourage mutual cultural dialogue amongst nations, creating innovative opportunities to enhance and promote opera as one of the highest forms of art and a universal language, and to motivate young artists by offering them the opportunity to further their careers and improve their professional technique — with real professional opportunities for employment in the musical world, and an international network involving further educational opportunities, musical training institutions, theaters and performances. We expect that our singers are vocally stable and ready for entry into the profession, be that into an opera studio, as a guest, or as a “fest” member of an opera ensemble. We look forward immensely to hearing from you!
A Real Career Pathway
From Opera Studio participant to International Festival guest artist — one step away
Participation in our summer program offers more than professional training — it’s a proven pathway to a real stage career. We regularly invite top alumni to perform at our Summer Opera Festival as guest artists. That means successful participants gain a genuine chance to receive an on-festival offer — up to a contract engagement. Such invitations often become the first professional step in an international career: artists return to perform, take on new roles, work with the orchestra, and make contacts with directors and agents.
Opera productions are the most important part of the Summer Opera Studio. Three casts of singers are selected for each opera production, and all selected singers receive highly professional training, including group and individual rehearsals with conductors and coaches.
This season, the Summer Program stages the following productions:
La Sonnambula
Audition Requirements ↓Così fan tutte
Audition Requirements ↓La traviata
Audition Requirements ↓Auditions
To submit your application to the Summer Program, use the Apply button below and fill out the application form. You will receive an email confirming your application and giving you instructions related to your audition.
Live Auditions
24.12.2025 — Live Audition in Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance
14.01.2026 — Live Audition in Jerusalem Academy of Music & Dance
Additional dates will be announced later.
Recorded Audition
For the recorded audition, submit a link to a YouTube video of your audition in the application form (a professional recording is preferable). You should submit an audition video with piano accompaniment or with orchestra.
Note: there is no deadline for recorded auditions, but early applying is recommended for early casting — the number of participants is limited.
Audition Results
The audition result letter is sent out regardless of the result. Casting usually starts in January and finishes in April — in special cases this may take longer. We appreciate your patience, and ask that you notify us of any changes in your plans to participate in the summer program.
Audition Requirements
Please prepare two contrasting arias of your choice (one in Italian). Applicants who would like to be considered for roles in the productions below should prepare the arias and extracts listed for their chosen role.
La Sonnambula
Vincenzo Bellini
Reference edition: Ricordi
| Role | Voice Type | Audition Repertoire |
|---|---|---|
| Alessio | Bass | 2 arias of your own choice by Rossini, Bellini or Donizetti |
| Amina | Soprano | Arias: "Come per me sereno", "Ah! non credea mirarti/si presto estinto, o fiore" |
| Count Rodolfo | Bass | Aria: "Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni" |
| Elvino | Tenore | Aria: "Perdona, o mia diletta... Prendi: L'anel ti dono" |
| Ensemble | All | 2 arias of your own choice by Rossini, Bellini or Donizetti |
| Lisa | Soprano | Aria: "Tutto è festa...Sol per me non non v'ha contento" |
| Notary | Tenore | 2 arias of your own choice by Rossini, Bellini or Donizetti |
| Teresa | Mezzo-soprano | 2 arias of your own choice by Bellini or Donizetti |
Così fan tutte
W. A. Mozart
Reference edition: Bärenreiter
| Role | Voice Type | Audition Repertoire |
|---|---|---|
| Despina | Soprano | Aria ”In uomini”, Aria “Una donna a quindici anni” |
| Don Alfonso | Bass | Aria "Tutti accusan le donne” |
| Dorabella | Mezzo-soprano | Aria ”Smanie implacabili”, Aria “È amore un ladroncello” |
| Ferrando | Tenor | Aria "un’aura amorosa", Aria ”Ah, lo veggio” |
| Fiordiligi | Soprano | Aria "Come scoglio", aria “Per pietà, ben mio, perdona” |
| Guglielmo | Baritone | Aria "Non siate ritrosi", Aria ”Donne mie, la fate a tanti” |
La traviata
G. Verdi
Reference edition: Ricordi
| Role | Voice Type | Audition Repertoire |
|---|---|---|
| Annina | Soprano | 2 arias of your own choice |
| Flora Bervoix | Mezzo | 2 arias of your own choice |
Fees & Tuition
The summer program is supported and subsidized by the Jerusalem Municipality and the Ministry of Culture and Sport in Israel, which allows us to keep tuition lower than similar programs in Israel and Europe.
| Application fee — recorded audition | €40 |
| Application fee — live audition | €25 (₪100) |
| Tuition — solo / understudy roles, full training | €1,250 |
| Tuition — ensemble track, with possibility of roles | €1,000 |
All tuition deposits are non-refundable under any circumstances.
Scholarships
A limited number of partial and full scholarships are available for participants demonstrating exceptional ability or particular need. In special cases, the Summer Program covers travel and accommodation expenses. To apply for a scholarship, please include a brief explanation of your request when filling out the application form.
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the tuition price and is not provided by the Summer Program. Participants arrange their own housing (we're happy to advise).
The Summer Program organizers reserve the right to change, amend, modify, suspend, continue or terminate all or any part of the Program, either in an individual case or in general, at any time without notice.
Meet the Team
Our Faculty
Sofia Mazar
Artistic Director, Vocal Coach, Conductor, Musicologist
Markus Hollop
Casting & Artistic Production Officer, the Grand Théâtre de Genève
Alexander Kaimbacher
Professor, Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität, the Vienna State Opera School.
Adina Nitescu
Soprano, Voice teacher
Anna Sushon
Head of studies, Neue Oper Wien, conductor, coach
Patrick Baton
Conductor
Andrei Munteanu
Artistic Director, Yiddish State Theater in Bucharest,Romania
Ethan Schmeisser
Conductor
Adina Cocargeanu
Vocal Coach, "Ion Dacian" National Operetta and Musical Theater
Deividas Staponkus
Dean of the LMTA Faculty of Music
Larisa Tetuev
Soprano, Voice Teacher
Marina Levitt
Soprano, Voice Teacher