Portland Opera seeks talented boy sopranos for the role of ‘Miles’ in Britten’s The Turn of the Screw

Principal Coach Robert Ainsley and General Director Christopher Mattaliano will be holding preliminary auditions for this demanding principal role.  Candidates should be prepared to sing a piece or two of their own choosing which demonstrate their vocalism, musicianship and dramatic presence, to vocalize as directed by Mr. Ainsley, and possibly to prepare and perform a short dramatic reading.

Preliminary Auditions:
August 9-10, 2008
The Hampton Opera Center
211 SE Caruthers St
Portland OR 97214

To arrange an audition time and arrange to send in available materials (resume/headshot etc.) prior to the audition please contact music@portlandopera.org.

In the event that the chosen weekend proves impossible for some candidates, personal audition times may be arranged at the company’s discretion. A shortlist will be created from this preliminary round; the selected candidates will then work over the following few weeks with Mr. Ainsley before final auditions for stage director Nicholas Muni around the beginning of October.

This is a fabulous opportunity for two talented boys, who will perform alongside two of America’s leading vocalists, the soprano Brenda Harris and the tenor Anthony Dean Griffey (who sang the title role of Peter Grimes in the Metropolitan Opera’s recent production).  The opera hopes to cast two boys in the role, either to share the performances, or to function as a principal and a cover.  Ideal candidates for the role will be between the ages of 7-15, with a strong unbroken treble singing voice, and good musical and acting skills.

Intensive staging rehearsals will begin in early 2009; individual musical coaching will be carried out by Principal Coach, Robert Ainsley, in the preceding months.

As part of Portland Opera’s 2008/09 season, Benjamin Britten’s opera The Turn of the Screw will receive four performances at the Keller Auditorium on February 6, 8, 12 and 14, 2009.  The opera is an extremely taut and probing psychological drama based around the eponymous chilling tale by the American author Henry James, resting heavily on the interaction between the central protagonist, the governess, and her two charges, the children Miles and Flora.  The role of Flora is generally given to a youthful soprano, but the role of Miles is especially written for a talented boy soprano with an unbroken voice.

PORTLAND OPERA STUDIO AUDITIONS for 2009-2010 Season

Audition Locations and Dates

Portland, OR
Hampton Opera Center
November 14, 2008

New York City
Liederkranz Hall
December 1, 2, 2008  (with callbacks on the December 3, 2008)

Application Procedure
(Please provide the following):

•    Detailed résumé  
•    1 8x10 black and white photograph clearly marked with your name
•    CD with 4 Operatic Arias: one each in Italian, French, English, and German (Russian or Czech will be accepted in lieu of German).  Musical Theatre or Oratorio will not be accepted.
Please list your arias and name on the CD.
Those without will not be considered.
•    Non-refundable application fee of $25 paid to the Portland Opera by money order only
•    Cover Letter specifying city and or date preferred (Date requests for NYC will be given in order of receipt)

Audition Requirements
•    As this program is designed to bridge the gap between an artist’s education and professional career; ideal candidates have completed their postgraduate education and may have had some professional experience. Most applicants are between 24 to 32 years of age.

Application Deadline
•    Applications must be in our offices by October 6, 2008

Audition Notification
•    Those chosen to audition will be notified via email by October 13, 2008

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Mail all the above materials to:
Portland Opera Studio Auditions
211 SE Caruthers
Portland, OR 97214

For additional questions you may email:
music@portlandopera.org

MAINSTAGE AUDITIONS

Are by appointment only and should be arranged by contacting the General Director’s assistant at 503-241-1407.

PORTLAND OPERA ORCHESTRA AUDITIONS

Auditions for the Orchestra are held on an as-needed basis.  New musicians in town are encouraged to send your resume to be considered for the sub list and to be notified of any relevant upcoming auditions.
Please send your resume via email.