HSOW offers continue

Posted by on Jan 10, 2012 in 2012 Workshop, Auditions | 4 comments

Just an update on the status of HSOW’s offers.  We have made our initial or, in some cases, secondary round of offers, and are waiting to hear back from some of the successful candidates.  Our goal is to double cast every role where possible.

We are getting our package ready to go out to those candidates who have accepted our offers.  I hope to get these out electronically in the next week.

Thanks for your patience, and don’t hesitate to contact me if you need more information.

Nina

First round of offers made

Posted by on Nov 23, 2011 in 2012 Workshop, Auditions | 4 comments

Arthur Rackham, The meeting of Oberon and Titania, 1905

I have made the first round of offers by phone calls and email.  If you haven’t heard from me, you should know that the process isn’t complete yet, so don’t despair.  Because some singers are more flexible in type than others (or I see them as being more flexible), I may be holding them in reserve for the next round of offers.

If you have an offer from another program, and need to know your status with us, please email me at mco [at] ns.sympatico.ca and I’ll let you know if you’re on a “pending” list.

This has been the hardest audition season yet in some ways — the superb quality of the singers we heard means that many, many very deserving performers will not get an offer, which makes me quite unhappy.  I truly wish we could find places for you all.

With great respect,

Nina

Halifax auditions tomorrow!

Posted by on Nov 20, 2011 in General | 0 comments


It’s our last day of auditions tomorrow, and we can’t wait to hear all the people in our hometown. Lots and lots of new people singing for us, which is very exciting, and lots of old friends as well. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

HSOW looking for intern collaborative pianists

Posted by on Nov 17, 2011 in General | 1 comment


The Halifax Summer Opera Workshop is offering opportunities for one or two intern collaborative pianists this summer. Interns will support the work of our three vocal coaches, play some masterclasses and may have the opportunity to accompany some of the works in the one-act opera programme in performance.

The workshop runs between July 16 and August 12, 2012, in the beautiful city of Halifax, Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada.

While interns will not have to pay a fee to HSOW, these are unpaid positions. We’re a very supportive and positive organization, which seeks to encourage all our participants to stretch themselves as artists in a safe environment.

For more information, please email Nina Scott-Stoddart at mco@ns.sympatico.ca.

Extended deadline for electronic audition submissions — November 21, 2011

Posted by on Nov 15, 2011 in 2012 Workshop, Auditions | 0 comments

Mailed audition materials are still to be postmarked by tomorrow, November 15, but if you’re going to upload your materials, we’re happy to accept them until November 21st.

Posted by on Nov 15, 2011 in General | 0 comments

I’d like to thank everyone who made last week’s audition tour so successful and full of joy, especially Marja Ernst, Torin W. Chiles, Steven Bourque, Andrew Pelrine, Kimbourne Park United Church, Lukus Uhlman and Jennifer Szeto.

I’d especially like to thank all the extraordinary singers who shared their artistry, passion, exuberance and bravery by auditioning for HSOW: I’m so honoured by your interest and as soon as we hear the Halifax auditions on the 21st, we’ll make the difficult decisions that arise from the very high calibre of both acting and singing of the performers who have applied. I wish so much we could take you all!

Thank you, London!

Posted by on Nov 8, 2011 in General | 0 comments

A really wonderful first day of auditions — thank you New St James, Torin and all who make this possible. As usual the UWO students are at the top of their game. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing everyone!

Next up, Day One of Toronto auditions on Friday night!

I’m leaving for Toronto in the morning …

Posted by on Nov 7, 2011 in General | 0 comments

on the HSOW audition tour, among other things :) You can reach me while I’m on the road at mco@ns.sympatico.ca, or on my cell phone, 902 541 7491.

Marja Ernst will be taking care of things on the audition scheduling end — you can email her at marjae@eastlink.ca.

See you soon!

Nina

About Neil Weisensel, composer of Gisela in Her Bathtub

Posted by on Oct 3, 2011 in 2012 Workshop | 0 comments

We’re thrilled to be producing our first Canadian opera in 2012, Neil Weisensel and Michael Cavanagh’s Gisela in Her Bathtub.

Neil Weisensel is a Vancouver-based composer, conductor, and producer. His operas have seen over one hundred performances across Canada, presented by companies such as Edmonton Opera and Opera Lyra Ottawa. Mr. Weisensel has also composed works for orchestra, a musical, chamber music, and music for big band. In addition, he has composed and produced a wide variety of music for feature film and documentaries for networks such as Bravo!, TSN, WTN, and CTV Sportsnet. In 2000, with support from the Vancouver Opera Guild and the Canada Council, he completed The Master’s Stroke, a full-length comic opera about golf which was premièred in Winnipeg. More recently, he orchestrated and arranged music for The Masque Affect, a new mega-musical about Handel, received a commission from the BC Arts Council for a new piece of chamber music, and was awarded a major fellowship from Opera.ca and OPERA America. Mr. Weisensel holds a Master’s Degree in Composition from UBC and is a member of the Canadian Music Centre.

Change of date and time for London auditions

Posted by on Sep 28, 2011 in 2012 Workshop, Auditions | 0 comments

We’ve moved the date for the London auditions to Tuesday November 8, from noon to 4:30 pm.  There’s a chance we can add some more time in the morning if we get fully booked.

Thank you for your patience as we work around people’s availability!

Nina