Vocal & Opera Studies Unit

The Vocal and Opera Studies Unit and enjoys an excellent reputation for the quality of its graduates. It consistently attracts students from all states of Australia and overseas. The individual talent of each student is encouraged by mentors, who guide them with the experience gained from their own distinguished careers.

The teaching staff includes outstanding pedagogues, international artists, active soloists and chamber musicians and recording artists. Their repertoire and interests span the early Renaissance to the contemporary classical music. Their artistic heritage is drawn from all over the world.

Students are offered the opportunity to establish and refine vocal, musical and artistic skills. Combined with these skills are the personal attributes essential for a flexible and broad career in the industry, spanning performance, teaching and other related fields. As well as a high profile in competitions around Australia, the singers are seen in performance of diverse repertoire and in varying concert venues. Solo presentation opportunities are provided at performance workshops.

As well as individual lessons, students are encouraged to be involved in coaching sessions with the Accompaniment & Chamber Music Unit and Language Staff of the Conservatorium to augment the diverse skills necessary for the profession.

Performance in chamber music concerts, master classes, major choral works and in Con Opera productions are encouraged.

The Con Opera of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music enjoys an outstanding reputation for the consistent production of excellent quality singers.

In Australia, a large percentage of these singers are employed as full time artists by our national company, Opera Australia, in State Opera Companies, on the concert platform in oratorio, recital, and broadcasts by the ABC. Internationally, many graduates are in Young Artist programs in opera companies.

Currently, these include Zurich, Cologne, Vienna and Rome.
The Unit has produced an unrivalled number of singers who represent us in the most elite national singing competitions which provide lucrative financial prizes and opportunities for an international career.

Haydn:La Fedeltà Premiata, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, October 2005

The Con Opera encourages the development of the voice as an operatic instrument through the continuing enhancement of technical skills, upon which the musical and artistic standards of the profession can be met.

Emphasis is always placed on the importance of language with correct pronunciation as well as the musical and dramatic interplay of characters.

Focus on the study of roles and characterization is comprehensively addressed, as is a wide range of diverse operatic repertoire.

Students will explore the style and operatic traditions of repertoire from Monteverdi to the major works of the twentieth century. Individual lessons, coaching and ensemble classes assist students in the study of this repertoire. Performance opportunities are provided through weekly Performance Workshops, Masterclasses and Opera Performance Class. Opera productions endeavour to allow all students to work with national and international directors and conductors. An active concert program gives further opportunities.