New start for Thuringian Opera Studio
Auditions for the 2025/26 season at Theater Erfurt
After its reopening, the Thuringian Opera Studio is holding an audition at Theater Erfurt this Tuesday, 11 March. From numerous applications, 28 singers were invited to Erfurt after a video pre-selection. The prerequisite for admission to the Thuringian Opera Studio in the 2025/26 season is a completed university degree (Bachelor's, Master's or diploma) and a successful audition.
At Theater Erfurt, the jury will evaluate the memorised performance of up to four arias or scenes in different styles and in the original language. In addition, there is a self-chosen spoken scene in German from a dramatic work (monologue or dialogue) or a scenic improvisation with text.
The evaluation criteria are excellent vocal ability, musicality, artistic imagination, sense of style, vocal maturity, scenic imagination and the ability to communicate with fellow players and the audience.
A maximum of six scholarship holders are initially accepted for one season or two semesters with the option of extending for a further season. The Thuringian Opera Studio is a postgraduate course offered by the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar in collaboration with the German National Theatre Weimar (DNT), the Theater Erfurt, the Theater Nordhausen and the Theater Altenburg Gera.
‘The Thuringian Opera Studio is the ideal career entry point for talented singers, because under the guidance of first-class university educators, they can prove themselves and develop in a professional environment,’ says the director of the Thuringian Opera Studio, Prof. Jochen Biganzoli.
‘I am delighted that from the coming season onwards, the Thuringian Opera Studio will once again be able to offer young singers a good opportunity for their professional development,’ says Malte Wasem, Artistic Director of Theater Erfurt.
‘The Thuringian Opera Studio offers young singers the chance to develop artistically in a practical training programme at the University of Music, to expand their repertoire under professional guidance and to participate in performances at Thuringian theatres,’ explains the General Director of the Altenburg Gera Theatre, Kay Kuntze.
‘The DNT, together with its partners, is initiating the reestablishment of the Thuringian Opera Studio because it promotes excellent young singers and connects Thuringian theatres with the University of Music Franz Liszt to form a unique talent network,’ adds Dorian Dreher, designated team intendant and opera intendant at the German National Theatre Weimar.
‘For the Nordhausen Theatre, the reestablishment of the Thuringian Opera Studio has both artistic and cultural-political relevance,’ emphasises the director of the Nordhausen Theatre, Daniel Klajner.
‘We are pleased that we have been able to set the successful model of the Thuringian Opera Studio on a new path that meets the cultural and educational needs of all partners,‘ says Prof. Juan Garcia, Vice President for Practice and Research at the Weimar Music university.
The students develop specialist roles in new productions and in the repertoire and regularly take to the stage in the theatres’ performances. They attend classes at the university. The scholarship they receive enables them to expand their artistic skills with financial independence and to increase their chances of finding employment by gaining a head start in professional practice.
[11 March 2025]