New England Conservatory and Odyssey Opera Announce Joint Apprentice Program
New England Conservatory and Odyssey Opera today announced a new joint Artist Diploma/Apprentice Program. Launched this fall, the program complements the Conservatory’s opera curriculum by offering Artist Diploma students the opportunity to apprentice with Odyssey Opera in a variety of performance and educational settings.
“This joint program with Odyssey Opera is a great enhancement to the opera program at NEC. The chance for our students to have performance experience with a professional company is vital to their education, and we are very grateful to Odyssey Opera for such a partnership,” said Tom Novak, Interim President at New England Conservatory.
A major feature of the apprenticeship is the opportunity for an Artist Diploma student to be cast in a secondary role in an Odyssey Opera production each season. This November, NEC Artist Diploma mezzo-soprano Whitney Robinson will sing the role of Martine in Odyssey’s production of Charles Gounod’s Le médecin malgré lui (The Doctor in Spite of Himself) at the Huntington Avenue Theatre.
Robert Tweten, Music Director of NEC’s Opera Department, stated, “I’m thrilled that our Artist Diploma students will get to work with Odyssey Opera, an exciting young company located right here in Boston. Besides gaining invaluable experience performing in a professional production, they will also encounter interesting repertoire, thanks to Odyssey’s unique focus on new and lesser known operas.”
Additional opportunities for apprentices include performances in the community with Odyssey Opera, participation in the chorus for other mainstage productions, and the possibility of covering lead roles. Furthermore, students at all levels of study will be eligible to participate in master classes with Odyssey Opera artists, and are invited to attend rehearsals and performances free of charge.
“Odyssey Opera is thrilled to work with NEC and its talented Artist Diploma students. I’m sure both organizations will find the partnership rewarding and fruitful,” added Artistic Director and Conductor Gil Rose of Odyssey Opera.
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