Internships

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At The NBR New Zealand Opera we consider it one of our key roles to identify talented singers and give them a head start in the competitive world of professional music. With our three-tier structure selected singers start as Emerging Artists and can later apply to become the Young Artist, and perhaps after a period of training and performing overseas, may choose to return and audition for Resident Artist status.

PwC Dame Malvina Major Emerging Artist (EA)

Up to six artists will be selected for this internship. They will be given small comprimario roles and/or understudies where possible and, depending on role allocation, will be part of the NZO chorus. Vocal, stagecraft and language coaching will be provided along with a range of other opportunities. Repetiteurs may apply under this tier and their programme will be shaped to suit individual and NZO needs. The internship period can vary but ideally covers at least six months in total, focussing mainly on the main stage production periods to maximise interaction with experienced artists, although there will be some concert work involved. Auditions are generally in March/April with a start date of early June.

PwC Dame Malvina Major Young Artist (YA)

One singer (although in exceptional circumstances there may be more than one) will be chosen to undertake role(s) in main stage and/or touring productions for NZO. Typically this will be a young singer just becoming established or a returning past Emerging Artist. The Young Artist will receive coaching and other music, language and performance support as deemed necessary. The internship period will vary but could be up to nine months and will include concerts and at least one NZO production. Application is by invitation and the successful candidate will be selected by audition.

The NBR New Zealand Opera Resident Artist (RA)

This tier is to provide for singers who may have passed through the Emerging and Young Artist phases and are returning to New Zealand or may already be in the top echelon of the chorus or the domestic singing scene. They will be suitable for roles and understudies with NZO. The number of singers selected will depend on the opera and concert requirements for that year but it is anticipated that there will be up to eight Resident Artists in the annual intake. These artists will have vocal and language coaching provided for their specific roles and understudies, with provision for other support as required. The internship period is flexible, depending on the number of operas Resident Artists are involved in. Auditions are generally in November of each year.

Enquiries: internships@nzopera.co.nz

The Young and Emerging Artists are proudly sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers with additional support from the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and Creative New Zealand. Scholarships for Resident Artists are generously provided by the Freemasons Roskill Foundation. All internships are administered by The NBR New Zealand Opera.

Did you know?

Early opera resembled the atmosphere of a race course - chatting, food, laughter and loud comments were the norm.

During all our opera performances an English translation of the libretto is projected on screens above the stage, so you can easily follow the story.

If you are 25 years old or under you can purchase $25 tickets at the venue box office before any performance.

The world's longest opera is Wagner's The Ring Cycle, lasting over 14 hours plus intervals. That's 18 hours at the theatre.

The world's longest applause lasted for 1 hour and 20 minutes as a standing ovation. The opera: Otello starring Placido Domingo.

On average, an opera will last between 2 and 3 hours, with one interval in a two act show, and two in a three act show. Operettas and musicals tend to be shorter.

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