Regulations and Information
Singing students in Norway up to the age of 25 (born in 2000 or later) are eligible to apply to the Opera Academy Season 2025-26. The digital application platform is made available via our website. The application window opens on 15 March and closes on 15 April 2025. It is free to apply for participation.
Up to ten singers will be invited to participate in the programme in the 25/26 season.
All applicants must have a registered residential address in Norway.
All applicants must confirm that they are students during the 25/26 season.
Upon offer of participation, the applicant will receive an agreement for signing. To confirm your participation, you must pay the participation fee. The agreement and participation fee are there to ensure participation in the program.
The Application Process
Applicants must submit video recordings of two self-chosen opera arias which adhere to the following requirements:
- One video per aria
- Each aria must be recorded in a single take and use a single camera angle
- The two opera arias must represent contrasting styles
- The two recordings should be a maximum of 10 minutes long combined
- The recordings must avoid excessive post-production (too coloured a sound or too much reverb) – they should be a faithful representation of your live performance
- Only live piano accompaniment will be accepted (no pre-recorded backing tracks)
- The singer must always remain visible
- Videos should be recorded no more than 12 months before the date of your submission. We recommend to upload videos from as recent a date as possible
- It is highly recommended to take into consideration the quality of the sound, to allow the Jury to have the best possible judgement
- Avoid distortion and ensure that the accompaniment is not louder than the applicant
The applicant must specify the composer, title, first line of the aria and durata within the application (e.g. W.A. Mozart, La Clemenza di Tito, Sesto Parto Parto, 6:00 min).
An admission jury will assess all application on the basis on the submitted recordings. Interviews may also be conducted with relevant candidates. All applicants will receive a written response to their application in the beginning of May.
Programme
The tentative programme for the Opera Academy’s 25/26 will be published shortly. Please note that changes in the programme may occur. All participants are requested to attend all sessions, some of which will be open to the public.
Practical Information
Accommodation
The Opera Academy covers hotel accommodation for participants studying in other parts of the country.
Travel
The Opera Academy covers travel to and from sessions for those who require longer travel distances. Please note that the Opera Academy only covers domestic travel and not international travel.
Accompanists
Accompanists are made available to all participants in masterclasses and other relevant sessions.
All participants are responsible for submitting sheet music for their repertoire by e-mail to the Opera Academy’s administration within the given deadlines.
Rights
The Opera Academy reserves the right to arrange for photography, and video and audio recordings from all sessions and other events.
All rights to such material belong to the Queen Sonja Singing Competition and the Opera Academy.
Fees
It is free to apply for participation. Candidates who are invited to the Opera Academy 25/26 must confirm their participation by paying the participation fee to the specified bank account by the given deadline, in order to be approved as an official participant.
Contact
If you have any questions about the application process or admission, please contact us at post@qssc.no.