La Traviata Children's Opera Audition and Summer Programme 2023

The famous opera "La Traviata (Version for Youth)” by Giuseppe Verdi will be staged in the Beijing Concert Hall on 19th June, 2023. This event is jointly produced by the Austrian Cultural Forum Beijing and the Articulus Children’s opera and supported by the German Embassy Beijing Department of Cultural Affairs. As the co-producer of the project, The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi will participate in the whole process of this event.

Children who are fortunate enough to be selected in the upcoming Audition to participate in this Summer Programme will be supported and trained by expert professional vocal and instrumental musicians. This involves an intensive weekend training programme culminating in an exceptional performance opportunity complete with sets, costumes, props and lighting at the state of the art and prestigious Beijing Concert Hall. The performance is accompanied by a full symphony orchestra comprised of talented young musicians. This 1853 adaptation of Alexandre Dumas fils’ famous work “La Traviata” composed by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, is one of the world's most popular opera masterpiece.

Who can apply

Students ages 7-14 are welcome to audition for this exclusive and unique opportunity. The programme will provide an opportunity for students of all levels to either participate in the ensemble or vocal programme. Students who are selected will attend a series of rehearsals and workshops that will take place during weekends at The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi. Should restrictions apply, alternative arrangements will be made to ensure that the programme is able to continue.

Audition

Date: Sunday 5th March 2023

Location: The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi

Who can apply: 7-14 years old students

Students can audition for two ensemble programmes that will take place simultaneously:

1.Vocal Auditions: Students who are selected for this programme will be taught to perform on stage in costume as cast members.

2.Instrumental Auditions: Students who are selected will perform as members of a full symphony orchestra accompanying the performers on stage.

Students can also choose to audition for both programmes and could be allocated to either the Vocal or Instrumental stream. Should restrictions apply, alternative arrangements will be made to support the audition process.

Audition Requirements

There are two parts of the audition: (a) Contextual knowledge and (b) performance

(a) Context Knowledge

Students will be asked the following questions:

• Who is Giuseppe Verdi?
• Where did Giuseppe Verdi come from?
• In preparation for the audition, students are advised to engage with and be familiar with extracts from the La Traviata（The Lady of the Camellias茶花女).

(b) Performance

Students should prepare a piece on their instrument or sing a song (free choice of repertoire and musical style). The performance should not be longer than five minutes. Students who are presenting longer multi- movement works can choose to perform a section of the movement that meets the time requirements and whilst highlighting performance skills.

Please scan the QR code to sign up for the Audition.

Rehearsals and Workshops

Date: From 25th March until 17th June 2023 on Saturdays between 2-5pm.

Location: The British School of Beijing (BSB) Shunyi

A detailed rehearsal schedule will be published in due course.

Please note we reserve the right to alter the times and dates of rehearsals should there be any conflict with school events or unforeseen restrictions. We will endeavour to ensure that any alterations to the schedule are mitigated to minimise inconvenience and missed opportunities for learning.

Performance

Date: 19th June 2023

Location: Beijing Concert Hall

Fees

Auditions: Free of Charge

Vocal Programme: RMB 15,000

Instrumental Programme: RMB 11,800

The British School of Beijing, Shunyi

BSB Shunyi provides premium education to 1,100+ students from over 60 nationalities between 18 months to 18 years old. BSB’s world class teachers ensure your child experiences accelerated learning enabling their entry into the world’s leading universities. Students follow an enhanced English National Curriculum and complete the IGCSE examinations at age 16. Senior students aged 17 & 18 study for the IB Diploma.  As part of Nord Anglia Education’s family of 80+ schools around the world, BSB benefits from collaborations with preeminent organisations including MIT, The Juilliard School and UNICEF.

In January 2023, the Articulus Children’s Opera and The British School of Beijing, Shunyi have successfully staged Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute”. In October 2021, “The Marriage of Figaro” was staged in celebration of 50 Years Diplomatic Relations between China and Austria. Both were held at the Beijing Concert Hall and were a great success. Click here to read more.

The Articulus Team

The Articulus Opera assembled an all-star production team members including those from from Salzburg Festival, Salzburg Easter Festival, Vienna Philharmonic, Bayreuth Festival, Opera Frankfurt, Teatro alla Scala and Berlin State Opera, and is one of the professional Children’s Opera production team in China. Their work involves adapting the great operatic masterpieces for young performers and to present on the most prestigious theatres/concert Halls.

International Team

Florian Frannek Professor of Conducting Masterclass at the Bayreuth Opera Festival

Caterina Liberovici Director Opera Frankfurt/Teatro alla Scala Milan

Alessandra Garanzini Artist: Internazionale d’Arte di Montepulciano

Leonhard Waltersdorfer Music Arrangement: Vienna State Opera Bühnenorchestra

Beijing Team

Jiao Yang NCPA Guest conductor

Sun Binghui Peking University Opera Research Institute

Special Invited Expert of String Instrument

 Jia Ting Central Conservatory of Music

Fan Yue Associate principal second Violin of NCPA Orchestra

Song Tao Cellist of NCPA Orchestra

Question: Please contact The Articulus Team at figaro@articulus.cn