Artists from more than 30 countries aspire to join the Centre Plácido Domingo
18.06.2016
Artists from more than 30 countries in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania aspire to enter the Centre Plácido Domingo, which begins this week the audition process for its eighth promotion at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía.
49 sopranos, 12 mezzo-sopranos, 20 tenors, 14 baritones, 4 basses and, for the first time, 3 countertenors, are traveling to Valencia this weekend for the first elimination phase.
To this end, performers must prepare five pieces: an aria by Mozart, a 19th-century aria, an aria in Italian, an aria in a language other than Italian, and a zarzuela romance. Countertenors will be required to perform an 18th-century aria instead of a 19th-century one, and an aria by Benjamin Britten instead of the zarzuela piece.
Those selected after this first test will carry out working sessions with Davide Livermore, artistic director of the Centre Plácido Domingo, from June 20 to 22 to evaluate vocal technique, interpretive ability, musical preparation and attitude in the studio.
The singers who pass this second evaluation will advance to the final, which will take place on June 24 in the Main Hall, starting at 3:00 p.m., with Plácido Domingo as president of the jury.
For the first time in its history, Les Arts will open this final rehearsal to the public, with tickets at a single price of five euros, which the general public can purchase from June 20th through the usual sales channels.
The Plácido Domingo Centre
The Centre de Perfeccionament's activities are aimed at candidates who possess high artistic and vocal qualities, a predisposition towards the artistic world, as well as a solid technical preparation that allows for improvement and practical training in an opera house.
The main objective is to prepare young singers for employment, with special emphasis on technical-vocal, interpretive and stage aspects, through the study of the lyrical repertoire.
Those selected will receive instruction from qualified teachers, attend meetings and masterclasses with orchestra conductors, stage directors, singers, and other artists and professionals involved in Les Arts productions and events. They will also attend rehearsals for operas and concerts scheduled as part of the theater's activities.
In addition to Plácido Domingo, the driving force and mentor of the Centre, and Davide Livermore, in his role as artistic director, prominent professionals such as Fabio Biondi, Manuela Custer, Enedina Lloris and Franca Mattiucci are part of the faculty of professionals who will share knowledge and experience with the young artists.
The academic course includes vocal technique, interpretation, languages, body expression, the Alexander Technique, and psychology, along with masterclasses in bel canto, recitative, Baroque repertoire, and prose. The program begins on September 1st of this year and concludes on July 16th, 2017.
Singers are required to participate in the educational and artistic activities of the Centre Plácido Domingo and, at the discretion of the artistic director, may also be included in the casts of the season's productions.
