Festival Artist Program
Haley Whitney performing in DON PASQUALE during the 2023 Festival.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Festival Artist Program at Opera Saratoga is the 2nd oldest singer training program in the country! Opera Saratoga was founded as Lake George Opera but was renamed in 2011 to reflect residency and identity in the Saratoga Springs community. Beginning in 2023, our Young Artist program was renamed the “Festival Artist” program to better recognize the broad scope of singers who participate each year.
The core of every Festival Artist’s experience is participation in our mainstage productions, including leading, supporting, comprimario, cover, and ensemble roles. There are additional opportunities for concerts and recitals as well as other public and private events. Each artist has a patron sponsor and many have developed unique and meaninigful long-term friendships with their sponsors. [One of our Young Artists even got married at Yaddo in Saratoga the day after the season ended!]
Festival Artists Program Director Laurie Rogers works together with Artistic and General Director Mary Birnbaum to create meaningful assignments for each Festival Artist, recognizing that each singer, pianist, conductor and director brings a unique set of personal skills and assets which contribute to the company’s success each summer. Read more about Mary and Laurie here.
A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Members of the cast of the 2023 production of A GENTLEMANS GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.
Opera Saratoga is committed especially to 21st century repertoire, and has produced several world premieres including:
Ricky Ian Gordon’s ELLEN WEST
Jeremy Howard Beck’s THE LONG WALK
Clarice Assad’s THE SELFISH GIANT
Ned Rorem’s OUR TOWN
The company has recorded Marc Blitzstein’s THE CRADLE WILL ROCK in the original orchestration, conducted by internationally-renowned Maestro John Mauceri, and presented HANSEL & GRETEL in a production created by Chicago-based theater company Manual Cinema. Additionally, the company is committed to re-engaging alumni in principal roles, including Meghan Kasanders as Magda Sorel in THE CONSUL, Kelly Glyptis as Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Andy Papas as the title role in DON PASQUALE, and Eric McConnell as the D’Ysquith Family in A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.
Recent all-Festival Artist productions have included HANSEL & GRETEL and MOZART & SALIERI, as well as Telemann’s DON QUIXOTE AT CAMACHO’S WEDDING and Clarice Assad’s THE SELFISH GIANT.
The company also supports an educational tour in the spring and engages Festival Artists in the off-season for concerts and other events.
Career development opportunities include annual industry auditions for visiting company artistic leaders, artist managers, conductors, and directors; master classes with guest artists (recently including Broadway conductor Laura Bergquist, artist manager Ana de Archuleta, Metropolitan Opera baritone Michael Chioldi, Metropolitan Opera French diction coach Bénédicte Jourdois, former Laffont Competition Associate Director Brady Walsh, and Chicago Opera Theater musical director Lidiya Yankovskaya. Additional training opportunities include financial planning seminars and a partnership with Opera America’s career development program.
Applications for the 2024 Festival are now closed.
ABOUT SARATOGA
The Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Saratoga Springs, NY is located in Saratoga County. This year-round destination is conveniently located between the Adirondack Mountains and New York’s state capital, offering the perfect blend of history, arts, and nature. There is something for everyone in Saratoga!
Visit the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce website to learn more!