Thursday, Jun 24, 2021
Experience the opera stars of tomorrow
by Anne Sears
Westminster Choir College’s CoOPERAtive program for young singers will be presented in a virtual format once again this year. Luckily friends of the program and opera lovers who usually attend in-person recitals and master classes with CoOPERAtive participants will be able to view them on the web.
Five master classes will be available for viewing.
Susan Ashbaker
Your Musical Toolbox
Sunday, July 4, 4 p.m.
Warren Jones
Tuesday, July 6, 7:30 p.m.
Warren Jones
Wednesday, July 7, 7:30 9 p.m.
Jay Carter
How to approach early repertoire
Friday, July 9, 7:30 p.m.
Margaret Cusack
Building on Tradition
Monday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.
Five recitals, each featuring music focusing on a central theme, will be presented by CoOPERAtive participants. All are at 7:30 p.m.
This Life Waxes and Wanes: Prayers, Dreams and Departures — Songs & Arias in English and German
Thursday, July 15
La Vie en Chanson, L'air, et L'amour — Songs & Arias in French
Friday, July 16
Since You Love Me and I Love You — Songs & Arias revealing all aspects of love
Wednesday, July 21
Magic, Manipulation & Marriage — Just another night in the Opera House!
Thursday, July 22
An Evening of Opera Spanning the Centuries — Handel to Bernstein, 1685-1990
Friday, July 23
Details about each event with links for viewing are at rider.edu/arts.
Directed by Susan Shiplett Ashbaker, the CoOPERAtive program provides three weeks of intensive training for the young singer. The program is presented in cooperation and consultation with professionals in the field to help young singers build and strengthen their artistic toolbox. Participants receive private voice lessons, music, language and drama coaching, as well as classes in body work, diction, and drama. The program focuses on musical style, performance techniques, dramatic presentation, language, diction and body awareness.
CoOPERAtive graduates have been successful in many important competitions and have been invited to participate in renowned young artist programs, such as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera’s Merola Program, Aspen Music Festival and Washington National Opera.