Operatic training is an integral component of the vocal performance curriculum at Ithaca College.  Under the leadership of Brian DeMaris - Assistant Professor, Director of Opera and Musical Theater - Ithaca College School of Music provides operatic experiences essential to all undergraduate voice majors either remotely interested in or fully interested in persuing a career in this immensely complicated and rewarding field.

Ithaca College Opera, open by audition to sophomore level voice majors and above, provides an annual opportunity for voice majors to be part of a complete operatic production.  Here students gain performance experience through collaborating with fellow cast members, directors, conductors, designers, technicians, and stage management.  The student develops a deeper understanding of the how a production is conceived, from the first vocal coaching to closing night. Performances are often double cast, and at least six performances are given annually, fully staged, with costumes, lights, sets, and full orchestra.  Recent productions have included Handel's Acis and Galatea, Lehar's The Merry Widow, Menotti's The Consul, Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte, and Purcell's Dido and Aeneas.  Operas for the 2008/2009 academic year will include Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges, and Pauling Viardot's Cendrillon, both sung in French.

Outside of the full opera production, there are plenty of other venues through which students have ample opportunities to develop and hone their skills.  During the sophomore year students begin their operatic training in Acting and Movement for the Opera Singer, a course that is new and particularly unique to Ithaca College.  Here students learn basic concepts of acting and stage deportment, including tumbling, falling, stage combat, as well as period gesture and dance.  Much time is spent on improvisation, character study, monologues and arias.

Juniors and Seniors are elligible to audition for Opera Workshop, an all-inclusive and all-encompassing overview of the art, the craft, and the field of opera in today's world.  The initial goal of the class is to introduce students to all aspects of this artform that requires acute skills not only in singing, but also in acting, languages, movement, and much more.  And ultimately, Opera Workshop will offer a variety of training in such areas as audition technique, interpretation, and scene study through performance opportunities, collaborative group projects, and invaluable feedback - the overall objective being to facilitate self-assessment and self-awareness and to prepare the student to enter a field that is challenging, rewarding, and in general getting younger every day!  In addition, the Opera Workshop class performs two fully staged scenes programs each year, and one fully staged opera every other year.