Early-Baroque Opera Course in Reykjavik 

About the course

Iceland University of the Arts is looking for participants for a 400th anniversary performance of Francesca Caccini’s opera, the earliest existing opera by a female composer. The project will be operated as a Blended Mobility Project (BIP) including preparatory work on-line from September 2024, and a 9-day intensive period in Reykjavík, Iceland from 15th to 23rd of February 2025 –  performances take place on 22. and 23. February.

The course will provide a platform for European collaboration where students and teachers from several different countries will work together, resulting in a musical and dramatic performance. Not least important aspect of this course is to bring together young early-music practitioners from different institutions that both run strong early-music programs and have less options for this specialization to facilitate new collaborations, networking and diverse peer-learning.

Application process

Instrumentalists playing period instruments are invited to apply, as well as singers who are studying Early-Baroque performance. The instrumental ensemble will consist of recorders, cornettos, sackbuts, violins, violas/viola da gambas/cellos/bass violins, lirone, harpsichord/organ theorbos, guitars and harp. The tuning will be A440. It is possible to apply as a solo or ensemble singer.

Application deadlines

August 14th: Deadline for applications for solo singers + submitting audition videos
September 2nd: Deadline for applications for instrumentalists and ensemble singers 

Audition videos
Those who apply as solo singers are invited to send a video recording of one excerpt from one of the three main roles – according to voice type – and additionally for sopranos and tenors/baritones at least one excerpt from other roles specified below (Bar numbers are according to the edition by Prima la musica – CAC0001.1 2006/2010/2017):

Melissa (contralto) Cosi perfida Alcina – bars 256 – 316 or Atlante a te sen viene – bars 867-920
Ruggiero (ten/bar): Lasso me – bars or Pur quel noioso aspetto – bars 1585-1616
Alcina (soprano): Ferma, ferma, crudele – bars 1358 – 1396 or Deh se non hai pieta – bars 1406 – 1453
Nettuno (baritone): Non perche congiura – bars 41 – 87
Pastore (tenor): Per la piu vaga – bars 672-702
Sirena (soprano): Chi nel corso – bars 828 – 848
Piante incantate (soprano): Ruggier de’ dani asprissimi – bars 963 – 977
Nunzia (soprano): Non so qual sia maggiore – bars 1215-1268
Altra Damigella (soprano): O ferita di Tigre – bars 1454-1584 

In addition to those excerpts, or as an alternative to the six smaller roles, singers are welcome to submit a demo of a chosen excerpt from an italian opera from the same period. 

The opera will be fully staged, so it is necessary for all singers to know their parts from memory. Therefore the casting needs to take place near the beginning of autumn term 2024. 

Music scores and parts 

A published score of the piece by Brian Clarck can be bought here. It is recommended to get hold of a copy. Instrumental parts will be provided. 

PDF of the specified excerpts can be sent do applicants on demands. For inquiries and other questions please write an email to sigurdurh@lhi.is.

Funding possiblilities 

It is required to apply for Erasmus+ short -term exchange to cover expenses. Applicants are advised to consult with the international offices in their institutions for detailed instructions and to make sure they are eligible for the mobility fund. The application procedure for Erasmus exchange happens within each students’ institution. The project is aiming to make sure that the Erasmus+ mobility grant can cover flights and accommodation. 

For further information, please send an email to IUA International Office: bjorgstef@lhi.is 

Draft of schedule 

September 16th at 15:00 CET(13:00 GMT): Kick-off online meeting 

Agenda for kick-off meeting:
Assign working groups on dramaturgy, context, visual elements, movements and set etc. The working groups should meet at least 3 times online and they have 2 months to come up with proposals. 

November 6th at 15:00 CET (13:00 GMT) Mid – term meeting 

Agenda for mid-term meeting:
Devise a workplan for realising producion preparation. Assign tasks. 

February 10th to 14th: Preparatory staging rehearsals for local participants 

February 14th: Travel day for visiting students/teachers 

February 15th to 23rd: Tutti rehearsals and performances and lectures (thorough schedule t.b.a.) 

February 24th: Travel day for visiting students/teachers