Summer language course in Vermont offers chance for opera singing in Germany
In the serene campus theatre of Middlebury College, nestled in the heart of Vermont, a unique summer language program is underway. The German for Singers course, a part of the Middlebury Language School, is designed to help opera singers master the intricacies of the German language, with a particular focus on the tricky nuances of umlauts[1][2].
This intensive seven-week course requires participants to speak only German throughout, immersing themselves completely in the language and its cultural context[3]. The students, hailing from various parts of the US, include 28-year-old tenor Orlando Montalvo from Providence, Rhode Island, 32-year-old baritone Mitchell Widmer from rural Iowa, and 30-year-old Hannah Friesen, a professional singer based in New York[4].
Under the guidance of music director Stefan Rutter, the students rehearse day in and out, listening intently to each other's performances and offering feedback word by word[5]. The course repertoire includes opera by Mozart, with the students preparing to perform "The Pretend Garden-Girl" - "Die Verstellte Gartnerin" in Germany this week[6].
The importance of mastering German diction cannot be overstated in the competitive world of opera. With over 80 opera houses in Germany, it is one of the best places to pursue a career as an opera singer[7]. The course equips singers with the precise diction and fluency needed for performing German opera and Lieder, a crucial aspect in auditions and evaluations in German-speaking opera circles[1][2][4].
Beyond language skills, the course also provides practical information about working in Germany, helping singers prepare professionally for auditions and performance careers in the country[1]. The course fee of $12,000 is a significant investment, but most students are able to secure German grants and student aid, making it more accessible[8].
Ashley Schusselberg, a 21-year-old soprano from Long Island, is one of the young participants in this year's course. As she rehearses under the dim theatre lights, she is not just honing her singing skills, but also her German language abilities, taking a significant step towards her dream of a career in German opera[9].
[1] https://www.middlebury.edu/language-school/german-for-singers [2] https://www.npr.org/2021/07/13/1016201286/middlebury-college-german-for-singers-course-helps-opera-singers-master-the-lang [3] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/arts/music/middlebury-german-for-singers-course.html [4] https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2021/07/13/middlebury-german-for-singers-course-opera [5] https://www.vpr.org/post/middlebury-german-for-singers-course-helps-opera-singers-master-german-language [6] https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210713-opera-singers-practice-german-in-vermont [7] https://www.dw.com/en/germany-has-over-80-opera-houses-heres-where-to-find-them/a-59285518 [8] https://www.middlebury.edu/language-school/german-for-singers/cost [9] https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/07/13/middlebury-college-german-for-singers-course-helps-opera-singers-master-german-language/
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