Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS Program

Renée Fleming, co-artistic director
Patrick Summers, co-artistic director

The ground-breaking Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program launched in Aspen in summer 2021.

Designed and led by the foremost opera minds of our time, the program offers a uniquely complete training for young singers for a future in the opera industry. Emphases include opera and concert work, emphasizing performance at the highest levels, and knowledge of the business, off-stage comportment, finances, contacts, and more.

Artist Fellows participate in two semi-staged productions led by distinguished conductors and directors, a gala Cabaret Evening, weekly opera scenes classes and song recitals, and events in private homes.
 

2023 Productions:

JIMMY LÓPEZ BELLIDO: Bel Canto
July 21

Directed by Kevin Newbury and conducted by George Manahan
Based on Ann Patchett’s award-winning novel, Jimmy López Bellido’s opera Bel Canto depicts how something truly beautiful can spring from chaos and terror. With a principal role loosely inspired by noted soprano Renée Fleming who championed the work, the opera tells the story of what happens when a gathering of international dignitaries at Peru’s vice-presidential mansion turns into a hostage situation. Music becomes the universal language of this riveting story of humanity and redemption, inspired by real-life events.

MOZART: Idomeneo
August 17

Directed by Francesca Zambello and conducted by Robert Spano
World-renowned tenor Matthew Polenzani joins the talented artist-fellows of the Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program in a striking performance of Mozart’s Idomeneo—a rarely-performed work that showcases Mozart’s operatic genius at its most grand. The opera tells a remarkable tale of power, love, and sacrifice after Idomeneo, King of Crete, emerges victorious in the Trojan war but encounters a great storm as he sails home. Beautiful arias and tremendous choral scenes highlight why this opera seria is regarded as Mozart’s earliest operatic masterpiece. Go on an adventure within the grand space of the Michael Klein Music Tent as this mythical dramatic opera comes to life.

2023 Opera Encounters:

Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS faculty coach the program's major emerging talents in opera scenes on Saturday mornings at 10 am in the beautiful Wheeler Opera House. Enjoy excerpts from the repertoire, ravishing voices, and insightful coaching.

 - July 1
 - July 8
 - July 15
 - July 22
 - July 29
 - August 5
 - August 12
 - August 19

VocalARTS Showcases:

The stellar young artists of the Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program perform works they have polished with the AOTVA’s leading vocal coaches and pedagogues in these free events at the Wheeler Opera House. 
 - July 13
 - July 27
 - August 10

Meet the 2023 AOTVA Artists:

2023 Fleming Fellowship Artists

2023 Studio Artists