Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS

Performances in the 2026 Season will include the following productions:

• BRITTEN: A Midsummer Night's Dream  
  • Conductor: Jane Glover
  • Director: Simon Godwin (Artistic Director, Shakespeare Theatre Company; Associate Director, National Theatre of London)
  • Performance: July 20 and 22 in the Wheeler Opera House
      
• SARAH KIRKLAND SNIDER: Hildegard (AMFS co-commission)
  • Conductor: Timothy Weiss
  • Performance: August 1 in Harris Concert Hall
      
• MOZART: Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
  • Conductor: Patrick Summers
  • Director: Paula Suozzi (Executive Stage Director, The Metropolitan Opera) 
  • Performance: August 21 in the Michael Klein Music Tent

Additionally, singers from the 2026 season will be considered for AOTVA's 2027 productions, which may include Puts' The Hours and Bizet's Carmen.

RENÉE FLEMING ARTISTS will sing and cover leading roles in mainstage productions and will receive vocal instruction from Renée Fleming when she is in residence, in addition to a 45-minute weekly lesson with their primary artist-faculty member. Fleming Artists will receive 60-minute lessons from their primary artist-faculty member outside of Ms. Fleming's residency. Fleming Artist fellowships cover tuition, room, and board as well as a $1500 stipend. 

Meet the 2025 Renée Fleming Artists!

STUDIO ARTISTS will sing and cover leading and supporting roles and/or perform in the chorus for mainstage productions. They will receive 60-minute lessons from an AMFS artist-faculty member. Included in this appointment is a fellowship covering tuition, room, and board.

Meet the 2025 Studio Artists!

APPLICATION OPENS AUGUST 1

All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.

The materials below will be required with the application.

• Resume
• Headshot
• Letters of recommendation are not required. Applicants will be asked to provide contact information for two individuals who can speak to their qualifications. 

The Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS program is best suited for individuals between the ages of 20–30 years old, but is open to singers of any age and at any stage of their career.  Renée Fleming Artists are expected to have at least completed their junior year of an undergraduate degree program in vocal performance and/or participated in a young artist program. To be considered for a Fleming Artist appointment, singers must have performed (or covered) a complete role. Singers at this level should also have extensive experience singing in multiple languages.     

PRE-SCREEN / RECORDED AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

All applicants must submit a video audition and will be pre-screened for admission. Videos must be submitted as individual tracks and are recommended to be at a professional level. Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live.

• At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
• OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue of one to two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary)    
• OPTIONAL — A selection from the 2026 season repertoire (BRITTEN: A Midsummer Night's Dream, MOZART: Die Zauberflöte) 

LIVE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS 

Applicants being considered for a Fleming Artist fellowship will be invited to audition live. Live audition repertoire does not have to be the same as the recorded audition. Singers will be asked to submit their audition list when they sign up for a live audition time and are not required to bring a printed audition list, a headshot, or a resume to the audition.    

Singers will be allowed to choose their first piece and may be asked to sing additional pieces by the audition panel.    

• At least 12 minutes of music (minimum four pieces) in at least two languages that is representative of the singer's artistic profile. Repertoire should include two arias, one art song, and either a music theater or popular song.
• OPTIONAL — Spoken monologue (memorized) of one-two minutes (can be dramatic, comedic, poetic, contemporary). 
• OPTIONAL — A selection from 2026 season repertoire (BRITTEN: A Midsummer Night's Dream, MOZART: Die Zauberflöte) 

• August 1, 2025: application opens
• September 1, 2025: application closes at 11:59 pm ET
• $30 application fee from August 1-September 1, 2025

Chicago, IL - Monday, September 22, 2025 (Lyric Opera of Chicago)

Houston, TX - Wednesday, September 24, 2025 (Houston Grand Opera)

New York, NY - Sunday, September 28 and Monday, September 29, 2025 (Christ and Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church)

Los Angeles, CA - Monday, October 6, 2025 (LA Opera)