Opera Conducting -- Bizet's Carmen & Puccini’s Madama Butterfly

Since 2002, Blue Danube/Vienna has partnered with opera houses in Romania, Bulgaria, and Serbia in Masterclasses and Competitions developing two generations of opera conductors, many of whom have gone on to be professionally active. Two of opera’s most beloved works, Bizet’s Carmen, and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, will be rehearsed and performed in French and Italian in fully-staged & costumed productions. Seven active-participant conductors & an unlimited number of auditors will work with State Opera Stara Zagora (Bulgaria's) orchestra, choir, vocal soloists, pianists & dancers coached by the house's music director, Maestro Ivaylo Krinchev. Each conductor will conduct 1/4 of one of the operas in public performance and have daily podium time with: orchestra and choir alone; cast & piano; stage rehearsals; & Sitzproben (soloists and choir onstage with orchestra in the pit), besides dress (General) rehearsal and performance. Probably the Best Training in Opera Conducting in the World!