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Founded by David Stern in 2003, Opera Fuoco dedicates itself to the interpretation of operatic repertoire from the beginning of the 18th to the end of the 19th centuries. Consisting of an orchestra playing on period instruments (Katharina Wolff first violin), Opera Fuoco works alongside young professional singers, recruited by audition. From 2008, the Opera Fuoco Troupe is officially created: two or three productions per year, individual support, master-classes, performances for professionals from the music world, etc... David Stern and Artistic Advisor and Educational Director Jay Bernfeld jointly oversee the troupe's audition process and development.
Opera Fuoco offers a unique, custom-made experience to young singers transitioning from conservatory to professional life. Singers are able to work with David Stern, experienced vocal coaches and stage directors in various contexts ranging from masterclasses and recitals to large-scale performances with orchestra and fully staged opera productions. The repertoire spans not only several centuries but a variety of genres, from Baroque to contemporary, including musical comedy and jazz. In 2008, Opera Fuoco began developing its young artist program, not as an academy, but as a professional company for young singers engaged for a period of three to four years. In its 13 years of existence, Opera Fuoco’s Young Artist Program has trained approximately 50 singers from 15 different countries. Their 15 current members come from 5 different countries, and candidates from the last round of auditions represented 34 nationalities. Opera Fuoco’s activities are largely Paris-area based, with a residence in Levallois’ Salle Ravel, master-classes held in smaller city venues and regular concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris. An exciting recital series was launched at the Petit Palais Museum in 2020. The company has also enhanced its international reputation by developing regular performance partnerships with the Bachfest Leipzig, the Beethovenfest in Bonn, the International Telemann Festival, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra as well as the Shanghai Baroque and Beijing Music Festivals in China.
In addition, David Stern strongly believes in bringing operatic repertoire to new audiences and particularly in making opera more accessible to children. Since the beginning of its residency at the Theater at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in 2005, many activities were led for and with the children and their families. Elizabeth Askren supervises this educational work.
Opera Fuoco is in residence at the Théâtre de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines since 2005. |
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Created in 2008, the troupe consists of young professional singers, recruited by audition and offers a rigorous program over a two- to three-year period:
- Master-classes surrounding specific themes (the Baroque era, bel canto, role playing, the art of recitative) supervised by David Stern and Jay Bernfeld as well as by world-renowned singers (Jennifer Larmore in 2009, Paul Agnew and Isabelle Poulenard in 2010, and Veronica Cangemi in 2011)
- Individual support when needed as well as other artistic and/or career advice
- Musical Encounters: performances and introductions organized in prestigious venues for sponsors and music professionals. |
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Co-founded by David Stern and violinist Katharina Wolff, the Opera Fuoco Orchestra follows the same guiding principal as do the vocal soloists and studio singers - always finding a relationship between music and the text. As an ensemble varying in size depending on the repertoire, Opera Fuoco’s spirit of chamber music is ever present, and its highly regarded players are often featured as instrumental soloists. Members are equally well versed in period playing as they are in « modern » playing, adapting their instruments and style according to the repertoire, and most have been part of Opera Fuoco for over ten years. |
