Lyric Arts France is a professional training and performance-centered Young Artists Program for emerging professional singers, some younger singers, and a limited number of stage directors, stage managers, pianist-coaches and administrators. Lyric Arts France partners with Opéra Bastide; together, we mount full-scale productions with chamber orchestra of opera, some musical theater, concerts of a variety of vocal music including French Art Song, and public masterclasses. It is an international program and offers international opera repertoire along with a focus on some French repertoire. It offers a wide variety of solo and ensemble performance opportunities for all participants alongside a comprehensive training program. It takes place in the lovely mediaeval town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue in the Aveyron region of southwestern France, not too far from Rodez, Albi and Toulouse.
Young Artists work in collaboration with world-class singers, directors, conductors, coaches, and choreographers, both in production rehearsals and in training sessions. These include individual and group vocal and repertoire coaching, masterclasses, auditioning classes, and career seminars addressing opportunities in Europe and the United States. There is also a focus on singing in French: French arias, art songs and popular songs. Daily French language classes (at a beginner or intermediate level) are available for non-French participants.
Most activities take place in the ‘Bastide Royale,’ the historic mediaeval center of the old town, including in its charming 350 seat theater, a spectacular baroque chapel, the ancient cloister, a 19th century grand market hall, and the main town square. After many of the mainstage performances our artists relax singing cabaret music until late in the evening in our festival bar. In addition to an abundance of public performances, the program offers a marvelous opportunity for participants to enrich their understanding of French music, culture, and language, to live and work in the heart of France for five weeks, and to broaden their knowledge of French and European opera and vocal literature.
