Opera From Scratch

Thank you to everyone who came out to support this summer's opera premieres. Opera From Scratch has now premiered 61 new operas about Nova Scotia! This summer's operas did not disappoint! Stellar works and beautiful performances!

Generously supported by SOCAN Foundation
and Dalhousie University. With thanks to Andrew Terris and Cindy Campbell-Stone and Saint Andrew's United Church. Shout out to Ria Kim who jumped into the workshop when our pianist fell ill.

Masterclass No. 4: Opera from Scratch presents six new operas celebrating Nova Scotia's cultural heritage, including Oak Island Treasure, Scottish Fairies, a Lighthouse Keeper with mercury poisoning, a mother missing her husband at sea, a Cape Breton widow mourning the loss of her two sons, and today's headlines from 100 years ago.

Join us Sunday at 3 pm at St. Andrew's Church in Halifax for an unforgettable experience.

Generously supported by the SOCAN Foundation and Dalhousie University.

Opera From Scratch 2024
Masterclass No. 3: Where Transformation Happens! Our singers are flourishing as they explore their characters in depth with the invaluable guidance of the extraordinary Emily Jewer. We are thrilled to have her on board. And, Ria Kim is an outstanding addition to our team, helping us create an unforgettable opera premiere experience, this Sunday at Saint Andrew's Church at 3pm on Coberg and Robie!

Generously supported by the SOCAN Foundation and Dalhousie University.

The second day of Opera From Scratch 2024 has been a resounding success! Our team of composers and singers is simply outstanding. Jason Davis provided a inspirational masterclass and Roberta Barker's lecture at the library was jam packed! Tomorrow, come hear Canada's premiere opera composer and our mentor, James Rolfe, talk about his work in room 301 of the Main Branch Library. Tuesday, August 13 at 2pm.

This Sunday at 3pm at Saint Andrew's United Church on Robie, experience six world premiere operas showcasing Nova Scotia. Additionally, we are proud to present a captivating folk opera featuring the harp and voice!

Generously supported by the SOCAN Foundation and Dalhousie University.

Opera From Scratch 2024
In full swing, starting this coming Sunday

DON'T MISS OUR PUBLIC EVENTS
In partnership with the Halifax Main Branch Library

We are excited to have 2 operas which feature the HARP this year!
Come hear these new operas at our final GALA concert on:
Sunday, August 18th @ 3PM
St. Andrews United Church, Halifax

Here is a line up of the operas this year.

For voice, harp, piano

O Dearest Sister by Candace Bustard
- for soprano, harp, and piano
- A lighthouse keeper reflects on the trials he experiences as a Lighthouse Keeper

Halifax Shore by Adria Jackson
- A folk opera for soprano and harp
- A young mother reflects as she watches her husband sail out to sea

For voice and piano:

Dead men tell no tales by Isaac Page
- for soprano and piano
- concerning the mystery of Oak Island

Fairies Found and Lost by J. A. Davor
- for mezzo soprano and piano
- concerning fairies who followed Scottish Immigrants to Nova Scotia

Time Capsule by Prokhor Protasoff
- for soprano and piano
- The latest headlines from The Evening Mail Newspaper August 18, 1924

The Widow by Richard Davis
- for mezzo soprano and piano
- A Cape Breton widow on her deathbed remembers the deaths of her 2 sons

Generously supported by the SOCAN Foundation and Dalhousie University.

OPERA FROM SCRATCH application deadline:
Monday April 1st
www.vocalypse.ca

Don't miss your chance to create and premiere your very own mini opera.
OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2024
Application Deadline: Monday, April 1st, 2024
https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Praise for Opera From Scratch:

“The Opera From Scratch workshop provides an essential window into writing for voice for any composer.”

“The approach to creating opera fostered in the Opera From Scratch program is totally in line with the changing needs and definitions of the genre.”

"This was a tremendous program; one which I hope has a long future ahead. Thank you, truly, for letting me take part!"

“Opera From Scratch a full experience, jam packed with information and supported by excellent faculty."

"Thanks to Opera From Scratch for my first contemporary opera creation experience! New operas are splendid!! I am hooked!!!"

“Opera From Scratch is an incredible week of creativity. The participants and mentors provide a wonderful environment to develop composition and performance skills whether at the beginning or in later stages of a career. I highly recommend it.”

“The program has given me a solid foundation on how to write for voice and ways to approach contemporary opera, as well as a clear direction forward. It's not often a single week bears so much creative fruit!"

Call for Composers and Singers!
OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2024: 55 mini operas and counting!
Application Extension: April 1st, 2024.
https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Workshop dates: August 11th to 18th, 2024

Vocalypse Productions invites singers and composers at the university to professional level to apply for the 10th season of Opera From Scratch! This immersive week long workshop in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada allows six composers and six singers to develop six 10 minute operas for solo voice and piano. Composers are asked to base their mini-opera on a Nova Scotia theme of cultural or historic significance. Composers and singers are paired with one another 5 months before the workshop and attend each others sessions during the week. The workshop consists of individual sessions, masterclasses, lectures and lots of time to comune with your fellow participants!

Calling composers and singers!

Applications for OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2024 are due April 1st, 2024! Don't miss your chance to compose, workshop, and premiere a new mini opera with a host of talented mentors. The creative energy is palpable and uplifting!

Find applications here:
https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Applications for OPERA FROM SCRATCH (August 11th to 18th, 2024) are due April 1st, 2024. Don't miss your opportunity to create, workshop, perform a new opera masterpiece! We welcome both singer and composer applications. Go to: https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Applications for this year's Opera From Scratch are open until April 1st, 2024! Applications can be found here: https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Don't miss your opportunity to join this select group of 6 composers and 6 singers who workshop and premiere a 10 minute mini opera based on Nova Scotia history, culture, and lore. Since 2012 OFS has premiered 57 mini operas, some of which have gone on to become full length operas performed throughout Canada and the world.

Opera From Scratch fosters the creation of new opera, spurs on the next generation of opera composers, mentors singers in the art of performing contemporary opera. Our mentors strive to nurture and support each participant through public lectures, masterclasses, private lessons in singing, compositions, public speaking and more.

We look forward to your application!

Janice Jackson
Artistic Director - Vocalypse Productions

Opera From Scratch 2024 is accepting applications! August 11th to 18th, 2024
https://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/
55 mini operas and counting!

Vocalypse Productions invites singers and composers at the university to professional level to apply for the 10th season of Opera From Scratch! This immersive week long workshop in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada allows six composers and six singers to develop six 10 minute operas for solo voice and piano. Composers are asked to base their mini-opera on a Nova Scotia theme of cultural or historic significance. Composers and singers are paired with one another 5 months before the workshop and attend each others sessions during the week. The workshop consists of individual sessions, masterclasses, lectures and lots of time to comune with your fellow participants!

Don't miss our Opera From Scratch GALA CONCERT!
****World Premiere Operas concerning Nova Scotia****

Tomorrow, Sunday, August 13th @ 3PM (not 2:30pm)
Saint Andrew's United Church, 6036 Coberg Road, Halifax
With Joseph Dowell, piano
Donations at the door!

Themes: The first murder trial in NS, The first lighthouse in Sambro, Halifax and the meaning to be, Clam digging (could that me any more Nova Scotian), past meets present in Cape Breton, the Waterfront.

Generously sponsored by: The SOCAN Foundation, Dalhousie School of Performing Arts, Saint Andrew's United Church

Opera From Scratch - Masterclass No. 2
WE ARE HAVING A BLAST!

Join us this Sunday, August 13th @ 3PM
Saint Andrew's United Church in Halifax
6 World Premiere Mini Operas about Nova Scotia!!
With Joseph Dowell on piano!

Sponsored by: The SOCAN Foundation, Dalhousie School of Performing Arts, Saint Andrew's United Church

First OPERA FROM SCRATCH
Masterclass with a Jason Davis, Mentor
Don't miss our 6 opera premieres:
Sunday, August 13th at 3PM
Saint Andrew's United Church

Supported by the SOCAN Foundation and the Dalhousie School of Performing Arts. With thanks to Jerome Blais

OPERA FROM SCRATCH singers extended deadline: APRIL 1ST, 2023

Come sing your very own WORLD PREMIERE MINI OPERA!

Held in Beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia, this year's workshop will be between August 6th and 13th, 2023.

You can find more information here: http://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

Applications for the workshop can be found here: https://vocalypse.coffeecup.com/forms/Vocalist%27s%20Application/

Testimonials from past participants can be found here: http://www.vocalypse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/OFS-Testimonials.pdf

During the workshop 6 composers and 6 singers workshop 6 ten minute mini operas for voice and piano. The special thing about this workshop is that the singers and composers attend each other's sessions. The singers go to composition lessons with their assigned composer and the composers attend the singer's singing lessons etc.

Each singer has a mini opera specifically written for them which is premiered at the end of the workshop. They receive personal and individualized attention with regards to vocal training, acting skills, performing skills, internalizing character, and collaboration on multiple levels and much more. This is an intensive week where comradery and creativity take center stage!

The workshop is open to any singer with University or equivalent training. Semi professionals or professionals are welcome!

I will always remember how I reconnected to my singing soul at Opera From Scratch. - a former participant

Vocalypse Opera From Scratch: Application date March 15th, 2023 - *vocalypse.ca*

Don't miss your chance to write, work on, and premiere a mini opera: OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2023!

Applications are due March 15th, 2023.

For more information and applications go to www.vocalypse.ca

Applications are open for OPERA FROM SCRATCH 2023! August 6th to 13th, 2023

OFS is a safe and nurturing weeklong workshop where 6 composers and 6 singers work on 6 new mini operas for voice and piano concerning Nova Scotian history, culture, and legend! We are now is our 9th season and what a wonderful run it has been. Over 50 new mini operas have been performed, some of which have been expanded to fully staged works!

Information and applications (due March 15th) can be found here:
http://www.vocalypse.ca/opera-from-scratch/

We look forward to your interest and possible participation in Opera From Scratch 2023!