The Lamont School of Music Opera Department

The Lamont School of Music Opera Department is one of the most renowned and respected opera programs in the country.

Introduction

Since its founding in 1925, the Lamont School of Music Opera Department has been nationally and internationally recognized for the quality of its productions, the high caliber of its students, and the excellence of its faculty. Under the guidance of Producing Director Bill Hays, the department stages two fully-staged operas each season, as well as a number of other opera-related events such as scene programs, master classes, and lecture-demonstrations.

The Opera Department is committed to providing its students with a comprehensive education in all aspects of opera production. In addition to taking classes in vocal performance, musical theatre, and stagecraft, students have ample opportunity to participate in every phase of an opera production, from auditioning for roles to working backstage on sets and costumes. Students who wish to pursue a career in opera performance or production can take advantage of the department’s many resources, including a well-stocked library and state-of-the-art facilities.

The Lamont School of Music

The Lamont School of Music is located on the University of Denver campus in Denver, Colorado. The school offers a Bachelor of Music in Opera degree, as well as a Master of Music in Opera degree. The department has an active opera program that performs several productions each year. The school also offers a minor in music.

Location

The Lamont School of Music is located on the south side of the University of Denver campus in Denver, Colorado, United States. The school offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music.

History

Lamont Opera was established in 1949 by then-Dean Dorothy Hodgkinson to provide opportunities for University of Denver students to participate in full-scale productions. Many Denverites will remember seeing such productions as Madame Butterfly, La Bohème, and Tosca in the old Vogue Theater on East Colfax Avenue.

Over the years, Lamont Opera has continued to present large-scale productions featuring both student and professional performers. More recently, these have included Verdi’s La traviata and Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus. We are also proud to have presented world premiere operas, including The steady roll of the thunder drum by John Stevens and Hemingway’s valentines by Gregory Spears.

Lamont Opera is an important part of the University of Denver’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and engaged artistic community.

Programs

he Lamont School of Music offers a comprehensive education in opera, preparing students for careers in opera performance and opera production. The program includes classes in acting, vocal technique, diction, and stage movement, as well as opportunities to participate in productions. Students also take classes in music history and music theory. The Opera Department at the Lamont School of Music is committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment for all students.

The Opera Department

Formed in 2011, the Lamont School of Music Opera Department is a comprehensive program that trains students in the areas of singing, acting, and stage movement. The department offers a Bachelor of Music in Opera, a Master of Music in Opera, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Opera. The department’s goal is to provide students with the skills and training necessary to pursue a career in opera.

Programs

The Opera Department at the Lamont School of Music offers two degree programs: a Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance and a Master of Music in Opera Performance. Both programs provide students with a thorough understanding of the art form, including its history, repertoire, and current trends. Students also receive comprehensive training in vocal technique, acting, movement, and languages.

The Bachelor of Music in Opera Performance is a four-year program that culminates in a public recital and an oral examination. The first two years of the program are devoted to general music studies, which include courses in music theory, ear training, sight singing, vocal literature, keyboard skills, materials and media literacy, music history, and ensemble performance. In the third and fourth years, students take courses specifically related to opera performance, such as vocal repertoire, diction for singers, acting for singers, opera scene study/coaching Repertoire class is taught each semester and provides an opportunity to work on scenes from various operas. Schmidt Vocal Arts Symposium is another important part of the curriculum; this yearly event brings well-known guest artists to Lamont to work with students on various aspects of their craft.

The Master of Music in Opera Performance is a two-year program designed for advanced students who wish to pursue careers in opera performance or related fields such as vocal pedagogy or arts administration. In addition to taking classes similar to those in the Bachelor’s program (including those listed above), graduate students take additional courses such as advanced vocal repertoire and pedagogy. Coursework also includes an emphasis on research methods relevant to the field of opera performance. The program culminates in a public recital and thesis defense.

Faculty

The Opera Department at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music is led by a team of world-renowned faculty members who are passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of opera singers, directors, and conductors. Our faculty members have a wealth of experience in all aspects of the opera world, from performing on international stages to directing and producing operas. They are committed to helping our students develop their craft and reach their potential as artists.

We offer a wide range of Opera classes taught by our highly accomplished faculty. These include:

-Voice Lessons
-Diction for Singers
-Scene Study
-Opera Workshop
-Conducting
-Orchestration
– score Reading

Productions

Opera is a collaborative art form, and students in the Opera Department at Lamont work together closely with singers, directors, conductors, and stage managers from other areas of the university. The department produces two full-scale operas each season, in addition to studio recitals and scenes programs.

The department’s primary performance venue is the Gates Concert Hall in the Newman Center for the Performing Arts.

Opera Studies
The core of the opera program is a series of eight classes that all Opera majors take over four years. These courses trace the history of opera from its beginnings in late Renaissance Italy to the present day. Students study not only music and its development, but also drama, scenic design, costuming, and stagecraft. This wide-ranging approach gives students a broad understanding of all aspects of opera as an art form.

Conclusion

Opera is a fascinating and unique form of musical theater that has been entertaining audiences for centuries. The Lamont School of Music Opera Department offers students the opportunity to learn about and perform this classical art form. Through our opera program, students gain a solid foundation in vocal technique, musical interpretation, and stagecraft. We offer a variety of classes and performance opportunities that allow students to develop their skills and artistry in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced singer, we invite you to explore the world of opera with us!