How to apply

Students in the second phase of their training, or graduates of a Hogeschool voor der Kunsten (Dutch college of arts), conservatoire or with equivalent training can apply for a three-month internship with the Nationale Reisopera.

To be given a production placement, orientation week and chorus internship, you must audition or attend an admissions interview. These are held in January in Amsterdam and Enschede. Pre-selection takes place on the basis of your qualifications.

You will be expected to have experience of opera, conducting or performing technique, and to demonstrate particular insight and aptitude for opera.

You must also demonstrate how the internship will make an important contribution to the development of your chosen career.

Singers

Singers must select two arias, together with an aria or operatic extract from the opera for which you have applied for an internship. Before the audition, you can, if you wish, go through your arias with a répétiteur by prior arrangement with the Nationale Reisopera.

As part of the audition you will be asked to read aloud a number of short texts in Italian, German, English and French.

After the audition, there will be a short discussion during which you will be asked about your experience, current activities and expectations. This is also an opportunity for you to say why you think RAP would be of significant benefit to your career development.

Conductors

As a conductor, you will prepare at least one act from the opera for which you have applied. You will also be expected to conduct extracts from other operas in a range of styles. You will need to show that you can sing the roles and chorus parts. The Nationale Reisopera will provide you with a répétiteur for this.

If you are a proficient pianist, you should demonstrate this by playing operatic extracts and arias. You will also accompany a singer and work together on an aria. This is to show that you have a good understanding of the vocal aspects of opera.

The audition will end with the reading out of short extracts of prose in various languages, followed by a brief interview.

Répétiteurs

As a répétiteur, you will prepare a number of extracts from operas in the standard repertoire, and at least one act of the opera for which you have applied. During the audition you will be expected to sing and show how to rehearse particular roles and chorus parts. You will demonstrate your ability to conduct from the piano.

After this part of the audition, you will be asked to sight-read some opera extracts. You will also play for a conductor to show that you can respond instantly to directions.

As in the conductors’ auditions, a répétiteur will be asked to work on an aria with a singer. You must demonstrate an affinity for music, and an ability to coach singers, to be considered for the position of répétiteur.