Our Program
Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point Fine Arts Colony (IPFAC), often referred to as “the Point,” is an intensive eight-week summer training and performance program for young singers, selected from competitive national auditions.
- Apprentice Artists study, rehearse and perform three operas in fully staged productions with orchestra in 2013: Madama Butterfly, L’elisir d’amore, and The Pirates of Penzanze. Many have the opportunity to perform multiple roles. Because roles are usually only double cast, artists are assured of growing through multiple performances. Apprentice Artists also sing in the chorus and participate in the opera scenes program. Some singers may be invited to participate in pre-season publicity programs and early rehearsals beginning mid May.
- Studio Artists The Studio Artists Program is designed for younger, less-experienced vocalists. They are cast in the one-hour outreach production, performed before hundreds of children and families throughout Northwest Arkansas. The outreach production is TBA but in 2012 was When Toys Talk, English adaptation of Ravel’s L’enfant et les Sortilèges and The Pirates of Penzance in 2011 Studio artists often are cast in secondary roles in the mainstage productions, sing in the chorus and are featured in the scenes program.
Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point has a venerable, continuous history of training young artists since 1950. No other training institute for young people offers the scope and depth of this total immersion into the process of preparing and performing opera. Alumni of this program now sing in the major opera houses of the world; many others teach at prestigious colleges and universities.
Artists are trained, conducted, coached and encouraged by a supportive, professional staff. Included is all training, coaching, workshops, and nurturing required to present opera in full production—scenery, lights, costumes, wigs—accompanied by an orchestra. The 2013 season includes 4 weeks of rehearsal, 3 mainstage operas in 24 performances, numerous performances of the outreach opera and an evening of opera scenes–all presented over a 30-day period.
Once the productions have opened guest artists come to The Point to offer masterclasses, workshops and classes important to an opera singer’s development. Planned for 2013: vocal masterclasses, movement, stage combat, career development, diction.
The cost of the 8-week program is $4750 for the Apprentice Artist program, $3500 for the Studio Artist program. The tuition covers accommodations and meals. Transportation to Opera in the Ozarks is the responsibility of participants. If you choose to fly, Fayetteville, Arkansas (Airport code is XNA) is the nearest airport. OIO will make arrangements to pick you up and transport you to The Point.
