About 1,300 aspiring opera artists utilized to be a part of the Merola Opera Program for the approaching season. Of that mountain of submissions, 28 are invited to take part within the 12-week program which takes place in San Francisco.
Of these 28 candidates, six are Canadian — the best illustration of any nation. The remaining Merola 2025 artists come from China, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Korea, and throughout america.
We requested the six Canadians — lots of whom are additionally latest graduates of the Canadian Opera Firm’s Ensemble Studio Program — about this subsequent vital step of their careers. The dialogue is split into two teams to provide every the area to specific their ideas. Learn Half I right here.
The Merola Opera Program
The Merola Opera Program is without doubt one of the oldest such coaching applications on the planet. It was based in 1957, and its identify comes from the primary common director of the San Francisco Opera, Gaetano Merola.
Whereas the group works with San Francisco Opera , however operates independently as a nonprofit group.
From its beginnings, its grown into one of the extensively revered skilled opera coaching applications on the planet for rising singers, coaches, accompanists and stage administrators. Its alumni consists of artists like Karen Slack, Zheng Cao, Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, Noah Stewart, Rolando Villazón, and Quinn Kelsey, amongst many others.
Alexa Frankian
Soprano Alexa Frankian first joined the Merola Opera Program in 2024, and received popularity of her roles in La Bohème and Iolanta. She lately graduated from the Glenn Gould College.
What made you determine to use for the Merola Opera Program? What do you hope to realize from it — do you might have particular targets at this level in your profession?
I’ve at all times heard about Merola and the way life-changing it’s for younger opera singers. Anytime somebody says, “I’m a Merolini,” you possibly can simply hear the delight of their voice. That caught with me. And naturally, the thought of singing on the Warfare Memorial Opera Home — a theatre with over 3,000 seats — felt like one thing out of a dream. After I began wanting into it extra, I spotted Merola had precisely the type of mentors and trade consultants I needed to work with. So, I went for it. Humorous sufficient, it was my first-ever YAP audition, and it occurred in New York. I had no concept what to anticipate, however the second I walked in, I felt so welcomed. It was like the celebrities aligned and all the pieces in me stated, “Sure, that is the place I’m meant to be.”
Being invited again for a second yr is such an honour. The primary time round, I got here in hoping to realize actual stage expertise in a giant theatre, and wow — realizing my voice might fill an area that dimension was an enormous second for me. It’s one factor to imagine in your self, but it surely’s one other to bodily really feel that energy and know you belong on that stage. Past that, I’ve at all times seen opera as extra than simply artwork — it’s additionally a enterprise. I advised my mother once I was 14 that being up on a stage singing opera is what I’d be doing for the remainder of my life and that it was going to be my profession, and I meant it. Merola isn’t nearly making us higher artists; they educate us the way to navigate the trade. That’s enormous as a result of on the finish of the day, we’re impartial artists.
Studying the way to stability the artistic and the enterprise aspect is one thing I’ve been centered on for a very long time. Fabulous Markus, Carrie-Ann and the whole group of wonderful coaches encourage me and I’m really so grateful.
You might be one in all 28 chosen from a lot of candidates — practically 1,300. Do you might have a way of why — the place your power was in your video submission? Was there something particular you probably did to arrange for it?
Truthfully, I can solely hope they noticed the identical factor in me that I really feel each time I step on stage — a deep love for what I do and the drive to make it my life. Opera is about a lot extra than simply singing the notes. It’s about storytelling, connection, and giving the viewers one thing actual to carry onto. However nobody does this alone. I’ve had unbelievable academics, coaches, and mentors who’ve formed me into the artist I’m at this time. The panel at Merola has years of expertise recognizing potential, and I belief that they noticed one thing in me price nurturing. That’s what this program is about — taking younger artists and giving them the instruments to develop into the perfect variations of themselves.
Positively! My coach and I spent lots of time choosing the right repertoire — arias that confirmed my vary, totally different languages, totally different types. However past that, I needed my persona to return by way of. It’s one factor to sing a technically robust audition, however I needed them to see me as a performer, as a storyteller. I additionally hung out actually diving into the characters — who they had been, what they had been feeling, what the world was like when this music was written. I feel that’s what makes an audition stand out — not simply sounding good however making folks really feel one thing
Why do you assume so many Canadians had been chosen — six, or greater than 20% of the members this yr? Do you’re feeling like there’s a supportive atmosphere for opera in Canada?
I feel Canadian singers are available well-prepared. The opera scene right here could also be smaller in comparison with the U.S. or Europe, however the coaching is top-notch. There’s a robust deal with approach, musicality, and professionalism, and I feel that comes by way of in auditions. Additionally, the connection between the U.S. and Canaada within the opera world has at all times been robust. Merola is the dream younger artist program in North America, and I feel the truth that so many people had been chosen says lots concerning the expertise popping out of Canada.
For certain! Opera in Canada is rising, and what’s thrilling is that we’re seeing lots of first-time audiences coming to performances. Lots of people right here simply haven’t been uncovered to opera the way in which they’ve in Europe, however as soon as they expertise it, they’re hooked. We do should compete with different leisure choices — musical theatre, concert events, even sports activities. However opera is storytelling at its strongest, and when folks see it dwell, they get it. My mother is on board the Toronto Metropolis Opera, and one of many greatest issues they’ve seen is what number of new faces are coming to reveals. That offers me a lot hope for the way forward for opera in Canada. I’m extremely proud to be Canadian, and I’m past grateful that on the finish of this summer time, I’ll have the ability to say, “I’m a Merolini ‘25.”
Ariane Cossette
Soprano Ariane Cossette is a graduate of the Canadian Opera Firm Ensemble Studio. Ariane is the first prize winner of the Nationwide Capital Opera Competitors, and has carried out in quite a lot of productions with the COC and throughout Jap Canada.
What made you determine to use for the Merola Opera Program? What do you hope to realize from it — do you might have particular targets at this level in your profession?
It has been a dream of mine to take part on this program for a few years. As a Canadian, attending to sing in america, with such a distinguished firm, is a big alternative to be heard, community and uncover how issues are accomplished throughout the border. Many singers I deeply admire have participated on this program during the last decade and it actually made me curious. I’ve additionally had the privilege to satisfy Carrie-Ann Matheson when she visited the Canadian Opera Firm Ensemble Studio final yr and cherished teaching some repertoire along with her. I’m additionally very enthusiastic about assembly the opposite members and creating some connections that may final over time. Lastly, being part of this program gives the likelihood to be thought of as a future San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow and eligible for profession grants over the subsequent 5 years. This type of help is primordial to a profession launch, and I really feel so grateful to be part of this program.
You might be one in all 28 chosen from a lot of candidates — practically 1,300. Do you might have a way of why — the place your power was in your video submission? Was there something particular you probably did to arrange for it?
It’s so subjective and also you by no means know absolutely what made you stand out. This audition course of was in two steps: first movies after which a dwell audition. I really feel like singing repertoire you care and that strikes you deeply about is essential. It’s one thing a jury will choose up on and past the voice, which must be properly educated, it reveals who you might be as an individual and an artist. Within the apply studio, we goal to excellent our approach, however when it’s time to carry out, the human wants to return by way of first. Earlier than an audition, I attempt to breathe deeply and simply present up feeling grateful to share music I really like.
Why do you assume so many Canadians had been chosen — six, or greater than 20% of the members this yr? Do you’re feeling like there’s a supportive atmosphere for opera in Canada?
I used to be so pleasantly shocked by this quantity when the 2025 Merolini Roster got here out. I’m very happy with our little cohort. I personally have felt very supported in my early profession, particularly after transferring to Toronto to be a member of the Ensemble Studio. I do imagine Canada has nice singing applications, academics and a lot expertise amongst its younger artists. I really feel like opera is blooming on this nation, even in a tough economic system. Having our personal main corporations committing to create new operas and so many rising corporations makes me eager for our future.
Ariana Maubach
Mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach is a First Prize and Viewers Alternative winner of the Canadian Opera Firm Ensemble Competitors, and can be becoming a member of the Canadian Opera Firm Ensemble Studio for the 2025/26 season. She was beforehand a Resident Artist on the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, and he or she has carried out with Cincinnati Opera and the Spoleto Competition, amongst different organizations.
What made you determine to use for the Merola Opera Program? What do you hope to realize from it — do you might have particular targets at this level in your profession?
Merola Opera Program has at all times be the holy grail of summer time festivals for me. I’m most wanting ahead to working with the esteemed school, assembly the opposite members (lots of whom I’ve admired from afar for some time), and delving into brand-new operatic roles. I’m assured that the Merola Opera Program will present me with the instruments and connections essential to step into an operatic profession.
You might be one in all 28 chosen from a lot of candidates — practically 1,300. Do you might have a way of why — the place your power was in your video submission? Was there something particular you probably did to arrange for it?
Given the excessive inventive requirements of a program similar to Merola, I anticipated that they’d be on the lookout for candidates who’re artists, who make their mark on every aria they current. Dramatic dedication and polish, and powerful musical interpretation are just some components that one would anticipate could be important to face out.
Why do you assume so many Canadians had been chosen — six, or greater than 20% of the members this yr? Do you’re feeling like there’s a supportive atmosphere for opera in Canada?
There’s a ton of Canadian expertise, there at all times has been, however I’m thrilled that it’s significantly showcased this season at Merola. I’d attribute the excessive degree of singing to the incredible coaching we’ve got in Canada. Our training system is extremely robust and lots of of our vocal applications actually prioritize what it’s that younger singers want, which is strong coaching and operatic expertise. You will need to word too that 5/6 of the Canadians this yr are additionally alumni of the Canadian Opera Firm (COC) Ensemble Studio. The COC is an organization that options their ensemble members yearly of their productions. Whether or not that’s protecting leads or singing comprimario roles on the mainstage, they clearly worth stage time and expertise. I’ll be becoming a member of the COC Ensemble Studio this Fall and am so excited.
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.
