Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio

Participants enrolled in Varna International Music Academy (VIMA) will receive in-depth music instruction from our expert faculty and will benefit from unparalleled performance opportunities alongside world-class master artists. The program will take place in the beautiful regions of Varna, Bulgaria & Northern Italy.

Participants accepted into the Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio Program will perform principal or supporting roles in fully staged orchestral opera productions, orchestral musical theater productions, & choral-orchestral Oratorio concerts under the baton of our Music Director, Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera.

Our 2025 VIMA participants will be eligible to audition for future Varna International Productions in Europe and the USA. Apply for one of the options below and join us for an unforgettable summer of music:


  • Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini
  • Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
  • A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein
  • Petite messe solennelle by Gioachino Rossini


  • Opera

    Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi and A Grand Night for Singing


    What's Included:

    • Principal role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, and/or A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • One 60-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
    • One 60-minute coaching per week with a master opera & musical theater coach
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Rehearsals with the stage director
    • Perform in one Serenata Italiana recital
    • Mandatory singing in the festival chorus for Petite messe solennelle under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter for the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal Masterclass with expert voice faculty
    • Masterclasses in choreography, stage techniques, stage combat (if applicable)
    • Italian diction classes
    • Lodging in 3 and/or 4-star hotels, with breakfasts provided
    • Ground transportation (excluding airport transfers)


    Comprimario Artist Inclusions:

    • Featured or supporting role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, and/or A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
    • One 30-minute coaching per week with a master opera & musical theater coach
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter for the Metropolitan Opera
    • Rehearsals with the stage director
    • Perform in one Serenata Italiana recital
    • Mandatory singing in the festival chorus for Petite messe solennelle under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal Masterclass with expert voice faculty
    • Masterclasses in choreography, stage techniques, stage combat (if applicable)
    • Italian diction classes
    • Lodging in 3 and/or 4-star hotels, with breakfasts provided
    • Ground transportation (excluding airport transfers)


    Musical Theater

    A Grand Night for Singing


    What's Included:

    • Principal role in A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL)
    • One 60-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
    • One 60-minute coaching per week with one of our master opera & musical theater coaches
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Staging rehearsals with the stage director
    • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital
    • Sing in the festival chorus for Petite messe solennelle (mandatory) under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal masterclasses
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes
    • Lodging in 3 and/or 4-star hotels, with breakfasts provided
    • Ground transportation (excluding airport transfers)

    Oratorio Soloist

    Petite messe solennelle


    What's Included:

    • Soloist in one performance of Petite messe solenelle by Gioachino Rossini, with piano accompaniment, under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • One 60-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
    • One 60-minute coaching per week with one of our master vocal faculty members
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Perform in one Serenata Italiana recital
    • Mandatory singing in the Festival Chorus for Petite messe solenelle, Suor Angelica, Gianni Schicchi, and A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal Masterclass with expert voice faculty
    • Lodging in 3 and/or 4-star hotels, with breakfasts provided
    • Ground transportation (excluding airport transfers)

    Application & Audition Requirements:

    Applicants for the Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio Program must submit the following:

    • Application
    • Resumé
    • Headshot
    • Video recording from within the past 12 months:
    • Opera & Musical Theater Applicants:
      • Two contrasting arias or art songs in their original language
      • One musical theater piece from before 1970
    • Oratorio Soloist Applicants:
      • Two contrasting pieces (one must be an opera aria)


    Optional Add-Ons & Exclusions:

    Tips & Gratuities:
    An additional $10 per day will be added to your tuition price to cover all tips & gratuities on provided services & personnel.

    Single Occupancy:
    An additional $490 per week ($70 per day) will be added to your tuition price for single occupancy lodging.

    Air Travel:
    Participants are responsible for arranging all air travel. This includes international flights to and from VIMA as well as the domestic flight from Bulgaria to Italy during the program. Varna International is available to assist participants with making travel arrangements, upon request.