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Home Programs VIMA 2025 Track Details

Opera and Oratorio

World-class training and performances

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 master artists. The program will take place in major cities throughout South Carolina, including the Capital City of Columbia, as well as the cities of Greenville, Rock Hill, and Myrtle Beach along the breathtaking shores of the Grand Strand.

Participants accepted into the Opera, Musical Theater, & Oratorio Program will perform principal or supporting roles in fully staged orchestral productions in some of the finest performance venues of South Carolina 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:


  • Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II
  • A Grand Night for Singing: A Musical Revue of Rodgers & Hammerstein
  • Great Mass in C minor by W.A. Mozart
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    Dates & Tuition Information:


    Die Fledermaus and A Grand Night for Singing

    JUNE 2 – JUNE 29, 2025
    (Arrive on June 1, depart on June 30)
    TUITION: $1590 PER WEEK (4-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $6360)
    **EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $1192 (4-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $4770)**

    Great Mass in C minor:

    JUNE 2 – JUNE 13, 2025
    (Arrive on June 1, depart on June 14)
    TUITION: $1290 PER WEEK (2-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $2580)
    **EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: $967 (2-WEEK PROGRAM TOTAL: $1935)**

    What's Included:

    Principal Artist Inclusions

    • Principal role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Die Fledermaus or A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL ON JUNE 1st)
    • 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 Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor (mandatory) under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal masterclasses
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes


    Comprimario Artist Inclusions:

    • • Featured or supporting role in one fully staged orchestral performance of Die Fledermaus or A Grand Night for Singing under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera (ROLES MUST BE MEMORIZED PRIOR TO ARRIVAL ON JUNE 1st)
    • One 45-minute voice lesson per week taught by Metropolitan Opera singers
    • One 30-minute coaching per week with one of our master opera & musical theater coaches
    • Music rehearsals with Maestro Gregory Buchalter for the Metropolitan Opera
    • Staging rehearsals with the stage director
    • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital
    • Sing in the festival chorus for Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor (mandatory) under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal masterclasses
    • German diction classes
    • French diction classes


    Oratorio Soloist Inclusions:

    • Solo in one staged orchestral performance of Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor 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 for the Metropolitan Opera
    • Perform in one Chanson du Soir recital
    • Sing in the festival chorus for Mozart’s Great Mass in C minor (mandatory) under the baton of Maestro Gregory Buchalter from the Metropolitan Opera
    • Vocal masterclasses
    • French diction classes

    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:

      Accommodations:
      Lodging will be in student campus housing (Columbia), in a hotel (Greenville), or in host homes (Coast). This is optional. Participants are welcome to make their own lodging arrangements.

      • Double occupancy: $350 per week (7 nights)
      • Single occupancy: $525 per week (7 nights)
      Meals:
      Meal availability depends on the city. Please see the breakdown below:
      • Columbia: Meal plan is available for $35 per day. This includes 3 meals each day provided by Columbia International University (CIU). Participants who opt for the meal plan must pay for the entire service. The meal plan cannot be modified.
      • Greenville: Participants responsible for all meals
      • Coast: Participants responsible for all meals
      Ground Transportation:
      Transportation during VIMA SC is included for those that add lodging to their program package, but participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the airport.

      We encourage you to connect with other participants to make arrangements for shared rides during the program. Varna International will facilitate contact between participants to aid in your communication.