Academy of Opera
Ever since its foundation in 1964, the Academy of Opera has served as Norway’s leading institution for opera education. We offer both a one-year programme and a Master’s programme in opera.
Featuring world-class educators and stage facilities, the Academy combines individual, group and project-based training. Stage productions and concerts represent important milestones under way in the programme. At the Academy, students are allowed to work with professional directors and conductors and a full team of stagehands. This provides students with a versatile, practical education and a solid foundation for becoming professional opera singers both in Norway and abroad.
One-year programme in opera
The one-year programme in opera is for students who have completed at least two years of music studies at the university college level. The programme provides basic stage and musical training in the field of opera. After completing the programme, you can apply for admission to the Master’s programme in opera.
The programme allows you to work with
- singing and musical rehearsal
- basic acting technique
- opera history and language training
The various subjects are integrated into stage productions, where you as a student are allowed to develop yourself as an artist within a professional setting. All classes are mandatory.
Master’s in opera
The Master’s programme in opera educates opera singers at the highest artistic level. After completing your study, you will be able to professionally master and perform roles within a wide range of genres and styles.
Key elements of the programme include
- singing and musical rehearsal
- stage movement and acting technique
- physical and mental training
- a practical and theoretical Master’s assignment
The programme will allow you to develop your own personal musical and dramatic style. You will also develop good collaborative skills and an understanding of opera as a collective artform. All the subjects are integrated into stage productions, which are therefore entirely central to the programme. All classes are mandatory.
The Academy of Opera collaborates with the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet on annual productions with orchestra at the Norwegian National Opera House. During the programme you will also be given the chance to participate in master classes, audition training, auditions, study trips and entrepreneurship classes, all of which will help you make the transition to working professionally as an opera singer.
Admissions
Useful information about admissions
- How to use the online application portal Søknadsweb
- Frequently asked questions about admissions
- Language policy at KHiO
- Useful information for international applicants
One-year programme in Opera
Application deadline: 1 February 2022 (23:59 CET)
Entry requirements
Since this programme is thaught in Norwegian and requires documented proficiency in Norwegian/another Nordic language, please see the information about the application process and the entrance exams on the Norwegian website.
Admission is based on formal education and auditions. In order to be called in for an audition, you must document at least two years of music education at the university college level (120 ECTS credits). You must be able to document proficiency in Norwegian and English.
At the auditions you must demonstrate a particular talent for musical and dramatic expression.
Master’s Programme in Opera
Application deadline: 1 February 2022 (23:59 CET)
Entry requirements
Admission is based on formal education and auditions. In order to be called in for an audition, you must document a Bachelor’s degree in music (180 ECTS credits) or similar. The education must include 80 credits in subjects of relevance to opera, of which 25 credits must be in stage subjects.
You must be able to document proficiency in English. Basic knowledge of phonetics and the Italian language is also required.
In exceptional cases, other documented qualifications that are wholly or partially equivalent to the aforementioned educational qualifications may be approved.
At the auditions you must demonstrate a particular talent for musical and dramatic expression.
How to apply
1. Register in the Application Portal Søknadsweb. Please read the detailed guidelines for information on how to use the online application portal.
2. Upload the required documents in Søknadsweb.
3. You can change your application in Søknadsweb up until the deadline.
The application is valid only when you have completed all the steps.
Required documents
You must upload the following documents in "Søknadsweb":
| Documents | Comments |
|---|---|
| Portrait image
File name: portrait-your name-MAOP2022.pdf (max. 15MB) |
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| Documentation of Bachelor's degree (or equivalent)/Transcript of records
File name: Diploma-bachelor.pdf or Transcript-of-records.pdf (max. 15 MB) |
All pages of the Diploma must be uploaded. If you complete your bachelor's degree during the year of application, you must upload a transcript of records showing how far you have progressed in your programme of study. In addition, you must submit by email a scanned copy of your Diploma once you have obtain your degree no later than July 1st. If we do not receive such confirmation, any admission to the programme will be revoked and reassigned to a qualified applicant. All documents must be translated to English by an official translator if they are note in English or a Nordic language. Your original education documents must always be scanned and enclosed. You may later be asked to display the original documents. |
| Proof of Proficiency in English
File name: English.pdf (max. 15 MB) |
All applicants must be proficient in English. Applicants with educational background from either outside of the Nordic countries or from non-English speaking countries must document English proficiency. See NOKUT for more information about language requirements. |
| Repertoire and application form
File name: MAOP2022-application form.pdf (max. 15 MB) |
See information for requirements for repertoire. Fill in required information in the application form and upload to Søknadsweb. |
| Are you applying for admission to the Master's programme, but are unsure whether you meet the requirement for 25 credits in scenic subjects?
Then you must also upload documentation of relevant scenic experience from productions or scenic projects of a certain extent. This is documented by certificates from the employer, or even media reviews. Course certificates from operastudio etc. may also be relevant. In addition, you must attach a CV (pdf) with an overall overview of your scenic practice, where work/assignments, content (repertoire/roles) as well as time/duration and scope are clearly stated. This also applies if you do not have enough higher education to meet the educational requirement for either the one-year programme or the master's programme. |
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Requirements for repertoire
| Requirements for repertoire |
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Your repertoire for the entrance examinations shall consist of 4 arias/scenes of different character. The repertorie shall cover at least two different eras and at least two different languages. One of the arias shall be performed witg recitative. It is encouraged to perform the arias in the original language. You must submit video recording of 2 arias until the application deadline of 1st February 2022 at 23:59. Applications submitted incompletely, or without links, will not be assessed. |
| Pianist | |
|---|---|
| Candidates for the final in week 10 will be awarded to one of the Academy of Opera's pianist. Own pianist can be used. This must be specified in the application form. | |
| Recorded video requirements | |
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About the audition process
The first part of the Academy of Opera's entrance examinations is conducted digitally. This means, you must submit video recording of 2 arias from your audition repertoire within the application deadline of 1st February 2022.
| Schedule for the entrance examinations: | |
|---|---|
| 1st Round - VIDEO | In round one the jury will hear the submitted video with 2 arias from your repertoire for the entrance examinations. 1st March you will be notified by e-mail whether you qualify for round two or not. |
| 2nd Round - the final | The final will take place at the Academy of Opera, KHiO, during week 10. |
Please address any questions about the admissions process to postmottak@khio.no .
Student exchange
If you are interested in becoming an exchange student at Oslo National Academy of the Arts, read more at the Student Exchange page.
