Canadian Opera Company turns final auditions for Ensemble Studio into a public vocal competition

The Canadian Opera Company announced that it is opening the doors to its final-selection auditions for its Ensemble Studio apprenticeship program, turning it into a de facto voice competition.

According to a press release on Tuesday, the company expects to provide the public with the opportunity to hear 10 to 15 finalists for the following season's Ensemble Studio openings on Nov. 28, starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre.

"With the creation of the Ensemble Studio Competition, the public is invited to be a part of the singers’ professional journeys from the very beginning as it shines a spotlight onemerging artists in a substantial and significant way,” stated company general director Alexander Neef in the release.

Further details, including ticket information, will come later.

The Ensemble Studio has been around since 1980. There is hardly a prominent Canadian singer in the world who has not, in some way, been touched by this apprenticeship program, which was the brainchild of former general director Lotfi Mansouri.

Alexander Neef has, since becoming general director three years ago, done everything he can to further provide opportunities in Toronto for talented Canadian singers. This competition is a significant -- if symbolic -- addition to that effort, because it helps further draw public attention to the exciting talents this country is producing.