Summer Opera 2027

Banff Centre's Summer Opera is a four-week intensive for emerging and early-career singers, conductors and stage directors, running 5–31 July 2027 alongside an international faculty. The 2027 cohort works on new operas by Niloufar Nourbakhsh and Cecilia Livingston as well as selected classical opera scenes, through individual coaching, language and musical preparation, acting and movement work, rehearsals, masterclasses and public performances — about 20 artists take part at a time. There's no formal degree requirement, but applicants should already have solid technique and musicianship, or the equivalent for conductors and directors, curiosity about contemporary repertoire, and the ability to prepare independently; the programme runs in English and participants must be free for its entire duration. The total programme fee is 12,184.20 Canadian dollars, but a Banff Centre Arts Scholarship of 9,494.10 dollars — covering tuition plus a contribution to accommodation and meals — brings the actual cost down to 2,690.10 dollars for most participants; Canadian Indigenous artists can receive a scholarship covering the full fee, accommodation and meals. There's also a non-refundable 65-dollar application fee, 35 dollars for Indigenous applicants. Applying means submitting supporting materials online and completing the financial-aid section if you want to be considered for the scholarship; the page doesn't specify exactly what materials are required or how applications get assessed. The deadline is 4 November 2026.