Concert on August 1, 2017 – Pauline Resseguier conducts the orchestra
Conducting Course/Competition 2018
In summer 2017, Opéra de Baugé organised its first international conducting course and competition under the direction of Konstantinos Diminakis. The first prize was won by Nicolas Duna, second prize by Alfredo Bruno, and Pauline Resseguier won the audience prize. This event was judged very successful by the participants, the management of Opéra de Baugé, and by the mayor of Baugé-en-Anjou Philippe Chalopin.
Maestro Diminakis and Opéra de Baugé will organise the second course and competition in July/August 2018, to coincide with Opéra de Baugé’s 16th international opera festival. The course will be in English language.
The course is designed for advanced students of conducting and for young conductors who have concluded their professional training, wishing to extend their knowledge and experience in rehearsing and conducting operatic repertoire. The conducting course will be concluded with a public concert, conducted by the students. Professional piano répétiteurs and the Opéra de Baugé Orchestra will play for the classes, final rehearsal and concert. Students will have free access to rehearsals and performances of the opera festival.
Course content
The course will consist of lectures and demonstrations and conducting sessions for all participants. Sessions will include conducting 3 stage piano rehearsals and a concert of various operatic ensembles, as well as 5 orchestral sessions, leading to the competition, playing an opera-based repertoire.
Final concert
A public concert will take place on 31st August at the Centre Culturel René d’Anjou, Baugé during which selected participants will conduct. A jury will award a first and second honour prize. There will in addition be audience and orchestra honour prizes.
The concert will be video-recorded and copies will be provided to all participants.
Dates
Participants will arrive in Baugé on 26th July and the course will start on the following morning. The concert will take place on the evening of 31st July and participants are expected to depart the following morning.
Board and lodging from 26th July to 1st August and is included in the course fee. Participants will be accommodated by local families and will take their meals with the festival musicians at Les Capucins, where the festival takes place.
Whilst participants are expected to handle their own travel arrangements, we can arrange pick-ups from Angers TGV station.
Cost
1,000 euros per participant, which includes all instruction and practice sessions, the final concert subject to selection, board and lodging. An advance payment of 200 euros must be made to secure a place on the course, following acceptance on application. The balance is to be paid by 10th July.
Opera tickets
Every participant will be offered a free ticket to each of the three operas being performed this season.
Applications to join the course are now closed.
