Berlin Opera Academy 2025: Six Weeks of Opera, Music and Artistic Development

From 10 July to 17 August 2025, I had the opportunity to take part in the summer programme of the Berlin Opera Academy, an experience that marked an important step in my development as an opera singer.

During six intensive weeks in Berlin, my daily work included musical and stage rehearsals, individual coachings, masterclasses, repertoire preparation and professional auditions. The programme gave me the opportunity not only to prepare and perform a new operatic role, but also to work with a wide range of artists, teachers and coaches, each bringing their own experience and artistic perspective.

Valletto in Monteverdi’s "L’incoronazione di Poppea"

The central focus of my time in Berlin was preparing the role of Valletto in Claudio Monteverdi’s opera L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea).

I worked on the production with stage director Cecilia Stinton and conductor David Kram, taking part in an intensive process of musical and dramatic preparation.

On 13 August 2025, I performed in the premiere at Theater im Delphi in Berlin, Germany, marking my international operatic debut.

Working on Valletto was particularly valuable because it allowed me to explore both the musical precision and stylistic demands of Monteverdi’s music, as well as the lively, comic and highly character-driven nature of the role.

Rosalinde and New Repertoire

Alongside the role I performed on stage, I also prepared Rosalinde in Johann Strauss II’s "Die Fledermaus" as a study role.

The work included musical, linguistic and interpretative preparation, and I successfully completed the role assessment at the end of the programme.

Preparing these two roles in parallel gave me the opportunity to work in two very different musical and theatrical worlds, from Monteverdi’s early Baroque style to the vocal and stylistic demands of Strauss’s operetta.

Summer Soirée

Another memorable moment during my time in Berlin was the Summer Soirée concert on 1 August, where I performed Liù’s aria “Tu che di gel sei cinta” from Puccini’s Turandot.

The performance was very warmly received, with an enthusiastic response and ovation from the audience. For me, however, it also carried a deeply personal significance. Performing such an emotionally demanding aria requires a willingness to expose a certain vulnerability, and the support I received afterwards became a powerful affirmation of trusting my own voice and artistic instincts.

There was something deeply rewarding in feeling that my voice could be seen, accepted and supported for what it is, rather than shaped to fit the expectations of others. It remains one of my most meaningful and cherished memories from Berlin.

Watch my performance of “Tu che di gel sei cinta” here

Masterclasses, Coachings and a Professional Audition

An important part of my Berlin Opera Academy experience was the opportunity to work with numerous artists, teachers and coaches.

I attended a masterclass with bass Dominic Barberi, and throughout the programme I also worked with artists and coaches including Rick Piersall, Jessica Cambio, Carla Cottini, Nobuko Amemiya, Helene Jeannay and Jaka Mihelač, among others.

Each of these encounters offered a different perspective on vocal technique, interpretation, style and the way singers present themselves within the professional opera world.

A particularly valuable experience was a professional audition with an opera agent. Beyond the experience of the audition itself, I received positive feedback as well as concrete and constructive advice regarding the further development of my repertoire and how to position my voice and artistic profile.

An Experience That Continued Beyond Berlin

For me, Berlin Opera Academy was much more than the preparation of a single production. Six weeks of intensive work allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the demands of professional opera production, expand my repertoire, develop my stage experience and collaborate with artists from different parts of the world.

I was especially grateful for the professional feedback I received after the programme from Mark Sampson, Artistic Director of Berlin Opera Academy.

In his recommendation, he highlighted my artistic and technical development, dedication, professionalism and ability to create complex and convincing characters through my stage work.

Read the recommendation here

I left Berlin on 17 August with much more than another role added to my repertoire. I came away with new experience, knowledge, professional connections and a clearer sense of the direction in which I want to continue developing my work as an opera singer.

Watch an excerpt from the performance: