Paris Opera Academy expands training program

The Paris Opera Academy, founded in 2015, will start accepting young choristers for the 2027-28 season, as reported by a recent source. This move aims to offer specialized training in the Choir of the Paris National Opera, which is known for its high standards in choral performance.

Choir training includes complex skills

The Choir of the Paris National Opera consists of 100 artists and has been directed by Ching-Lien Wu since 2021. It focuses on the demanding skills required for opera choristers, such as blending one’s voice with others, performing while acting, and singing a wide range of works from Verdi and Wagner to modern compositions in a single season.

Training includes diverse activities

Artists in residence will take part in about four productions each season and will also perform in concerts and shows held at the Olivier Messiaen Amphitheater or outside the Bastille Opera. Additional training will include vocal coaching, mock competitions, Alexander technique classes, sophrology, and courses in French as a foreign language, along with workshops on make-up, hairdressing, and social media communication.

Training is free but includes a stipend

The year-long training program is free, but participants will receive a monthly stipend of 2,300 euros gross under a full-time professional training contract. This stipend will be paid from August 23, 2027, to July 2028.

Applications open until December 2026

Applications for the program are open until December 31, 2026, for singers not already employed by a professional choir. Candidates must demonstrate a bachelor's level of education or provide a recommendation from a notable musical figure. Auditions will be held on February 5 and 6, 2027, at the Bastille Opera.

Candidates must perform specific pieces

During auditions, candidates will be required to perform two opera arias from memory—one in French and one in a language of their choice—followed by Rossini's Great Vocalise, performed forte and piano, transposed on the ascending and descending chromatic scale.

Individual excellence is key to entry

To be accepted into the choir, singers must first demonstrate individual talent and skill in their performances.