Elena e Gerardo – Bottini (2023)
We are currently accepting applications for our 2023 historic world premiere of the 200-year old opera Elena e Gerardo, by Marianna Bottini. More information on the opera itself is available here.
The opera will be performed in Italian, with a chamber orchestra led by guest conductor Thomas Payne, and the production will be filmed.
Roles Available:
| Character | Voice Type |
| Elena – a young woman | Soprano |
| Laura – Elena’s maid | Mezzo-Soprano |
| Gerardo – A nobleman of Verona | Contralto (Trouser Role) |
| Vittorio – A nobleman of Verona, and Gerardo’s friend | Tenor |
| Pietro – A nobleman of Verona, and Elena’s father | Bass |
| Chorus | SSS AAA TTT BBB |
Rehearsal and Performance dates (all in Rugby, Warwickshire):
(N/A’s will not be possible for this production)
Fri 1 – Sun 3 September 2023 : Principals only (Rehearsal Workshop)
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Sat 16 – Sun 17 September 2023 : Covers only (Rehearsal Workshop)
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Mon 23 October 2023 : Principals only
Tues 24 October 2023 : All Cast and Chorus
Weds 25 October 2023 : All Cast and Chorus
Thurs 26 October 2023 : All Cast and Chorus (Band Call)
Fri 27 October 2023 : All Cast and Chorus (Dress Rehearsal)
Sat 28 October 2023 : Performance – Temple Speech Room, Rugby
Fees:
All roles and chorus parts are paid, with free accommodation provided on rehearsal days and on the night of the performance. Fees stated are for the whole production.
Principal Roles: £850
Chorus + Cover Roles: £600
Chorus Only Roles: £400
Important notes:
Random Opera Company has short rehearsal periods. This ensures that artists are able to manage around other performance commitments or day jobs. This works successfully, but isn’t for everyone, so please consider this before applying.
We are happy to consider overseas applicants who have the right to work in the UK. However, please note that accommodation is only provided on the stated rehearsal / performance dates, and cannot be provided for dates in between.
Musical style and voice types
Elena e Gerardo is baroque in style – written in both the same year and the same town as Rossini’s Semiramide. Below is an example of the type of coloratura that is required from all principal roles:
Below is a tessitura chart for each principal role – the black line shows the number of times each note appears for the character (soprano / mezzo-soprano / contralto indications are taken from the composer’s libretto)
To apply, please submit the following to auditions@randomopera.co.uk :
A copy of your musical CV
Links to two recent YouTube video recordings of operatic arias (at least one in Italian, and at least one demonstrating coloratura)
Please indicate whether you with to be considered for Principal, Cover+Chorus or Chorus only roles (or all three).
Applicants based outside the UK should indicate that they understand the accommodation arrangements.
Applications will be accepted until Midday on Sunday 18 December 2022.
Casting will take place based on audition video submissions only – there will not be any in-person auditions