Opera at USC offers a truly comprehensive program for both graduate and undergraduate students, covering every facet of opera production, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Auditions are open to all University of South Carolina students, faculty and the Midlands
community.
Auditions will be held August 5, 6 and 12 via zoom. Follow the link below to sign up for an audition. You may use a prerecorded accompaniment track or sing acapella.
The season is still a work in progress, and will be finalized once we hear everyone who wants to participate. The season will be designed around YOU.
There will be no live audiences for opera in the fall. And as always, everything is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Please follow the link to register for an audition.
(dates, times and repertoire TBD)
Purchase tickets online or at the door.
Please note that online sales end at 3 p.m. on opening day. After that you may purchase at the
door one hour before show.
Adult: $25; seniors/USC faculty & staff/military: $20; student with ID & children:
$10
Opera at USC offers a truly comprehensive program for both graduate and undergraduate students, covering every facet of opera production, both on stage and behind the scenes. Singers, directors, pianists, conductors, marketing and public relations students and theatrical technicians get expert teaching and intensive hands-on experience in their respective crafts.
Opera at USC is one of only a handful of colleges and universities nationwide that offers special training and practice for aspiring opera stage directors. You can gain abundant practical stage experience by participating in the operas either onstage or off.
Opera at USC presents two fully staged operas with orchestra each year and also presents an evening of One-Act Operas, often with a graduate stage director. Roles are open to undergraduates and graduates.
Master classes conducted by international opera singers, conductors, coaches and directors are held each semester.
Voice faculty and the choral department work closely together with Opera at USC on many projects. Learn more about the choral ensembles and the vocal studies area.
See photos from our past seasons.
Ellen Douglas Schlaefer is director of Opera Studies. She has worked with some of the world’s top opera companies and directors, including the Washington Opera and Francesca Zambello. She has staged productions across the U.S. and throughout South Carolina.
Neil Casey is the assistant director of orchestras and teaches conducting, violin and chamber music. He also is conductor of the Armstrong Atlantic Youth Orchestra in Savannah, Ga. Casey conducts Opera at USC and the USC Campus Orchestra, an ensemble he created.
Lynn Kompass is vocal coach and associate professor. She provides musical preparation for all productions performed by Opera at USC and teaches courses in song literature and advanced diction for singers.
Michael LaRoche serves as the technical director for Opera at USC and is the information technology support consultant for the School of Music. He is a doctorate of musical arts candidate in voice performance (baritone).
Janet Hopkins is assistant professor of voice (mezzo-soprano). She has presented master classes throughout the U.S. and performed Beethoven's 9th in Kentucky and El Amor Brujo (Falla) with the S.C. Philharmonic.
Tina Milhorn Stallard is associate professor of voice (soprano) and teaches vocal pedagogy. She performed Vivaldi’s “Gloria” with the Shanghai Philharmonic as part of the cultural prelude to the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Jacob Will is a member of the voice faculty (bass-baritone). He made his New York Philharmonic debut as soloist in the American premiere of the “Messa per Rossini,” in a performance televised live nationwide.
Donald Gray has been a voice faculty member since 1972 and has performed all around the world. He has been a Metropolitan Opera audition winner and won the second annual Mario Lanza Competition.