The Children’s Opera Choir of the Staatstheater Nürnberg has existed in its present form since the 21/22 Season, when the Staatstheater took over as the body responsible for the Kinder- u. Jugendchor, formerly of the LGV Nürnberg. The latter ensemble has a proud track record of performances at the Opernhaus going back to 1982, under the directorship of Barbara Labudde and later Klaus Bimüller.
Choir rehearsals
Outside of school holidays, the Choir rehearses on Wednesdays in three groups:
03.00 pm to 04.00 pm: Repertoire Choir
04.00 pm to 05.00 pm: Stage Choir
05.00 pm to 06.00 pm: Small groups
The Repertoire Choir familiarises children aged 6+, in a playful atmosphere, with works from the repertoire mounted on the main stage. The youngsters receive vocal training and have ample time to develop their talents at the Staatstheater. For instance, they present their work in a short piece of musical theatre in the Schauspielhaus’s 3. Etage performance space or at other venues in the city.
In the Stage Choir the children’s rehearsals relate specifically to the venue’s current major opera productions. Activities are split between weekly musical practice and irregularly scheduled rehearsals - onstage or offstage, depending on the production – on weekday evenings and Saturdays. The kids also sing the children’s-choir parts in Opernhaus productions. The work is project-related, which means that the children may have several weeks without rehearsals following a more intensive period of rehearsals.
Throughout the season there are also opportunities for all members of the Children’s Opera Choir to take part in weekend workshops conducted by professionals from all areas of onstage craft: acting, choreography, voice training and bodywork.
Voice training
Throughout their time at the Staatstheater Nürnberg, and parallel to their rehearsals, the children receive professional, individual voice training appropriate for their stage of development.
Profile
In the Children’s Opera Choir we approach the acting and music as a single entity from the start. Depending on which opera is currently running, we have scope to work on our own productions or dabble in concert performance with the Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg.
Team
Philipp Roosz, Head of Children’s Opera Choir
Sabrina Wierschin, Assistant Head
Christine Lehner-Belkaied, voice training
TBA, voice training
Sonja Schmidt, child care/supervision
Joining / costs / requirements
All children who like singing and acting are welcome to join the Children’s Opera Choir. No prior experience is required. Kids can normally join at any point between productions. On request, we will organise a short audition and face-to-face chat or a taster rehearsal (depending on age and production).
Involvement in the Children’s Opera Choir is normally free of charge. Children receive free voice training and snacks during the performances and parents are entitled to discounted tickets for performances in which their children are taking part. There is no remuneration for children involved in an opera production.
Rehearsals – sneak peek
Our Children's Opera Choir made its first appearance on stage in our production of Carmen. The Digitaler Fundus offers some exclusive insights into the rehearsals process.
Digitaler Fundus
Contact
For information and to register for an audition, email: kinderopernchor(at)staatstheater-nuernberg.de
Photo © Pedro Malinowski
