The NRW Opera Studio has a track record of success, as evidenced by the numerous engagements secured by its graduates to date.

Four renowned opera houses – Dortmund Opera, the Aalto Music Theatre in Essen, the MiR in Gelsenkirchen and Wuppertal Opera – work together to help particularly talented young singers and accompanists make the transition from their studies to a professional career.

The members of the Opernstudio NRW develop a broad repertoire ranging from early Baroque to contemporary music, from opera, operetta and musicals to concert and art song. An important part of the NRW Opera Studio is the series of masterclasses led by renowned tutors such as Helen and Klaus Donath, Lothar Odinius, George Petrou, Helmut Deutsch, Claudia Barainksy, Ann Murray, Roman Trekel, Edith Wiens, Bo Skovhus, Johannes Martin Kränzle and Roberto Rizzi-Brignoli. The experience gained by the Opera Studio members through their collaboration with outstanding directors, coaches, conductors and orchestras ensures they have excellent career prospects.

At the end of each season, the young artists collaborate on a joint project: a concert programme performed with an orchestra at the MiR Gelsenkirchen.

The Opera Studio has been developed exclusively for a maximum of eight young singers and two accompanists who have completed a university degree, and consistently receives numerous applications from all over the world.

The NRW Opera Studio is funded by the State of North Rhine-Westphalia through the Ministry of Culture and Science.