Suor Angelica Auditions

Auditions
Sunday 13^th August 1pm to 5pm
Australian National University School of Music

Creative Team and Audition panel | Director: Rachel Hogan, Musical Director: To be confirmed, National Opera Committee representative: Stephanie McAlister.

Performances | 28 September 6pm and and 30 September 2pm and 6pm at Albert Hall. Peformance running time is approximately 60 minutes.

Rehearsal Information
Wednesdays 6:45pm – 9:45pm (every second Wednesday starting 23^rd August)
Sunday’s 11am – 4pm from 20^th August – 24 September
Rehearsal Venue: ANU School of Music

Voluntary participation
We are not in a position to offer payment for any roles in this production. Participation is voluntary. 

Principal roles
Suor Angelica  (please note this role as been pre-cast)
La Principessa

Minor Principals roles
Sisters Genioveffa, The Abbess, The Monitoress, The Mistress of the Novices

Supporting roles
Sisters Osmina and Dolcina, The Nursing Sister, The Questuants (x2), A novice,

Chorus 
The Postulants

Please refer to the audition pack under ‘Audition requirements’ for detailed vocal ranges and role information.

You can downloand the audition pack here.

Each auditionee will have a 10 minute session. Please book via our website.

Each auditionee will have a 10 minute session.

• Sopranos are asked to prepare music from Figure 9 to Figure 10 which can be downloaded here.
• Second sopranos / mezzos are asked to prepare music from Figure 3 to Figure 4 which can be downloaded here.
• Altos are asked to prepare music from Figure 45 to figure 46 which can be downloaded here.

An accompanist will be on hand to play your audition piece. Auditionees can use the provided sheet music in their audition.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of your scheduled audition to ensure you have all your paperwork in order and have a photo taken (Photos are deleted after the audition process).  

Other points

* Drink plenty of water and have a good night’s sleep before your audition.

* During your audition the production team may stop you midway through a song. This may be due to time constraints, the desire to work with you further on the number or they may have seen enough to gauge your ability.

* We are not anticipating the need for callbacks as part of this audition process.

Opera Synopsis
Place: A convent near Siena.
Time: The latter part of the 17th century.

The opera opens with scenes showing typical aspects of life in the convent — all the sisters sing hymns, the Monitor scolds two lay-sisters, everyone gathers for recreation in the courtyard. The sisters rejoice because, as the Mistress of Novices explains, this is the first of three evenings that occur each year when the setting sun strikes the fountain so as to turn its water golden. This event causes the sisters to remember Bianca Rosa, a sister who has died. Sister Genevieve suggests they pour some of the “golden” water onto her tomb. 
The nuns discuss their desires. While the Monitor believes that any desire at all is wrong, Sister Genevieve confesses that she wishes to see lambs again because she used to be a shepherdess when she was a girl, and Sister Dolcina wishes for something good to eat. Sister Angelica claims to have no desires, but as soon as she says so, the nuns begin gossiping — Sister Angelica has lied, because her true desire is to hear from her wealthy, noble family, whom she has not heard from in seven years. Rumors are that she was sent to the convent in punishment.
The conversation is interrupted by the Infirmary Sister, who begs Sister Angelica to make an herbal remedy, her specialty. Two tourières arrive, bringing supplies to the convent, as well as news that a grand coach is waiting outside. 
Sister Angelica becomes nervous and upset, thinking rightly that someone in her family has come to visit her. The Abbess chastises Sister Angelica for her inappropriate excitement and announces the visitor, the Princess, Sister Angelica’s aunt. 
The Princess explains that Angelica’s sister is to be married and that Angelica must sign a document renouncing her claim to her inheritance. Angelica replies that she has repented for her sin, but she cannot offer up everything in sacrifice to the Virgin — she cannot forget the memory of her illegitimate son, who was taken from her seven years ago. The Princess at first refuses to speak, but finally informs Sister Angelica that her son died of fever two years ago. Sister Angelica, devastated, signs the document and collapses in tears. The Princess leaves.
Sister Angelica is seized by a heavenly vision — she believes she hears her son calling for her to meet him in paradise. She makes a poison and drinks it, but realizes that in committing suicide, she has committed a mortal sin and has damned herself to eternal separation from her son. She begs the Virgin Mary for mercy and, as she dies, she sees a miracle: the Virgin Mary appears, along with Sister Angelica’s son, who runs to embrace her.

Please email any questions about the audition process to info@nationalopera.org.au and someone will respond promptly.