Principal Artists

DES MOINES METRO OPERA IS...one of the largest summer festivals featuring over 200 talented singers, musicians, coaches, conductors, and directors in three productions in repertory. Principal artists will be in-residence from May 24 - July 13, 2008 with mainstage performances beginning June 20 and continuing through the last performance on July 13. Repertory for the 36th Summer Festival in 2008 includes Verdi’s A Masked Ball (sung in Italian), Blitzstein’s Regina (sung in English) and Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (sung in English).

Principal artists receive a performance fee, shared apartment housing, and travel to and from Indianola. Artists are engaged for one or two roles. Principal artists for the Des Moines Metro Opera are generally engaged through management. Principal Artist auditions are held in conjunction with Apprentice Artist and OPERA Iowa auditions each year in various cities. At least half of the Chicago and New York City audition period will be devoted to Apprentice Artist and OPERA Iowa auditions.

August, 2008 Auditions

Des Moines Metro Opera will hold one day of early audtions in New York City on Aug 15, 2008 for projected mainstage repertory for the 2009 Summer Festival Season. Info about potential repertory will be sent to managements in July 2008.  Very limited time may be available for artists without management on this date. Materials and a demo recording must be received by July 15, 2008 in order to be considered.

In addition, DMMO will hear auditions on August 15 for casting needs for its 2009 OPERA Iowa Educational Outreach Program. Repertory includes Rossini's The Barber of Seville and a new piece by Michael Patterson entitled A Dream Fulfilled. Interested artists should send materials and a demo recording by July 15, 2008 in order to be considered for an audition slot.

Regular Fall auditions will be held in late October for managed and unmanaged principal artists as well as for the Apprentice Artist Program and the OPERA Iowa program. Dates will be announced in August, 2008.

MANAGED ARTISTS

Des Moines Metro Opera regularly contacts artists' representatives with audition dates and repertory information prior to each round of auditions. Artists with representation should contact their representative for information on these auditions. Representatives seeking to receive audition announcements should submit a request as well as information on their roster to the DMMO offices via regular mail.

UNMANAGED ARTISTS

Des Moines Metro Opera will also hear unmanaged artists in audition for principal roles, however, time for these auditions is usually very limited and will be allocated to artists auditioning for particular roles and with substantial previous performing credits. Repertory is announced in August as well as which roles are open for auditions.

As much as we would like to hear everyone who submits audition materials, itis seldom possible because of time considerations. An accompanist is provided by DMMO for all live auditions.

For consideration for an unmanaged principal artist audition, please submit the following:

1. $20 non-refundable application fee

2. Completed application form (download below)

3. 8x10 black and white photo

4. Current resumé

A live audition is not guaranteed and the application fee will not be refunded if an audition is not granted.