Composer Librettist Team Opportunity for Youth Opera Commission
/ORGANIZATION: Pacific Opera Victoria, Vancouver Opera Association
DEADLINE: November 30, 2026
WEBSITE: http://pacificopera.ca/whats-on/opera-sprouts/
CALL FOR ARTISTS:
Opera Sprouts Competition is returning and looking for composers and librettists who wish to explore the world of creating new opera for youth in BC schools. This program offers composer/librettist teams an opportunity to compete for a full commission of their work to tour BC schools in spring 2028. In partnership with Vancouver Opera, Opera Sprouts is focused on working with composer/librettist teams interested in mentorship, process and building collaborative relationships as the core of developing new work for schools within the setting of a professional opera company.
Responsibilities:
The commission will be awarded after the presentation of the May workshop, which will be for local school audiences.
Composers will write a 15-minute excerpt for up to four voices (SATB).
Librettists will complete a libretto for a 45-minute opera in English.
A professional audio/visual recording of the performance of the 15-minute excerpt will be produced to promote the work in other spaces.
We welcome applications from individual composers and librettists, as well as teams, who embody artistic excellence across a diversity of performing arts disciplines, including opera, theatre arts, classical and new music, or related performance practices. Ideal applicants bring a genuine curiosity about writing for young audiences alongside a real appetite for opera as an art form.
Applicants (both composer and librettist) must be Canadian citizens or have landed immigrant status.
This program is committed to creating more opportunities for artists who self-identify as diverse. We want our stages to reflect the full diversity of Canadian society, and we’re actively working to lift up voices and stories that have been left out in the past.
HOW TO APPLY:
Complete the application form online: https://pacificopera.ca/whats-on/opera-sprouts-form/
FEES/COMPENSATION:
Each successful team receives $8,000, shared between the composer and librettist, and a year-long mentorship valued at $3,000 for their participation. No application fee was specified in the provided information.
