auditions AND EMPLOYMENT

The Florentine Opera is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on all legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.

Baumgartner Studio Artist Residency

The Baumgartner Studio Artist Residency is a season-long comprehensive artist-in-residence program for singers beginning their professional careers.

Applications for the 2025/26 season are closed. The Florentine Opera will announce auditions for the 2026/27 season in Fall 2025.

Summer Studio Ensemble

The Summer Studio Ensemble is an 8-week program for singers.

Applications for the 2025/26 season are closed. The Florentine Opera will announce auditions for the 2026/27 season in Fall 2025.

Collaborative Pianist

The Collaborative Pianist is a season-long comprehensive artist-in-residence program for pianists beginning their professional careers.

Applications for the 2025/26 season are closed. The Florentine Opera will announce auditions for the 2026/27 season in Fall 2025.

Contact artistic@florentineopera.org for more information.

General and Chorus Auditions

The Florentine Opera will hold auditions for experienced, classically trained singers in all voice categories for the company’s choral ensemble for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons under the direction of Chorus Master, Dr. Benjamin Rivera. As a proud member of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), the Florentine Opera compensates choristers for main stage productions in alignment with established hourly rehearsal and per performance rates and provisions.

2025/26 MAINSTAGE OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Don Giovanni by W.A. Mozart (performed in Italian)

September, 2025: music rehearsals to be scheduled from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (primarily on weeknights)
October 6-22, 2025: staging & tech rehearsals
October 24 & 26(m), 2025: performances at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (Uihlein Hall)
all voice types

Tales of Hoffmann by J. Offenbach (performed in French)

early January to late February, 2026: music rehearsals to be scheduled from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (primarily on weeknights)
Feb 23 to March 11, 2026: staging and tech rehearsals
March 13 & 15(m), 2026: performances at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (Uihlein Hall)
all voice types

Tosca by G. Puccini (performed in Italian)

mid March to late April, 2026: music rehearsals to be scheduled from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (primarily on weeknights)
April 27 to May 13, 2026: staging and tech rehearsals
May 15 & 17(m), 2026: performances at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (Uihlein Hall)
all voice types

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for an audition, please submit the following materials to Jason Abrams, Artistic Administrator, at artistic@florentineopera.org . The deadline to submit is 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2025. Applicants residing within 100 miles of Milwaukee, WI are highly encouraged to apply. A submission of application materials will not guarantee an audition, and an audition will not be a guarantee of employment.

Headshot (or high quality “selfie”)
Performance resume

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

Auditions will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 during the hours of 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Lueders Opera Center in Milwaukee’s Historic Riverwest community at 926 East Burleigh Street.

Please plan to audition with two contrasting classical pieces of your choosing which best show off your vocal talents, your vocal range, your musicality, and your acting ability. One or both of these pieces should be in a language other than English, and fit one of the following categories listed below. Given that the Florentine Opera chorus mainly performs classical repertory, please note that songs from the American Songbook, folk songs, or Musical Theatre numbers are not permitted for this audition. If you are unsure about your choice, please email to ask for advice.

opera aria
solo aria from an oratorio or classical piece
art song

In addition, to the above, please prepare this excerpt from Gounod's Romèo et Juliette that aligns with your voice type (this does not need to be memorized).