Mascarade Emerging Artists Programme
About the Programme
The Mascarade Opera Emerging Artist Programme supports exceptional young opera singers and répétiteurs at a pivotal stage in their professional development.
Based in Florence, the Programme is built around the individual artist. Rather than following a fixed curriculum, Mascarade creates a personalised pathway that responds to each artist’s development and professional direction. The Programme offers a flexible one-to-two-year pathway, with the duration and focus developed in close collaboration between each artist and the Mascarade team.
Combining performance opportunities with focused artistic development and career guidance, Mascarade provides artists with the support needed to take the next step in their careers. Artists work closely with leading coaches, conductors, industry professionals, opera companies, and agencies, gaining valuable experience and insight into the international opera profession.
At its core, Mascarade is about supporting artists as they transition from emerging talent into professional careers, with a focus on developing the individual artist and creating a sustainable path into the profession.
A personalised pathway for every artist
Every artist’s journey at Mascarade is different. The Programme is shaped in close collaboration between each artist and the Mascarade faculty and team, evolving in response to their development and professional direction.
Whether preparing for performance opportunities, navigating the next stage of their career, or building confidence within the profession, each artist receives support tailored to their individual journey.
Performance at the centre
Performance is central to the Mascarade experience. Through the Programme’s network of partner opera houses, festivals, agencies, and industry professionals, artists gain access to meaningful performance opportunities that support their progression into the profession.
Artists are supported in pursuing roles, covers, concerts, recitals, and showcase performances across Europe, building the experience and professional relationships needed for an international career. Mascarade works closely with each artist to identify opportunities that align with their development and future direction.
Preparing for the profession
Mascarade supports artists as they transition into the profession, providing tailored career guidance and access to its network of opera houses, agencies, and industry professionals.
Alumni success
Mascarade artists continue to build careers on international stages after completing the Programme. Our alumni have gone on to perform with leading opera houses, festivals, and orchestras around the world, carrying forward the artistic and professional foundations developed at Mascarade.
Aaron Godfrey-Mayes
Tenor
Mascarade Artist 2021–23
In past seasons, Aaron appeared as Don Ramiro (La Cenerentola) at English National Opera and was named a finalist in the Paris Opera Competition. This season, he performs the role of the Third Knappe (Parsifal) at Semperoper Dresden and the Prologue (The Turn of the Screw) at Opéra de Toulon.
Garrett Evers
Tenor
Mascarade Artist 2024–25
In his second season as a member of the Ensemble at Staatstheater Meiningen, Garrett debuts Tito (La clemenza di Tito), Fenton (Falstaff), and Don Gomez (Henry VIII by Saint-Saëns). He also returns to the roles of Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni), Edwin (Die Csárdásfürstin), and Walther von der Vogelweide (Tannhäuser).
Aebh Kelly
Mezzo-soprano
Mascarade Artist 2021–24
She joins the Ensemble at Staatsoper Hamburg in September 2026. Kelly’s recent and upcoming highlights include major house debuts at the Opéra national de Paris, Teatro alla Scala, and Bayerische Staatsoper. Her 2024–2026 seasons feature a diverse range of role debuts, including Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Nancy Tang (Nixon in China), the Dryad (Ariadne auf Naxos), and the Page of Herodias (Salome).
Caterina Meldolesi
Soprano
Mascarade Artist 2022–24
This season, she makes her role debut as Turandot in Puccini’s masterpiece, with performances at Teatro Sociale in Como, Teatro Ponchielli in Cremona, Teatro Fraschini in Pavia, Teatro Grande in Brescia, and Teatro Donizetti in Bergamo. Her past engagements include Santuzza (Cavalleria rusticana) at Alexander Girardi Hall in Cortina d’Ampezzo, La Madre (Cronaca di un amore) at Teatro di Piacenza, Lady Macbeth (Macbeth) at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa, and Abigaille (Nabucco) at Nationaltheater Mannheim.
Grisha Martirosyan
Baritone
Mascarade Artist 2021–23
Winner of the Second Prize and the Don Plácido Domingo Ferrer Prize for Zarzuela at Operalia, The World Opera Competition, Grisha makes his debut in the 2026/27 season at the Donizetti Opera Festival in the title role of Alahor in Granata, at Oper Köln as Sharpless (Madama Butterfly), and at Teatro Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as Valentin (Faust). He returns to Theater Bonn as Figaro (Il barbiere di Siviglia).
THE PATHWAY TO THE PROFESSION
Performance is central to the Mascarade Opera Emerging Artist Programme. Each artist follows an individual pathway designed to create meaningful professional opportunities and build experience on the international stage.
Through Mascarade’s network of partner opera houses and festivals across Europe, artists gain access to roles, covers, concerts, and recitals. Opportunities may include productions with partner institutions such as Staatstheater Mannheim, Staatstheater Augsburg, and Staatstheater Wiesbaden, alongside orchestral concerts, opera galas, and other professional engagements.
Career Guidance & Mentorship
Mascarade works closely with each artist and its agency association members to support the transition from emerging talent to professional career. Guidance is tailored to each artist’s needs and includes audition preparation, competition support, artistic positioning, and advice on navigating professional opportunities.
Industry Connections
From the beginning of the Programme, artists are introduced to the wider opera industry through close partnerships with agencies, casting directors, opera companies, festivals, and other professionals.
In 2026, Mascarade is proud to announce its association with three agencies: Boris Orlob Management, Sorek Artists Management, and Melos Opera.
Career Development Fund
Recognising the practical costs involved in building an international career, every singer receives access to a Career Development Fund to support essential professional expenses, including travel to auditions and competitions, scores, coaching sessions, and headshots.
Artistic Development
Mascarade’s artistic development programme is tailored to each artist, providing focused support to strengthen their craft and prepare them for the demands of a professional career.Artists receive individual guidance and training across the areas most relevant to their development, including:
Musical & Dramatic Development
• Regular 1:1 coaching with expert coaches and vocal consultants
• Role preparation and repertoire development
• Work with conductors and musical staff
Stagecraft, acting, movement, and performance preparation
• Performance psychology and performance management sessions
• Full o pera score study for répétiteurs
Language & Communication
• Weekly Italian language training
• Intensive language periods in Italian, German, and French
• Support with diction, text preparation, and international repertoire
Apply and Audition
MASCARADE OPERA 2027–2028
Online applications for Mascarade Opera 2027–2028 will open 14 September 2026.
Live auditions will take place in early 2027.
Application Guidelines
Apply through Yap Tracker
Application rEQUIREMENTS
Application requirements for Singers
Application requirements for Répétiteurs
Faculty
ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT
In addition to our core training faculty, we welcome coaches and industry professionals from around the world to work with our singers each year. These visiting experts bring different perspectives and areas of expertise, giving artists the opportunity to work with leading professionals beyond the regular faculty.
Recent guests have included Sherman Lowe, Vivica Genaux, James Platt (vocal consultants), Wyn Davies (conductor), Noa Naamat (stage director), and Federico Grazzini (stage director).
Julia Lynch
Jonathon Cole-Swinard
Jonathan Papp
Irene Colantoni
Dr Ralph Strehle
FAQs
Can applicants bring a pianist, agent, family member, or friend?
Who will accompany the audition?
What should singers bring to the audition?
What audition wear is appropriate?
