Mascarade Opera
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.
From Emerging Talent to Sustainable Opera Careers
Mascarade Opera offers a highly selective fellowship programme for exceptional young singers and répétiteurs.
It comprises two core branches: the Talent Pathway and the Mascarade Emerging Artists Programme, supported by an international network of partner opera houses. The Agency Association is an integrated extension of the Emerging Artists Programme, providing career management and professional representation to artists within the programme.
Together, these interconnected pathways ensure that artistic development and professional representation progress hand in hand.
Mascarade Emerging Artists Programme
Supporting emerging artists as they take the step from advanced training into the professional opera world. It connects artists with an international network of opera houses, agencies, and industry professionals, creating opportunities that support their artistic development and help establish their careers internationally.
Talent Pathway
Nurturing young singers at the formative stages of their artistic development. It complements formal conservatoire or music college training, giving artists the experience and support they need to prepare for a future career at the highest level of opera.
Mascarade People
Our team brings together diverse experience from across the opera and cultural sector, with backgrounds in artistic administration, production, management, and international programme development. This range of experience supports the work of Mascarade and the artists we work with.
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
Board & Founders
The people behind our vision
Our board and founders bring extensive experience from the opera and cultural sector, supporting our work and long-term vision.
Francis Parham
Roger Granville
Max Fane
Opera Europa Next Generation
Managed by Opera Europa, OperaVision is a freeview streaming platform supported by the European Union’s Creative Europe funding programme. Between 2025 and 2028, Creative Europe’s support will help Opera Europa to promote and train emerging artists working in opera and dance. Known as Opera Europa Next Generation, this initiative will give visibility and development opportunities to over 560 emerging artists – in person and online, including via OperaVision – and all thanks to the efforts of a consortium of 44 opera houses and talent development organisations from 17 European countries.
The New Generation Foundation
The New Generation Foundation is an independent non-profit based at the Palazzo Corsini al Prato in Florence, dedicated to supporting the next generation of artists through performance, education and research.
Originally founded in 2017 as the New Generation Festival by Frankie Parham, Roger Granville and Maximilian Fane, the initiative was created to champion exceptional young talent from around the world through opera, music and the performing arts. Following the success and international recognition of the Festival, including the landmark ReGeneration Festival presented in collaboration with the Uffizi Galleries during the summer of 2020, the Foundation expanded into a year-round cultural institution.
Today, the Foundation encompasses three principal branches: the New Generation Festival, Mascarade Opera and Vox Medicea. Together, these programmes foster artistic excellence across disciplines, combining high-level performance opportunities with advanced training and scholarly research.
