Opera

You will graduate with a Master of Music with opera singing as your main subject. The teaching will be conducted mostly in English, although Finnish or Swedish can be used depending on the circumstances. The programme consists of a cycle of teaching modules scheduled in advance. The five modules and related opera productions are the core of the programme. You will participate in four full-scale opera productions with orchestras. Additionally, you will participate in small-scale operas or scenes.

Your demonstration of proficiency will consist of productions and related performances. Each module will last six weeks and will include an intensive rehearsal period and stage performances. Other curriculum as part of the degree requirements has been themed and scheduled so that it supports production participation.

The master’s programme is organized in collaboration with a selection of international partner universities. The international student exchange programme offers you the opportunity to build an international network of professionals while you are still at school. The teacher exchange similarly brings known teachers from abroad to Sibelius Academy, giving the domestic teachers a chance for professional growth and development.

The Sibelius Academy opera programme aims at providing you with the artistic skills necessary for demanding solo roles. The foundation of these skills lies in the mastery of the voice, excellent stage skills, and appreciation of music. After graduating from the opera coaching option, you can work as a versatile vocal music professional.

The Helsinki Music Centre opened in 2011. At the centre, Sibelius Academy has four concert halls and an auditorium. The Sonore Hall is the opera programme’s home stage and primary work space. It is designed for acoustic music, particularly for musical theatre. The stage mechanics and a pit for an orchestra of 30 players offer an ample setting for the new opera class and its productions. Some of the opera education will be hosted on the Nervanderinkatu premises.

The programme consists of a cycle of teaching modules scheduled in advance. The five modules and related opera productions are the core of the programme. You will participate in four full-scale opera productions with orchestras. Additionally, you will participate in small-scale operas or scenes.

Your demonstration of proficiency will consist of productions and related performances. Each module will last six weeks and will include an intensive rehearsal period and stage performances. Other curriculum as part of the degree requirements has been themed and scheduled so that it supports production participation.

Admission to the opera programme requires passing a proficiency test. New students to the programme are admitted every two years. You are placed by voice type. This will allow the formation of ensembles capable of staging entire opera performances. This way, the opera productions can be carried out using mainly internal recruitment.

Examinations

Sibelius Academy checks the applicants' eligibility after the application period has ended. The ones deemed eligible will get an invitation via e-mail no later than 2-3 weeks before the entrance examinations. In some programmes only a part of the applicants will be invited to take part in the actual entrance ecamination, based on their pre-examination assignments. The ones who are not invited will be informed via e-mail ca. one month before the entrance examination date.

The applicants must attend the entrance examination in person and they are responsible for any travel expenses that accompany the entrance examination. Each applicant is given a set time for the entrance examination. The timeslot cannot be changed. The applicant must notify Sibelius Academy Admissions Office if he or she will not be able to attend the entrance examination.

A tuition fee is applicable to students who are not citizens of countries of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. The amount of the annual tuition fee will be 5,000 euros. The amount of the fee will stay the same for the duration of a particular student’s studies.

Exemption from tuition fees

You are exempted from paying tuition fees if you have one of the following documents:

• Passport or identity card to indicate the citizenship of EU/EEA/Switzerland
• EU Blue Card in Finland
• Continuous residence permit card in Finland, Type A permit
• EU Family Member's Residence Card in Finland
• Permanent residence permit card in Finland, Type P permit
• EU residence permit for third-country citizens with long-term residence permit card in Finland (Type P-EU)

The University of the Arts Helsinki will introduce a scholarship programme in the form of tuition fee waivers, which aims to promote student recruitment and provide financial support for students who need it. Applicants should note that the University does not offer any scholarships for living expenses. Applicants who are liable for payment must also state on the application form if they want to apply for a scholarship from the University of the Arts Helsinki to cover the annual tuition fee if they get accepted. The scholarships are granted for one academic year at a time to some of the students based on their applications. The amount of the scholarship is 2,500 or 5,000 euros.