Summer, for many, means vacation and a time to play. But for aspiring opera and classical vocalists, summer offers a transformative opportunity with the Patti and Allan Herbert Frost School of Music Program at Salzburg – the home of Mozart and “The Sound of Music,” the beloved movie musical and ode to the power of song.
For five weeks in July and August, just over 30 students from the Frost School and across the United States take masterclasses and private lessons with acclaimed singers; meet their counterparts and their idols; attend world-class opera, vocal recitals, and classical music performances at the Salzburg Festival, one of Europe’s most renowned arts celebrations; and absorb the rich traditions and culture of a centuries-old epicenter of their art form.
“Students here begin to understand what it is to be an artist,” says associate professor and mezzo-soprano Robynne Redmon, the director of the Salzburg program, which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. “Not only do they get the training we give them, they are getting exposure to the world they want to be part of and a great cultural experience."
Last summer, awed Salzburg program students met world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming at a concert, only to find she’d be leading a Q&A for them the next day. This summer, masterclass teachers include Frost School Chair of Vocal Performance Frank Ragsdale; internationally famed singers Daniel Okulitch and Dina Kuznetsova, a professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music; and Wagnerian soprano Linda Watson, the world’s most recorded Brünnhilde.
The performances at the Salzburg Festival are among the best in the world. “Every year we see the Vienna Philharmonic, we see operas and German lieder,” says Redmon. “We see great stars from around the world or stars you haven’t heard of yet, like Anna Netrebko.” (The Russian singer first made a splash on the international scene singing at the Salzburg Festival in 2002.)
The experience can change lives and careers. “It’s so common to see lights go on,” says Redmon. That happened for Frost lecturer and celebrated Miami-raised opera singer Sandra Lopez Neill, who attended the Salzburg program and got bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Frost School. “Her experience in Salzburg was when she realized she wanted to work that hard to be a singer,” Redmon says.
Frost doctoral student Christine Jobson was planning a career in academia until Redmon persuaded her to come to Salzburg in 2018, where she won the Mirabell Competition, a contest for program participants. Redmon introduced her to renowned mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry, a pioneering African-American opera artist then living in Vienna, who offered advice and encouragement to Jobson, who is also African-American. Now, Jobson has a busy and successful performing career. “Her experience here in Salzburg was a great inspiration for her to go in the direction she went in,” says Redmon.
The program’s rigorous study is particularly crucial to classical vocalists, who take years to mature artistically and physically. Attendees also take an intensive German course, where they can earn an A1 certificate, an internationally recognized certification. Not only does this give them a foundation in one of opera’s four essential languages – German, French, Italian, and English – but it also puts them on the road to be able to audition for one of the state-supported opera troupes in almost every city and town in Germany, which offer a rare level of security. “The greatest opportunities in the world for jobs as an opera singer are in Germany,” says Redmon. “If you’re a singer who wants a family and stability, working in the German system is really attractive.”
Salzburg Program masterclass teacher Barbara Bonney with student Colin Raab. Photo courtesy of the Frost School of Music.
Then, there is the chance to experience the gorgeous landscape, architecture, and rich musical history of Salzburg and Vienna. Students perform at Schloss Leopoldskron, an estate with stunning formal gardens where much of “The Sound of Music” was filmed. For the Mirabell Competition, the Salzburg program students compete for cash prizes and the chance to perform at the Marble Hall of Mirabell Palace. In this Baroque estate, the Mozart family performed for Salzburg royalty.
This summer, six students are from the Frost School, and the rest are from other institutions. Most receive some scholarships, says Redmon. “Seeing the kids and how they blossom inspires me,” she says. “It’s spiritual food here.”
