2027 CHOIR RESIDENCY
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22 MAY — 20 JULY, 2027
This residency is open to singers seeking to refine their choral skills.
For nearly 30 years, the Académie du Festival d'Aix has been committed to serving as the foundation for a new generation of artists by creating inspiring residency opportunities that bridge tradition and innovation. Lyric art—the origin of opera—is one of its hallmarks. The Academy gives international artists the opportunity to work and develop their careers alongside renowned vocal masters.
With this new residency, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence aims to make the choir a central part of its outreach initiative and to guide a new generation of artists toward the contemporary challenges of the profession. Combining immersion in opera productions, collective practice, and exploration of diverse repertoires, the program offers a unique space for professional development and experimentation. In this way, it transforms the choir into a hub for the creation, transmission, and renewal of opera.
The new Choir Residency invites 12 guest singers to participate in two productions as part of the 2027 edition of the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence
- Production 1 (18th-century repertoire): 12 singers (total: 12)
- Production 2 (19th-century repertoire): 4 singers (selected from the 12), performing “side by side” with a professional opera chorus (total number of singers: 35)
The artists will be offered an employment contract and will be compensated accordingly under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.
In addition to participating in the productions, the 12 singers of the in-residence choir will work on an a cappella program (ranging from early to contemporary music), drawing on a range of vocal techniques suited to the repertoire. The singers will have the opportunity to present this work during a concert and at off-site events.
The 2027 Choir Residency will also includes a series of activities, such as musical events organized with the Festival's Passerelles program.
The program also includes workshops on career management, artists' rights, and physical and mental preparation.
The Voice Residency receives support from the Fondation Société Générale its main sponsor.
Concert final Résidence Voix
Festival d'Aix-en-Provence 2026 © Vincent Beaume
MENTORING ARTISTS
Richard Wilberforce, a British-born choir director, countertenor, and composer, trained at the University of Cambridge and the Royal College of Music. As the director of the Jeune Chœur de Paris, the Ensemble vocal de la Maîtrise de Paris, and the Concert d’Astrée choir since 2023, he regularly collaborates with major international ensembles and conductors, while pursuing a career as a countertenor on Europe’s leading stages.
Benedict Kearns is a British chorus master and conductor who has served as Chorus Master of the Opéra National de Lyon since 2022. He studied at King’s College, Cambridge, where he also sang as a baritone in the Choir of King’s College. As a conductor, pianist and singer, he has toured extensively throughout Europe and beyond. He works closely with Daniele Rustioni, Music Director Emeritus of the Opéra de Lyon, serving as his assistant on a number of productions. He has also conducted the artistic forces of the Opéra de Lyon in the production of Billy Budd, staged in March–April 2026, as well as in various concerts over recent seasons.
Apply
REGISTRATION OPENS
Monday, September 21, 2026
REGISTRATION CLOSES
Monday, October 26, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CET)
SELECTION
1. Preliminary screening based on application materials:
> Biography / Resume and photo
> 2 videos or audio recordings
The results of the preliminary screening will be announced no later than 15 days before the audition.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
2. Final selection based on an audition (Paris):
> Audition program:
- 1 aria from the classical period in Italian (opera or aria)
- 1 sight-reading piece
- Opera chorus parts performed as a quartet — prepared piece
The sheet music for the prepared chorus piece will be provided no later than 15 days before the audition.
AUDITION DATES
— PARIS | 16 and 17 November 2026
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION
APPLICATION FEE: €60
There is no age limit for applicants. Certified by AFNOR for “Professional Equality and Diversity,” the Festival is committed to equal opportunity and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, in the spirit of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Candidates with diverse artistic and interdisciplinary backgrounds.
If financial difficulties prevent you from attending the auditions, please contact us at: academie@festival-aix.com
Registration fees are non-refundable.
CONTRACTUAL TERMS
— Participation agreement covering the entire duration of the residency, including participation in the activities of the Passerelles cultural affairs department and the “Aix en juin” program
— Monthly compensation (collective bargaining agreement) for participation in productions
EXPENSE COVERAGE
Expenses related to housing and travel** are covered by the Festival d’Aix in line with the Festival's current policies.
The residency involves travel to various locations at varying distances from Aix-en-Provence, and all such trips are covered by the Festival.
** Travel expenses will be reimbursed upon presentation of proof of purchase of a return, second-class air or train ticket between the artist's place of residence and Aix-en-Provence or Marseille. Reimbursement limits by geographical area: €100 (PACA region), €250 (whole of France), €500 (Europe/Mediterranean), €1,000 (outside Europe and the Mediterranean).
Any questions? Contact us: academie@festival-aix.com
