MELBA OPERA TRUST

Master of Opera Program

In Melbourne, there are several undergraduate courses for our budding opera stars to undertake. However at the crucial point of concluding their undergraduate studies, when most young voices still require maturing before being ready for the stage, their academic prospects reduce dramatically.

In recognizing a strong need and sharing a vision to provide quality postgraduate training for Australia’s young singers, the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust and the University of Melbourne have joined forces to establish a specialised Master of Opera program set to commence in 2012. The Trust will provide full scholarships in the new course, thereby ensuring that all worthy candidates will have access to this world-class training regardless of their financial situation.

The program is expected to attain international standing and aims to establish Victoria as the peak centre for operatic training in the Asia-Pacific region. Students will also benefit substantially from regular periods of placement with Victorian Opera in addition to their formal post-graduate studies.

At the Launch of the Trust in July 2008, Vice-Chancellor of Melbourne University, Professor Glyn Davis AC acknowledged the important alliance of the Trust and the University “We are delighted the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust has decided to support scholarships for gifted students to attend a new course in graduate opera training at our University. The University and the Melba Trust together will deliver a program which will greatly enhance the opera training currently available in Australia.”

Planning for the course is still in its infancy, however the program is currently proposed as a two year Masters course, with an intake of no more than 10 students per year and a maximum of 20 students completing the program at any one time. The program is likely to be strongly performance based and practical work experience with Victorian Opera is a pivotal feature.

The course will be run from the University’s Southbank campus, where the Faculty of the VCA is currently located.

The Trust and the University of Melbourne share a strong rapport which will allow the Trust to be in regular consultation with the University on key matters such as course development, audition processes, student selection processes and so on.

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