OPERA LAB 2026 Application CLOSED

Cultureland Opera Lab is an intensive 8-week collaborative workshop for composers and writers interested in creating a new opera. This year's theme “Threads of Becoming” explores the evolving experiences of womanhood.  

Open to composers and writers of all ages, backgrounds, identities, nationalities and career stages, the Opera Lab brings together music, poetry, and storytelling through a collaborative creative process.  

Workshop Format: Hybrid (online and in person) • Duration: 8 weeks (October–December 2026) • One session per week.

Workshop outcome: 

• Understand the collaborative process between librettist and composer.
• Create a complete opera concept.
• Develop an effective synopsis and dramatic structure.
• Learn fundamentals of opera dramaturgy.
• Understand voice types and writing for singers.
• Compose/write one complete operatic scene.
• Receive professional feedback from established opera artists.
• Hear their work performed by professional musicians.
• Leave with a portfolio-quality recording.

Detail  Schedule: 

•  Week 1 – Friday, October 16, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST    Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Orientation, introductions, team matching, creating an opera story and synopsis 
• Week 2 – Friday, October 23, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST    Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Synopsis presentations, dramatic structure, opera planning 
• Week 3 – Friday, October 30, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST     Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Guest Artist Workshop – Opera dramaturgy and collaborative feedback 
• Week 4 – Friday, November 6, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST    Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Scene presentations and guest artist feedback 
• Week 5 – Friday, November 13, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST     Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Composing for opera, writing for voices, composer workshop 
• Week 6 – Friday, November 27, 2026 : 12:00–2:00 PM EST     Online (Zoom) 
  • Focus: Composition feedback, score preparation, and final coaching 
• Week 7 – Friday, December 4, 2026 : 12:00–6:00 PM EST  Location: Canadian Music Centre (CMC), Toronto 
  • Focus: In-person professional music reading and feedback session 
• Week 8 – December 18, 2026 : Time: To Be Announced   Location: Canadian Music Centre (CMC), Toronto 
  • Focus: Final rehearsals, public performance, and professional audio recording

Eligible applicants  must be composers or writers interested in collaborative storytelling, opera creation, and intercultural artistic practice. Participants must be available to attend all workshop sessions and complete composition of a  5-7 minute operatic scene for voice(s) and piano for the final performance and recording. 

Application Deadline:  September 20, 2026

Selected applicants will be contacted by October 1st, 2026.