Opera Fuoco

This Paris-based opera company is dedicated to lyric repertoire from the mid-18th century to the present. Founded and directed by American conductor David Stern, it combines an ambitious young artists program and a versatile instrumental ensemble. Opera Fuoco has been in existence since 2003 initially as a top-level period instrument ensemble and later as an internationally recognized young artist troupe. David Stern, Katharina Wolff and the Fuoco team have developed a multi-faceted program to develop young vocal talent at a professional level. Opera Fuoco offers a unique, custom-made experience to young singers transitioning from conservatory to professional life. Singers are able to work with Maestro Stern, experienced vocal coaches and stage directors in various contexts ranging from masterclasses and recitals to large-scale performances with orchestra and fully staged opera productions. The repertoire spans not only several centuries but a variety of genres, from baroque to contemporary, including musical comedy and jazz. Opera Fuoco has shaped its young artist program not as an academy but as a professional company for young singers engaged for a period of three to four years. In its 13 years of existence, Opera Fuoco's Young Artist Program has trained approximately 50 singers from 15 different countries. Our 15 current members come from 5 different countries, and candidates from the last round of auditions represented 34 nationalities. Opera Fuoco's activities are largely Paris-area based, with masterclasses held in prestigious spaces such as the Petit Palais and regular concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées. The company has also enhanced its international reputation by developing regular performance partnerships with the Bachfest in Leipzig, the Beethovenfest in Bonn, the International Telemann Festival, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra as well as the Shanghai Baroque and Beijing Music Festivals in China.