The ROH’s Youth Opera programmes provide children aged 7 to 13 with rigorous music and drama training, creative projects and the chance to perform in world leading opera productions with the Royal Opera. 

ROH Youth Opera is divided into two strands:

ROH Young Voices (Ages 7-8)

ROH Young Voices is a singing programme for 7-8 year olds, developing participants' vocal control, musical literacy and performing skills. As well as performing at concerts and other ROH events, participants receive gain a grounding in the skills required to progress into our older ensemble, the ROH Youth Opera Company.  

ROH Youth Opera Company (Ages 9-13)

ROH Youth Opera Company is our in house chorus of 9 to 13 year olds. We offer participants all round training in the performing arts, covering vocal technique, language coaching, acting and stage craft, musical literacy, and creative processes for developing new work. The ROH YOC also has the opportunity to audition for the children’s chorus in one Royal Opera Company production per season.

We hold annual audition workshops at the Royal Opera House for all children aged 7-11 who are state school educated, with a passion for singing and performing.

ROH Youth Opera Auditions 22nd and 23rd July 2023  

We welcome applications from all enthusiastic young singers and performers aged 7 to 11 years old. We encourage applicants from young people of all backgrounds, especially those who are from a global majority background. The recruitment process and the programme is inclusive and accessible, and we invite applicants to contact us with any queries or requests for reasonable adjustments.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:  

• good vocal control
• a passion for and commitment to singing
• an interest in drama and performing skills
• the ability to collaborate well with others and follow direction.

Application

Applications for the 2023/24 academic year have now closed. You can sign up to our mailing list to receive information about auditions and future opportunities.

 The Audition

Successful applicants will be invited to a one-hour audition workshop at the Royal Opera House on Saturday 22 July 2023. Approximately 120 children will be invited to participate in the first audition workshop. Those who have been successful in the first round will be invited to a call-back audition on Sunday 23 July 2023. Groups will be split into 30 children per audition. Two Royal Opera House artists will run music- and drama-based games and will lead singing activities. We aim for our audition workshops to be fun, friendly, and relaxed, and regardless of the outcome, educational and enjoyable for all.  

Applications are now closed for 2023. You can find out about future auditions by signing up to our mailing list.

The Watchers in the Wings

Our first digital opera made by young people for young people

The Royal Opera House’s Youth Opera Company is proud to present a newly commissioned four-minute opera by successful children’s author Steven Butler and award-winning composer John Barber.

Starring 47 children aged between nine and 13 years old, performing alongside British Tenor Paul Curievici, this opera, filmed on location at the Royal Opera House, tells the story of a group of schoolchildren who find themselves whisked away on an adventure through the building, with a little help from a mysterious and enigmatic Tour Guide.

This commission aims to reach the hearts of a younger audiences and showcase the versatility of the art form through a vibrant, lively performance on a digital platform.

The Youth Opera Company is supported by Yvonne and Bjarne Rieber and The Peters Family Foundation Cio