


MIKULSKIART FOUNDATION OPERA ACADEMY
Feel the magic of opera!
November 10-16, 2024
Municipal Cultural Center in Pabianice
Do you dream of standing on the opera stage and enchanting the audience with your voice? Or maybe you want to improve your vocal workshop and explore the secrets of interpretation under the guidance of masters?

Masterclass 2024
Concert 2024
Unique opportunity for you!
Immerse yourself in the world of Mozart’s opera!





During an intensive week at the Municipal Cultural Center in Pabianice, under the guidance of world-renowned educators – Caroline Isabel Merz and Tomasz Janczak – you will immerse yourself in the world of Mozart’s opera masterpieces. “The Marriage of Figaro”, “Don Giovanni”, “Cosi fan tutte”, “The Magic Flute” – these works will become your vocal training ground.
Artists
Caroline Isabel Merz, as a soloist, has collaborated for decades with the world's most outstanding directors, conductors and stage partners. Her roles include: Pamina, Contessa, Donna Anna, Fiordiligi, Konstancja, Queen of the Night, First Lady, Violetta, Mimi, Lucia, Leonora, Frau Fluth, Micaela, Norina, Adina, Rosina, Rosalinde, Reagan, Manon. She has also performed many contemporary music pieces. In addition, her work includes a large repertoire of songs - in particular: Strauss, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Mussorgsky, Copeland, Barber, Rossini, Verdi and Brahms. For a decade, Caroline Merz has been involved in pedagogical activities - thanks to her knowledge and experience, she is a valued lecturer at countless master vocal courses in Europe, the USA, Japan and China.
Tomasz Janczak graduated from the Academy of Music in Wrocław in 1995. In 1996-2004, he was the first tenor at the Wrocław Operetta, and then at the Musical Theater in Lublin (2004-2014), where he performed the main tenor parts in operas such as "Carmen", "The Haunted Manor" or "Traviata". He has given concerts in many countries in Europe and around the world, including the USA and Canada. In addition to his vocal career, he developed as a director and cultural manager. In 2011, he obtained the title of theater director, and in 2013, a doctorate in musical arts. In Lublin, he initiated opera superproductions "La Traviata" and "Nabucco". In 2009-2013, he was the artistic director of the Musical Theater in Lublin, and then the Sudecka Philharmonic in Wałbrzych (2014-2016), where he organized musical events with the participation of stars. In 2016-2023, as director of the Lower Silesian Philharmonic in Jelenia Góra, he created the Karkonosze Opera Festival, presenting outdoor opera performances for thousands of viewers. On his initiative, the Lower Silesian Philharmonic launched a series of online concerts "Philharmonic with home delivery" during the pandemic. Since 2023, he has been the director of the Wrocław Opera, where he carried out the first joint production with the Academy of Music in Wrocław and "Tosca" with Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna.





What will you gain?
- Technical excellence: Improve your vocal technique (voice emission, breathing, posture) under the guidance of experienced educators.
- Masterful interpretation: Discover the secrets of musical and dramatic interpretation of Mozart’s opera roles.
- Unique stage experience: Take part in three final concerts!
- Feel the magic of the stage of the Wrocław Opera, one of the most important opera houses in Poland. This is a unique opportunity to debut or perform again in a place where the history of Polish opera is created.
- Present your talent at the Municipal Cultural Center in Pabianice, where the workshops will be held. This is a great opportunity to perform in front of an audience that has been closely following your progress during the course.
- Shine on the stage of the House of Culture in Zelów, in an intimate atmosphere conducive to close contact with the audience.
- Knowledge and inspiration: Learn from the best! Caroline Isabel Merz, a soloist who has performed on the world’s biggest stages, and Tomasz Janczak, director of the Wrocław Opera, tenor, director and cultural manager, will share their rich experience with you.
- Exchange of experiences: Meet other singing enthusiasts, exchange experiences and inspire each other.
Opera – your dream within reach!
Performing at the Wrocław Opera is a unique opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a real opera stage. Working with Tomasz Janczak, the director of this institution, is a chance to gain valuable tips and contacts in the world of opera.
For whom?
For professional vocalists as well as students of music academies, students of music schools, professionals, singing teachers and vocal ensembles.
“Music is the language spoken by the soul” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Course languages
Polish, German, English, Italian, French, Russian
All classes are open
for participants and the audience
You will receive a certificate or diploma
(for passive participants and teachers).
”"Opera is the heart of vocal art"
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart would probably say if he lived in our times
Detailed Course Program
Sunday, November 10th, 2024
12:00-14:00: Course commencement, auditions with the participation of all active course participants (one aria, one song).
14:00: Lunch (provided by the Organizer).
15:00: Organizational meeting – discussion of the course plan, expectations and individual needs of participants, rules of participation, schedule of individual classes, availability of practice rooms.
16:00-18:30: Vocal exercises under the direction of Caroline Isabel Merz.
18:30: Online consultations with a singing teacher (for those interested, schedule arranged individually).
Monday – Wednesday, November 11th, 2024 – November 13th, 2024
9:00-10:00: Warm-up and group vocal exercises under the direction of Caroline Isabel Merz.
10:00-13:00: Individual vocal emission classes (also for online participants), focusing on the individual needs and challenges of each participant.
13:00-14:30: Lunch (provided by the Organizer).
14:30-19:00: Individual lessons with Caroline Isabel Merz, work on selected repertoire, interpretation, stylistic analysis, methodological workshops.
16:00-16:15: Break.
20:30-21:30: Acting exercises and coping with stage fright, phonetics of foreign languages, open discussions and exchange of experiences between participants.
Thursday, November 14th, 2024
8:00: Departure to the Wrocław Opera (gathering in front of the MOK in Pabianice).
11:00: Coffee, welcome at the Wrocław Opera. 11:30: Class with the Opera Director, Dr. Tomasz Janczak, lecture. 13:00: Lunch. 14:00-15:30: Workshop with the Opera Director, Dr. Tomasz Janczak, dress rehearsal before the concert.
16:00: Concert in the Opera hall.
18:00: Observation of the Don Giovanni opera rehearsal.
20:00: Return to Pabianice.
Friday, November 15th, 2024
9:00-10:00: Warm-up and group vocal exercises under the direction of Caroline Isabel Merz.
12:00-13:00: Vocal technique, individual consultations with Caroline Isabel Merz.
13:00-14:30: Lunch break. 14:30-17:00: Rehearsal for the final concert with the participation of all participants.
17:00-18:30: Dress rehearsal.
19:00: Final concert in the Concert Hall of the MOK in Pabianice. Presentation of the participants’ work to the audience. Official closing of the course, awarding of diplomas and certificates.
Saturday, November 16th, 2024
10:00-11:00: Warm-up, vocal exercises with Caroline Isabel Merz.
13:00: Travel to the Cultural Center in Zelów (gathering in front of the MOK in Pabianice).
14:30: Lunch.
15:00-17:00: Acoustic rehearsal.
18:00: Concert at the Cultural Center in Zelów. After the concert: Dinner in Zelów.
Remarks:
- The exact schedule of individual lessons will be determined on an ongoing basis, depending on the needs of the participants and the availability of Caroline Isabel Merz.
- The language of instruction for Caroline Isabel Merz will be primarily German, but if necessary, she will also communicate in English, Italian and French. The lecture by the Opera Director, Dr. Tomasz Janczak, will be held in Polish.
- All classes are open to the public, which creates an additional opportunity for learning and inspiration.
- The concert program will be developed during the course, taking into account the prepared repertoire and preferences of the participants.
- The organizers reserve the right to change the detailed course plan.
Join the MIKULSKIART FOUNDATION OPERA ACADEMY and feel the magic of opera! Do not hesitate!
Vocal Course Regulations
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§1. General Provisions
The organizer of the OPERA ACADEMY OF THE MIKULSKIART FOUNDATION course (hereinafter referred to as the “Course”) is the MikulskiART Foundation with its registered office in Dąbrowa, entered into the National Court Register under the number 0001008539, NIP 7312079446.The Course will be held from November 10-16, 2024 at the Zbigniew Herbert Municipal Cultural Center in Pabianice.The aim of the Course is to provide participants with the opportunity for intensive vocal development under the guidance of experienced educators.These regulations define the rules of participation in the Course.
§2. Participants
The Course is intended for:
- professional singers,
- singing teachers,
- music academy students,
- second-level music school students,
- vocal ensembles.
Course participants are divided into:
- Active participants – taking part in individual and group classes.
- Passive participants – observing the classes.
- Teachers – participating in methodological classes.
- Participants of all groups can participate in the course in stationary or online mode.
§3. Applications
Applications for the Course are accepted electronically – by completing the application form – until November 6, 2024.The application form is available on the MikulskiART Foundation website: www.mikulskiart.com in the “Projects” tab.The Organizer reserves the right to limit the number of participants.Admission to the Course is decided by the order of applications and meeting the requirements specified in §2.In the event of more applications than places, the order of applications decides about admission. In the case of online applications, for active participants, the date and time of receipt of the application decides about the order. For passive participants, the number of registrations is unlimited.
§4. Fees
The amount of fees for participation in the Course depends on the chosen form of participation (active, passive, teacher) and mode (stationary, online). Detailed information can be found on the organizer’s website in the application form.The fee should be paid at the time of submitting the application form. Confirmation of the transfer should be attached to the application form.Failure to pay the fee within 7 days from the date of application renders the application ineffective.The Organizer reserves the right to refund the fee in the event of cancellation of the Course for reasons beyond its control or in the event of the participant not being qualified for the Course.In case of resignation from participation in the Course, the fee is non-refundable.
Bank accounts:
PLN PL70 1140 2004 0000 3202 8334 8518
EUR PL55 1140 2004 0000 3812 1834 9536
BIC/SWIFT BREXPLPWMBK
PLN PL70 1140 2004 0000 3202 8334 8518
EUR PL55 1140 2004 0000 3812 1834 9536
BIC/SWIFT BREXPLPWMBK
§5. Course Program
The Course program includes individual and group classes in the field of:
- Vocal technique
- Musical interpretation
- Repertoire work
- Group scenes
- Methodology of teaching singing (for teachers)
The languages of instruction are: Polish, German, English, Italian, French.Open classes are for all Course participants. There is a possibility of participating in classes for the public with the consent of the organizer and after paying the fee specified by the organizer.The detailed schedule of classes will be provided to participants 7 days before the start of the Course.All classes during the course, as well as concerts, will be recorded audio-video and broadcast on the Internet in the form of webinars for registered participants. After the course, the recordings will be available for purchase in the form of paid courses. Course participants will have free access to them for a period of 6 months from the end of the Course.
§6. Concerts
The Course will end with concerts by participants on the following dates: November 14, 2024 at the Wrocław Opera, November 15, 2024 at the Z. Herbert Municipal Cultural Center in Pabianice and November 16, 2024 at the Cultural Center in Zelów.Participation in concerts is free of charge, intended only for active participants.Concert programs will be determined during the Course.The organizer provides transport to the concerts.
§7. Final Provisions
The Organizer reserves the right to change the Course program for reasons beyond its control.Participants are obliged to comply with these regulations and the instructions of the instructors.The Organizer is not responsible for the participants’ belongings left unattended.The Organizer is not liable for any random events occurring during the Course, including accidents and health problems of participants.All participants will receive diplomas or certificates of participation.Any matters not regulated by these regulations shall be settled by the Organizer.These regulations enter into force on October 2, 2024.
§8. Personal Data
The administrator of the personal data of the Course participants is the MikulskiART Foundation with its registered office in Dąbrowa.The personal data of participants will be processed for the purpose of organizing and conducting the Course, including for recruitment, communication with participants, issuing certificates/diplomas and for archival purposes.The legal basis for the processing of personal data is art. 6 clause 1 lit. b GDPR (processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is party or in order to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract) and art. 6 clause 1 lit. f GDPR (processing is necessary for the purposes resulting from legitimate interests pursued by the controller).The personal data of participants will be stored for the period necessary to achieve the purposes referred to in point 2, and after this period for the time during which the law requires data to be stored or for the period of limitation of any claims.Participants have the right to access their data and the right to rectify, erase, restrict processing, the right to data portability, the right to object, the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing based on consent before its withdrawal.Participants have the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory body – the President of the Office for Personal Data Protection.Providing personal data is voluntary, but necessary to participate in the Course.
§9. Image
By applying for the Course, the participant agrees to the publication in the media and social media of their image (photos, videos) and first and last name for information and promotional purposes related to the Course.The publication of the image and personal data referred to in point 1 may take the following forms:
- on the website of the MikulskiART Foundation,
- in the social media of the MikulskiART Foundation (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, etc.),
- in press and information materials regarding the Course,
- in publications promoting the Course.
Consent to the publication of the image and personal data is voluntary.
§10. Funding
The Course is co-financed by the European Union under the National Recovery Plan NextGenerationEU.All information and promotional materials concerning the Course, including publications, websites, presentations, must contain information about co-financing from the National Recovery Plan NextGenerationEU, in accordance with the program guidelines.Information and promotional materials should include the European Union logo and an appropriate statement about co-financing. Detailed rules regarding the use of the EU logo and information about co-financing are available on the program website.
§11. Contact
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Organizer:
MikulskiART Foundation
tel.: +48 507 222 558