Master of Music (Opera Performance)

Important! Please make sure you have read the How to Apply information for this course prior to reading the audition requirements below.

Audition Dates

2027 Start Year Intake

International applicants:

Main round - Individual auditions will take place after applications close in May.

Late round - Auditions will take place in November.

Domestic applicants:

Main round - Auditions will take place in November.

Audition requirements

Singer applicants should prepare and submit a recorded audition program up to 25 minutes in length, of 5 works including:

  • three arias, one of which must be in Italian
  • two songs, one of which must be in English

Repetiteur applicants should prepare an audition program of one solo piano piece or movement of a work (own choice) and the following operatic excerpts:

  • Mozart - 2 passages from Don Giovanni Act 2 Finale (No. 24)1. "Gia la mensa preparata" - "Piatto! Servo!"2. "Da qual tremore insolito" - "Ah! dov'è il perfido?""
  • Bizet - Carmen, Act 2 Finale (No. 18). Schirmer, pages 213 - 236

The applicant should play and to sing any of the vocal lines in Italian (Mozart) and French (Bizet) while playing the score. The audition panel would like to hear a full selection of the prepared repertoire.

Repetiteur applicants are advised to email the program coordinator, Professor Jane Davidson j.davidson@unimelb.edu.au, so that specific recommendations can be made on the preparation of these materials.

All applicants, please note:

  • Each aria, song or piano piece must be recorded in one take. The constituent items of the audition submission can be recorded on separate occasions, but the individual pieces within the submission need to be recorded in an unedited video format.
  • If the video file exceeds 250MB, it must be uploaded it to a video platform such as YouTube or Vimeo and submit the URL link.
  • Ensure that the video submitted is not private or password-protected.
  • Recordings must be made no earlier than 6 months before the application deadline.

The University of Melbourne and the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all participants, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive, or psychological abilities. Please contact the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music in advance if you require any assistance submitting your application.

How will I be assessed?

Applicants' audition will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Accuracy and control of music and text, consistency of singing/playing, fluency
  • Sense of understanding of music and/or text for dramatic shape, style, mood and character
  • Confidence in communication

Applicants' interview will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • Accuracy and fluency of the spoken recitation task; and
  • Capacity to engage in responses to questions on the requirements and challenges of postgraduate studies in opera.

Please note that all applicants will be ranked based on the above criteria, up to the capacity of places within the course.