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New Date: July 16th - August 7th, 2010
TOP is an intensive training program located in Maurach, Austria on Lake Achen (Achensee), in the beautiful Tyrolean Alps. TOP provides a unique opportunity for singers and pianists to receive training in classical opera in the birthplace of the art form – the heart of Europe. By combining education in the art, history and culture of opera with training in voice, dance, acting and performance, TOP participants graduate with enhanced skills for their operatic careers. Our staff of internationally recognized professionals will share their experiences and help you to hone your skills in voice, acting, movement, and dance as well as in speaking the German language. Pianists work with conductors and senior coaches from Milan, Munich and Berlin, while adding to their knowledge of the operatic repertoire. American and Austrian singers live and study together, exchanging views and practicing each other’s language.
TOP is dedicated to training the whole performer. How do you climb the stairs gracefully in a hoopskirt? How do you sit while wearing a sword? Emphasis is placed on the practical skills involved in addressing these challenges. Workshops in career management and life skills help participants prepare for life as a freelancer. For only when all these things are integrated can one create Art.
This was TOP Opera 2009...
Since its founding in 2005, TOP has brought 80 singers, 22 full-time faculty and 25 guest teachers to the Achensee region. And our audience has grown from a smattering of attendees at our first concerts to overflow crowds at this year's final concert. We are particularly proud of the faithful fans who attend each concert.
The TOP performers got a wide variety of experiences in two short weeks. The Opening Event at the Hotel Alpenrose was soon
 followed by a concert in Achenkirch. The singers performed before a background of paintings by Achensee artist Heidi Holleis. Heidi worked with us on the final concert last year. She was so interested that this year she created a whole cycle of paintings inspired by operatic themes. (John Paul Putney in Achenkirch)
A week later, the church in Pertisau rang with song. TOP's faithful fans were impressed by how much the singers had improved since the first concert.
The highlight of the first week was certainly the concert in the Achenseebahn's Locomotive garage. In Maurach, performers and public alike climbed aboard the steam train for a special trip down to the train station. It was such an exciting evening -- not even the freight trains rumbling past disturbed the music.
This might have been the world's first "Train Concert" but it certainly won't be the last!
The view from the train
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