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Auditions: The Pirates of Penzance

 

 

 Singers and Collaborative Pianists
Opera Together 2026: The Pirates of Penzance

San Francisco Opera Guild is seeking qualified professional opera singers and collaborative pianists for its Fall 2026 Opera Together production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with musical direction by Paul Dab and stage direction by Nicolas A. Garcia. This 45-minute adaptation features three professional singers, a collaborative pianist, and students from each school in smaller spoken and choral roles. We are looking for professional-quality opera singers with excellent English diction and the personality to work effectively with school children. All roles will be quadruple-cast.

Seeking: 

  • Mabel: Soprano range
  • Frederic: Tenor range
  • The Pirate King: Bass/Baritone range
  • Collaborative pianists: Strong ensemble skills required

All applicants must be available for daytime performances (Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm) during the entire contracted period. Aritst must provide their own housing and transportation to schools throughout the greater Bay Area, and must be eligible to work in the United States.

Dates:

  • Auditions: Mondays, May 18 and  June 1 (9am to 3pm) by invitation only
  • Workshop: Monday, July 13 (2pm-5pm) by invitation only
  • Coaching (Individual/Ensemble): August 24 - September 4
  • Staging Rehearsals: September 8 - September 25 (Tuesday-Friday, 10am to 2pm)
  • School Dress Rehearsal: Thursday, September 24 at 10am
  • Meet the Artists Recital: Monday, September 28 (5pm - 7pm)
  • School Performances: September 29 -  December 11

Compensation:  All artists are contracted as part-time short-term employees

  • Coaching/Rehearsals: $35/hour
  • Team Teaching/Student Rehearsals: $76/hour
  • Performance: $115/hour (per show)
  • Travel: 72.5 cents/mile for all travel to/from performances plus toll reimbursement
  • Parking: $10 per day for rehearsal

Audition Requirements

MABEL: (Soprano range)
1. "Yes, 'tis Mabel...Poor wand'ring one" with cadenza (Eb optional) 
2. "Ah leave me not to pine" 

FREDERIC: (Tenor range)
1. "Oh is there not one maiden breast" 
2. "Away, away, ere I expire" 

THE PIRATE KING: (Bass-Baritone)
1. "Oh, better far to live and die" 
2. "When you had left our pirate fold" 
3. "A rollicking band of pirates we"

Please prepare the required selections for your role choice. An accompanist will be provided. You may hold music if necessary, although a memorized audition is preferred. Please have an additional aria in English. You may be asked to read dialogue from the script.

COLLABORATIVE PIANISTS:
Prepare all the above audition excerpts and one additional aria of your choice.                                  

TO APPLY:

San Francisco Opera Guild is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages non-traditional casting. Please select the role that fits you best.

Complete Application Form:   APPLY NOW

More program information:  OPERA TOGETHER

Please apply by May 15, 2026. All applications will be reviewed and if selected, you will be contacted to set up an audition appointment and given a link to specific audition materials. For further information email guildeducation@sfopera.com. No phone calls please.