LORIN MAAZEL
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DIETLINDE MAAZEL
ASSOC. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
NANCY GUSTAFSON GENERAL MANAGER
CATS in La Fanciulla del West, 2013. Credit: Ray Boc
Maestro Maazel and CATS with Dame Helen Mirren and Jeremy Irons, 2011
C ASTLETON A RTISTS T RAINING S EMINAR
Taught by a prestigious international faculty, students in the Seminar are offered a range of classes and coachings encompassing opera and song literature, vocal technique and interpretation, acting and movement for the stage, Alexander Technique, Stage Combat, languages (German and Italian) and career preparation. College credit is available for participation in the CATS seminar.
comments from our faculty CATS in Otello, 2013
“It was really exceptional. As each young artist came through the door my mouth just dropped at the beauty of their sound and also them.
The Castleton Artists Training Seminar is a program for advanced voice students which runs parallel with the Castleton Festival. Based at the 600 acre farm estate of Maestro Lorin Maazel in rural Rappahannock County, Virginia, the Festival and Seminar will be celebrating their sixth season in 2014. Seminar participants will perform in the chorus and sing comprimario roles in the Festival’s new productions conducted by Maestro Maazel as well as in Opera Scenes with orchestra. Castleton is committed to engaging CATS alumni in future seasons as soloists in its productions.
They came with their beautiful smile and I could see and feel their eagerness, discipline, willingness, energy, excitement, hopes and dreams. They covered me in music and it felt as if they were cleaning my tired and heavy heart from years of what life does to us all. They blessed my very existence and anointed my life with the sheer beauty of their music making as it washed over me. They broke my heart into pieces one after the other and it was a privilege and honor to sit in the presence of so much glory and beauty and encourage them on their paths. Thank you for this unforgettable gift. How lucky we all are to do what we do and how tremendous a return.” - Denyce Graves
“CATS has been one of the best experiences of my singing career. The opportunity to work with countless masters of their art, from Maestro Maazel to so many master coaches and teachers, is unbelievable. Not only is the opportunity and the support so vibrant, but it all takes place in one of the most beautiful and peaceful environments I’ve ever been to. The Castleton Festival is simply a very special place.”
“The CATS program was a real jumping off point for my career. I have done so many things with Maestro Maazel and because of Maestro Maazel that I am very grateful to the CATS program. They have taken me to perform in different countries and I have decided to audition for things that I never would have because of what I learned. It has made me more confident in my abilities and more confident to advance my career.”
- Davone Tines, bass-baritone
- Megan Gillespie, mezzo-soprano
Larkens and Billy Jackrabbit Girl of the Golden West Un ufficiale - 2012 Barber of Seville
Emelia - Otello Wowkle - Girl of the Golden West Petra - A Little Night Music
“...where else can they learn from the undisputed best?” (Gramophone Magazine) “The Castleton Festival is an opportunity to be a part of world class productions, be surrounded by some of the finest professionals and voices in the world, but all the while having the comfort of being at home. I had never experienced a training program with the kind of personalized nurturing that Castleton doles out so lovingly. This breed of work breaks down walls we create as performers, and births artists that are the industry standard time and time again. I am proud to call myself a part of the Castleton family! ”
“What makes Castleton so unique in the young artist field is the marriage between education and performance. Here we have the opportunity to explore languages, acting, posture, digital marketing, and stagecraft. Additionally, at the invitation of Maestro Maazel, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to make my European debut in La Fanciulla del West at the Palacio de la Opera in Spain. For Maestro to make such a gesture, to show such belief in my talent and support for my young career is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. ”
- Andy McCullough, tenor
- Jesse Malgieri, bass-baritone
Soloist, Benjamin Britten’s Les Illuminations Harry - Girl of the Golden West Un Notaio - Barber of Seville Count Carl-Magnus Malcom A Little Night Music
Happy - Girl of the Golden West
2014 CATS FACULTY INCLUDES Ron Browning
Karen Brunssen
Eduardo Chama
Richard Leech
Dietlinde Turban Maazel Marlena Malas
CLASSES OFFERED Voice Lessons 45 minutes weekly - with opera stars and voice faculty including Denyce Graves, James Morris, Carol Vaness, Karen Brunssen, Stanford Olson, Eduardo Chama and Kurt Hansen.
Vocal Coaching Weekly - with renowned coaches including Bénédicte Jourdois and Miloš Repický.
Master Classes with Marlena Malas Internationally renowned recitalist, Chair of the Voice Department at the Chautauqua Institution, faculty member of the Curtis Institute, Juilliard and Manhattan Schools of Music, Marlena Malas will hold Master Classes as well as individual sessions.
Musical Comedy / Jazz / Folk Coaching Individual sessions with Nashville’s famous cross-over coach Ron Browning.
Performance Enhancement Daniela Costa
Brian Dickie
Denyce Graves
James Morris
Stanford Olsen
Miloš Repický
Acting Techniques, Improvisation, Monologue & Dialogue studies, Character Development and Role Preparation with award-winning actress Dietlinde Turban Maazel.
Movement A series of classes will be held throughout the program designed to enhance awareness and transparency of the body through BALLET, YOGA, ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE and STAGE COMBAT.
German Lieder and Italian Song Daily classes focus on in-depth immersion into language, content, historical background, musical interpretation, stylistic approaches and performance aspects of this rich European repertoire.
Intensive Language Studies Native speakers Dietlinde Turban Maazel and Daniela Costa offer beginner and advanced courses in German and Italian focusing on grammar and diction.
Kurt Hansen
Carol Vaness
Career Preparation
Bénédicte Jourdois
Rosa Vento
Digital Marketing Class
Former General Director of the Glyndebourne Festival, the Canadian Opera Company and the Chicago Opera Theater, currently the Head of Auditions for the international competition Neue Stimmen, Bertelsman, Brian Dickie, offers Master Classes and individual guidance with regard to audition techniques, repertoire choices and career management. Justin Kulovsek and Maestro Maazel’s web team guide students in creating and maintaining their presence on the web through various media.
Otello cast with Maestro Maazel and CATS, 2013
ADOPT A Make a difference in the life of a young singer! Actual cost to the Castleton Festival for tuition, room and board per singer is $7,000. An average of 60% of CATS are on scholarship. Adopt a CAT or Honor a loved one with a scholarship in his/her name.
To Adopt a CAT or create a Scholarship fund, contact: Nancy Gustafson - Castleton Festival General Manager Direct: (202) 721-0020 Email: nancyg@castletonfestival.org
Castleton Festival DC Offices: 2300 N Street NW Suite 5254 Washington, DC 20037 Phone: +1-202-721-0020 www.castletonfestival.org
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Cedar Hill Foundation