Please read the following guidelines carefully before beginning your application to the Academy’s Atelier Lyrique and before sending any questions to the Verbier Festival Team.
THE LANGUAGE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS ENGLISH. IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE ENGLISH VERSION SHALL PREVAIL.
WHO MAY APPLY
PROGRAMME DATES
HOW TO APPLY
APPLICATION FEE
LIVE AUDITION EXPENSES
COSTS FOR SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
REFUND POLICY
AUDITION REPERTOIRE
AUDITION VIDEO
LIVE AUDITIONS
FAQ
CONTACT
who may apply
Applicants to the Atelier Lyrique must be singers aged 20 to 32 on 1 July 2027.
Singers may take part in the Verbier Festival Academy only twice.
programme dates
Successful candidates are required to sign an agreement with the Fondation du Verbier Festival committing to the entire Atelier Lyrique summer session from 11 July to 2 August 2027.
how to apply
Applications to the Atelier Lyrique are accepted through the getAcceptd on-line platform. Google Chrome is recommended as browser for use with the platform.
download chromeCandidates are first screened by application and video audition. Most of those selected from this first screening will then be asked to perform a live audition. The 2027 Atelier Lyrique live auditions are tentatively planned to take place in London (1 3 November 2026), Berlin (16 December 2026), and New York (23 24 January 2027).
THE LANGUAGE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS ENGLISH. IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE ENGLISH VERSION SHALL PREVAIL.
Application Deadline: 15 October 2026 (23:59 EDT)
Candidates will be notified of pre-screening decisions by 24 October 2026. Final acceptance/casting decisions will be communicated no later than 31 January 2027. Those who have been accepted to the Atelier Lyrique will have until 5 February 2027 (7:00 PM EST) to communicate a decision to accept or decline the offer.
All candidates must provide:
- Contact information (name, address, etc.)
- Application information
- Date of birth, nationality, etc.
- Voice
- School history
- CV describing academic, professional and other relevant experience
- Documentation
- Photo/headshot (landscape orientation)
- Passport/ID
- You as an Artist
- A short biography (150 words maximum, in English or French)
- Personal introduction video: describe one of your most significant musical experiences. Please introduce yourself in English to the best of your ability. The video should not exceed approximately 3 minutes.
- Your ideal Lied / song recital: imagine you have carte blanche to give a one-hour recital at Wigmore Hall, or another major recital hall of your choice. What programme would you propose? State the chosen venue and provide the full programme for your recital.
- Experience in audience development (e.g. outreach activities or projects aimed at reaching new audiences for classical music); if you have no experience in this area, please leave this question blank.
- Uploads / Audition
- Unedited videos of live performances (see repertoire requirements; a separate video must be uploaded for each requirement)
- Contact information for at least one reference who can recommend your application
- Application fee payment (credit card only)
Optional recommendations
Candidates may invite up to two people to submit a letter of recommendation in support of their application. Recommendations are optional and your application will be considered complete even without a letter of recommendation.
To request a recommendation, enter the chosen person’s email address in your application. Acceptd will send them the necessary instructions to submit their letter only after your application has been submitted.
Recommendations provide supplementary information only. The jury’s evaluation is based primarily on the elements you submit yourself, including your audition recordings, CV, education, professional experience, and achievements.
If you wish for a recommendation to be considered, we strongly encourage you to submit your application well before the deadline and to contact the person concerned in advance. The evaluation process begins immediately after the application deadline and we cannot guarantee that recommendations received after this date will be taken into account.
application fee
All candidates must provide a non-refundable application fee of EUR 75. This fee is payable by credit card only through the getAcceptd application platform.
Thanks to the support of the Loterie Romande, candidates meeting the following criteria are exempt from application fees:
- Swiss citizens born or residing in the cantons of Geneva, Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Valais or Vaud
To benefit from this exemption, please send proof of eligibility (copy of your passport or Swiss ID card and a document attesting to your place of birth or canton of residence) to academy@verbierfestival.com. The exemption request must be made before submitting your application. No exemption will be granted after the application has been sent.
live audition expenses
Candidates are responsible for their own live audition expenses (travel, accommodation, etc.).
costs for successful applicants
All singers accepted to the Atelier Lyrique receive a scholarship covering all tuition fees, free accommodation in Verbier, daily lunch, and tickets to Festival concerts (subject to availability). Singers are responsible for their own travel costs to and from Verbier, as well as all other meals and personal expenses.
refund policy
Application fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.
audition repertoire
The 2027 Atelier Lyrique will place a particular emphasis on German repertoire, both in opera and Lied. Candidates are therefore invited to demonstrate their aptitude for this repertoire as part of the audition process.
All candidates must submit four separate video recordings:
1. Das Rheingold / German Opera
One aria or substantial solo excerpt from Wagner’s Das Rheingold corresponding to the role for which you wish to be considered.
If the role does not contain a suitable standalone solo excerpt, please submit a German-language opera aria of similar vocal and stylistic character.
Please clearly name the video file indicating the composer, work, and role or aria/excerpt.
2. Bel Canto Aria
A bel canto aria of your choice.
3. German Lied
A German Lied of your choice.
4. Lied / Song
One art song in the language of your choice.
Singers invited to a live audition may perform the same repertoire as that submitted in their video application.
audition video
Please read ALL the following instructions before beginning your application or recording your audition videos:
- You will find tips for making a high-quality audition video here.
- Please note that you must upload four separate video files corresponding to the requirements indicated in the Audition Repertoire section.
- Each performance must be recorded in a single take, without interruption or audio editing. Camera angle changes are permitted, provided the musical performance is continuous and complete, without any cuts.
- Consider the size and acoustics of the room as well as your distance from the camera: the more reverberant the room, the closer you should stand to the camera (generally about 3 metres).
- The use of artificial reverb or any other audio modification in post-production (editing, splicing, etc.) is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
- Watch and listen to your recordings to ensure they accurately represent what you wish to present to the jury.
- Attach your videos to your application by uploading the video files (accepted formats: MP4, MPEG, MPG, MOV, AVI, WMV, M4V, FLV, WEBM, MKV, M2V).
- Once your application is submitted and the application fee paid, you will no longer be able to return to your profile to add a video.
live auditions
Candidates will be notified by 24 October 2026 if they are invited to a live audition.
Important: audition cities, dates, and venues are subject to change. Please do not book your travel or accommodation until you have received confirmation of your audition.
Each live audition will take place before a jury of at least two people. Singers may bring their own collaborative pianist; otherwise, a pianist will be provided.
Auditions are tentatively planned in the following cities and dates (subject to change depending on the successful candidates):
London: 1 and 3 November 2026
Berlin: 16 December 2026
New York: 23 and 24 January 2027
If none of these cities or dates are possible for a candidate, the Academy will do its best to find another opportunity to hear them in person. If this proves impossible, the evaluation will be based on the videos submitted with the application.
faq
Q: I will be under 20 or over 32 on 1 July 2027. Can I still apply?
As a general rule, the Academy does not accept applications from singers who do not meet the stated age criteria.
Q: If I am invited to a live audition, when will it take place?
If we invite you to a live audition, we will do our best to accommodate your availability.
Q: Is the sound quality of the application videos really important?
Yes. Sound quality is very important for the evaluation of your video audition. Please refer to the Audition Video section above.
Q: Can my CV be written in a language other than English?
Yes. We accept CVs in English, French, German, and Italian.
Q: When and how will I be informed of my audition results?
Candidates will be notified of pre-screening decisions by 24 October 2026. Final acceptance/casting decisions will be communicated no later than 31 January 2027. Those who have been accepted to the Atelier Lyrique will have until 5 February 2027 (7:00 PM EST) to communicate a decision to accept or decline the offer.