Applications have opened for a unique training opportunity with world-famous opera star and conductor José Cura, presented by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO).

Young professionals or advanced opera students are invited to apply for this chance to work closely with Cura during a week-long series of insightful masterclasses, focusing on a French and Italian operatic repertoire.

The course will delve into skills concerning interpretation, interaction and communication with the orchestra and conductor. A unique element of the course will also be the involvement of the MPO, giving participants the chance to widen their knowledge of performing with an esteemed, professional orchestra.

Following the selection process, active participants will delve into a week of masterclasses and rehearsals with Maestro Cura between 25 and 29 October, followed by a closing concert open for the public on 30 October.

As a tenor, Cura is known for his unconventional and innovative concert performances in some of the most prestigious theatres. He has also led top orchestras such as the London Symphony and Vienna Philharmonic, among others, for over 20 years in his colourful career as a conductor.

Under his direction, the MPO recently performed in Grand Finale, a star-studded audio-visual online production featuring world-acclaimed soprano Diana Damrau, which reached over  one million people online.

Musicians of any discipline as well as generally interested observers can join the masterclass as passive participants.

Applications for active participants will be accepted until Friday, 17 September. For further information, kindly access the Mastering the Voice information pack available online.

For more details visit: www.maltaorchestra.com