Following auditions on Sunday, four Bermuda singers will be given a golden opportunity to benefit from a two-hour voice master-class to be conducted by visiting Bermuda Festival artists, Opera a la Carte.

The master-class will take place at City Hall on Monday, February 5, at 6 p.m. when four successful participants will join members of Opera a la Carte, including director Nick Heath, and Susanna Stranders, who worked as a member of the music staff of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Each participant will be given 20 minutes of individual attention and then, if practical with the voices chosen, they may be directed in a short scene. ?This is a rare and exciting opportunity, particularly for those pursuing classical voice training, to learn from opera singers who have performed at Covent Garden and other major world opera houses. The focus will mainly be on interpretation and performance,? Bermuda Festival artistic director Karen Pollard said.

The fortunate four will be chosen by audition at City Hall on Sunday. Singers wishing to be considered for the master-class must complete an application form, and include a curriculum vitae and an Mp3 (or other form of recording) of their singing voice.

They must also be over age 16. All applicants should prepare a repertoire of two pieces, either of which may be heard. The repertoire should be drawn from opera, operetta, song (lieder or art song) or folk song arrangement. A piano score of each piece must be supplied in the key in which it will be sung. For further information and application forms please contact Mrs. Pollard at 295-1291, fax 295-7403 or e-mail: bdafestlogic.bm

Sunday?s auditions will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Up to 24 applicants will be heard, from which four will be selected for the master-class.

The public is invited to attend Monday?s master-class to observe the fascinating process by which operas are put together and singers trained. Tickets ($5) can be purchased from websites www.bermudafestival.org, www.boxoffice.bm and at the door. Those who auditioned unsuccessfully on Sunday will be admitted free.

Opera a la Carte will present a modern version of Puccini?s opera, ?La Boh?me?, from February 8-10 at City Hall.