Welcome to Bel Cantanti, an opera company within the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area devoted to giving performance experience to both seasoned and aspiring professionals. Between the beautiful singing and glorious music, you will find yourself thoroughly captivated.

"Bel Cantanti Opera continues to be one of the best kept musical secrets in the Washington area."

AllArtsreview4u

"The future of opera as fun rather than spectacle or museum piece, lies with such groups as Bel Cantanti Opera."

Washington Post

"Bel CantantiЕ reaffirmed the belief that we are living in a golden age of opera and the hope that opera in America has a promising feature. Bel Cantanti Е makes the special magic of opera happen.Ф
Washington Post

УЕ an absolute delight for opera aficionados and the perfect opportunity for timid newbies to be surprised at just how much fun opera can be.Ф

Washington Times

"Bel Cantanti Opera has emerged as a great showcase for area talent."

Arlington Weekly News TV

"Bel CantantiЕshows a serious, focused orientation, high ambition and significant potential."

Washington Post

About us

Auditions

Bel Cantanti Opera 2026-2027 Season Auditions!

Bel Cantanti Opera Company is announcing auditions for its 2026 - 2027 season.

Singers are needed for the following productions:

- B. Britten's The Turn of the Screw (October 3, 4, 10 and 11, 2026).
Anna Bolena may be presented as an alternative if casting for The Turn of the Screw is not possible.

- G. Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. (December 18, 19, 20, 2026)

- A. Rubinstein's- Demon ( March 6, 7, 13, 14, 2027)

- G. Rossini's L'Italiana in Algeri (May 1, 2, 8, 9, 2027)

Auditions are held on Saturdays May 30, June 6, 1pm-6pm
and on Sunday, May 31 , 1-6pm, 2026.
Hefner Auditorium of the Asbury Methodist Village, 301 Odendhal Ave, Gaithersburg, MD.
Pianist is provided free of charge.

To schedule an audition singers need to send via email to auditions@belcantanti.com:
1. a current resume
2. a recent headshot
3. mp4 recording or a link to the website or Youtube
4. a pdf application (click to download)
5. a short bio
5. a costume measurements form (click to download)
6. the application fee of $35, paid online by a credit card. (click to make a payment).

The deadline for applications is May 27, 12:00pm. Audition fees are non-refundable after the deadline.

Audition requirements - two arias, one of those should be:
Aria in Italian,(Rossini's, Donizetti).
Aria in Russian A. Rubinstein's The Demon..
Aria in English if auditioning for Britten's The Turn of the Screw and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors .

Singers auditioning for the lead roles in the opera are required to sing an aria from the opera that they are auditioning for or an aria of very similar style.

Accepted singers will be informed about their audition slot via email. The time slots will be secured only if ALL required materials are submitted.

Please, do not apply for auditions if you are not available for the performance and rehearsal dates. Rehearsal period is 2 weeks before the opening show.

Bel Cantanti Opera Company auditions singers in the end of each season, in the spring. Please join our mailing list to receive an announcement about the season auditions.

Dr. Katerina Souvorova, General and Artistic Director of BCO auditions singers during the year also. To request audition, please send the application, your currect resume, headshot and recording if available at auditions@belcantanti.com