The New Voice Festival

The New Voice Festival (formerly Narnia Vocal Arts Program) is a one-of-a-kind experience for opera, musical theater, and crossover singers and composers to immerse themselves in the thrill of living as a full-time artist while challenging themselves like never before. Nestled in the beauty of Boise, Idaho, the Vocal Arts and Composers programs take center stage at the Egyptian Theater.

Directed by internationally-acclaimed opera singer, director, and voice teacher Andrea DelGiudice, The New Voice Festival presents productions of opera and musical theater cross-over, both from the repertoire and newly composed. It includes performance opportunities with internationally-acclaimed musicians and faculty and The Serenata Symphony. Co-sponsored by Gemma Arts, the festival boasts a curriculum of vocal training, Italian language immersion, acting, masterclasses, and the opportunity to debut original new works in the Composers Studio Program (both opera and Musical theater) directed by celebrated New-York-based composer Jake Landau. Singers work alongside composers, librettists, and a team of dedicated instructors and artists. All performances include a chamber group or full orchestra, the performance of works in their original languages, and getting singers and composers' pieces up on their feet, training through performance.

2024 FESTIVAL PRESENTS
Dido & Aeneas (Henry Purcell)
& aeterna (jake landau and emily garber)

The New Voice Festival Director: Andrea DelGiudice
Composers-In-Residence Director: Jake Landau

PAST PRODUCTION:

Dido & Aeneas
& Aeterna

A double bill of Henry Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas with a new companion opera, & Aeterna, by composer Jake Landau and librettist Emily Garber, directed and conceived by Andrea DelGiudice and Yuri Napoli.

Dido, Queen of Carthage, is torn between duty to her city and love for Aeneas in an apocalyptic world where female warriors rule. Fate and duty tear them apart until seventeen years later, when their daughter Aeterna sets out on a journey to find her father and avenge her mother’s death.

Make your voice heard.
do what you love, in BOISE.

Apply Now for Summer 2024!

OUR PROGRAMS

OPERA/mUSICAL THEATER

June 3 – June 20 (June 6 for MT Singers)

The New Voice Festival Opera/Musical Theater Program, directed by Andrea DelGiudice includes performances of complete, fully-staged roles in their original language with orchestra; vocal coaching; Italian language classes; as well A Night of Opera and Musical Theater with The Serenata Orchestra, masterclasses, and career consulting. Open to professionals and young artists alike.

The Program’s 2024 season presents Dido & Aeneas (Purcell) & Aeterna (Landau/Garber) in an all-new concept, fully staged opera/MT production with chamber ensemble, directed by Program Director Andrea DelGiudice and renowned Italian director Yuri Napoli.

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EMERGING ARTIST

June 6 – June 20

The Emerging Artist Program offers the opportunity to study with internationally renowned Italian and American teachers, coaches, and conductors; perform in A Night of Opera and Musical Theater with Serenata Orchestra; perform in Dido & Aeneas (Purcell) & Aeterna (Landau/Garber); and take part in lectures, masterclasses, and private coachings. The Emerging Artist Program is directed by Michele Detwiler and provides opportunities for singers to receive training and connections to some of the world’s most prestigious theaters, universities and conservatories.

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COMPOSERS STUDIO

July 6 – June 20

The New Voice Composers Studio, directed by Jake Landau, offers emerging composers the invaluable experience of working directly with singers on their own music. Guided by our composition and vocal faculty, each composer works with a small group of singers to workshop and premiere a two-person scene and a solo art song. Composers additionally attend lectures, Italian language classes, and masterclasses; receive private lessons on their music; and attend the rehearsals, stagings, and performances of their two original works to be premiered at our performance, DOMINA - Power in Unexpected Places.

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“I had such a wonderful musical and personal experience. I highly recommend it!”

— Jonathan Scott, Baritone
Metropolitan Opera
Gianni Schicchi (Opera Program 2017)