ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 2025-2026

THE SEARCH

Lowell House Opera (“LHO”), the oldest performing opera company in New England, is looking for its next Artist in Residence. Lowell House Opera is founded upon intergenerational leadership, both executive and artistic. It is the nexus of the arts, business, education, and advocacy. In residence at Harvard College, LHO is grounded in a unique educational approach. LHO casts some of Boston’s finest emerging professionals—many of whom are students at neighboring conservatories—alongside exceptional Harvard students, working as peers in a collaborative, rigorous environment. 

Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, LHO aims to regularly produce operas written by Harvard students. This unprecedented vision began in Spring 2022 when Benjamin Perry Wenzelberg ‘22 saw the world premiere of his award-winning opera “NIGHTTOWN,” an operatic reimagining of James Joyce’s Ulysses. Then, in Spring 2024, LHO’s current Executive Director Benjamin T. Rossen ‘23 saw the world premiere of his original score and libretto: “The Unknowable: An Operatic Ballet in Two Acts.” Following the success of these two vibrant productions, Lowell House Faculty Deans David Laibson and Nina Zipser and LHO are committed to uplifting students to inject emerging artists and original storytelling into this unique art form. 
You must be an active student at Harvard College as of May 2026. You do not have to reside in Lowell House. The following artists are eligible:
  1. One composer who will write an original score or an original score & libretto.
  2. One librettist who will write an original libretto.
If you fit the criterion of (1), you may either set an original score to an original libretto or an adapted libretto. You may write your own libretto. If you decide to collaborate with a librettist, that individual does not have to be an active student at Harvard College, although it is encouraged. 
If you fit the criterion of (2), you must set your libretto to an original score. You must collaborate with a composer, and that individual does not have to be an active student at Harvard College, although it is encouraged. 
If both the composer and the librettist are active students at Harvard College, they may submit a joint application with the intent of becoming two “Artists In Residence.” If either the librettist or composer are not active students at Harvard College, LHO will only consider the position “Artist in Residence” for the primary applicant. 
If you are a staging director, music director, producer, or performer, you may not submit an application. However, if you plan to collaborate with a composer or librettist, those applicants should include your anticipated role on their written proposal (material 3). Details to follow. 
A special note: if you would like to work with LHO as soon as Fall 2024, you may email producers@lowellhouseopera.com regarding how to get involved for this year’s season.

ELIGIBILITY

THE POSITION

The Artist in Residence is responsible for conceiving and directing a brand new opera, to be performed in Spring 2026 at Harvard University. They will receive support from LHO, Lowell House, and Harvard University while granted complete artistic freedom for their operatic vision. From their selection in Spring 2025 to their world premiere in Spring 2026, they will engage in the compositional process while tapping into LHO’s artistic resources, as needed. They are also responsible for leading the operations of the Lowell House Opera company. From recruitment to budgeting to fundraising to marketing, they are essentially the impresario of LHO. This position presents an unprecedented opportunity for artists to oversee every aspect of the creative process and lead an arts institution at an important moment in its 86-year history. They will lead the LHO Executive Team, which is responsible for bringing the show to life. The team includes the Business Manager and Harvard-student Pechet Fellows, who are specialized implementers in specific domains of the business. They will collaborate with the Board of Directors, an eclectic and renowned group of Harvard affiliates and Boston creatives, to expand the company into a guarantor of 21st century opera. Perhaps most importantly, they will set the precedent for continued excellence by Harvard students in creating opera for years to come.
In order to be considered for the position of Artist in Residence, applicants must provide the following materials:
  1. A completed application form, which can be found here. Joint applicants should only submit one application. Please do not submit separate composer and librettist applications.A
  2. An artistic résumé or CV. Joint applicants should submit two résumés or CVs.
  3. A written proposal. This document contains an overview of the opera (think Wikipedia introduction); list of characters and voice types, as applicable; instrumentation; approximate length and number of acts; a comprehensive plot synopsis; and optionally, the themes of the show. In addition to this artistic information, please provide a “Personnel List,” a bullet list of the individuals planning to work with you. Please specify the roles of these collaborators. Please submit a single PDF.
  4. A musical excerpt from your opera. The musical excerpt should robustly showcase you or your collaborator’s vocal and instrumental writing in this opera, and should last no longer than ten minutes. Full scores or vocal scores are accepted. Please submit a single PDF score and a single audio or video recording. The recording may be a live performance or a MIDI realization. The recording should be in MP3, MP4, or MOV format.
  5. A written excerpt from your opera. The excerpt should correspond with the text used in the musical excerpt. The written excerpt should be presented in standard playwriting format and should highlight you or your collaborator’s command of dialogue, direction, and description. There is no page limit. Please submit a single PDF. 
Your opera is fully in your creative control. However, we ask that you approach your creation with the understanding of the spatial and operational limitations that not only face LHO, but any future opera companies who may want to produce your work. It is okay to conceive of grand visions, but remember that asking for an 100-person orchestra, 100-person choir, and sprawling set pieces for this premiere is infeasible. We encourage you to design your opera with flexibility, with the ability to reconfigure instrumentations, voice types, and other creative elements.
Complete applications will be reviewed by two committees. The first is the current LHO administration, led by Executive Director Benjamin T. Rossen, as well as the LHO Board of Directors, led by President of the Board Kenneth Kaufman. The second is a formal committee of opera experts, not affiliated with LHO or its constituents. If the committees express the desire for an interview, please be prepared to meet either over Zoom or in person near the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester.
Materials (2) through (5) should be sent electronically to:
Benjamin T. Rossen, LHO Executive Director
director@lowellhouseopera.com
Deadline: DECEMBER 4th, 2024 @ 11:59PM ET. Please submit all materials simultaneously. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

THE APPLICATION