summer repetiteur programme
the summer programme
BYO has been running a summer programme since the 1980s. The premise is simple – emerging repetiteurs, as part of their journey into professionals careers, bring an entire opera to life alongside participants from other career paths. With guidance from established professionals, participants improve their confidence, build stronger professional behaviours in a real-word rehearsal environment, and start to build connections with peers and figures in the wider industry.
The 2027 programme
Our 2027 programme is split into two parallel projects:
- Dido and Aeneas – a 6 week long project to create a fully-staged production of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas alongside participants on other programmes. You'll be in the rehearsal room every day, honing your skills and learning more about working with singers.
- La Rondine – working with singers and conductor Harry Sever, you'll work towards a concert performance of the opera. Again, you'll be playing for rehearsals and coachings, learning more about the process of pulling together a full opera.
who can apply
Anybody is welcome to apply for our repetiteur programme – there are no formal entry requirements – but you should have advanced performance skills.
You should make sure you have the right visa arrangements to complete our programmes.
Key dates
- 30 October 2026 – applications close
- 8 and 9 December – interviews and working sessions in London
- from December 2026 and into January 2027 – places on our programmes are offered
- 19 June – rehearsals for La Rondine
- 3 July – La Rondine concert performance
- July – rehearsals and studio sessions for Dido and Aeneas
- 17–20 August – Dido and Aeneas performances at Battersea Arts Centre
financials
To submit an application you'll need to be a member of BYO hub (£33 a year), but taking part in our summer programmes is completely free, and you'll receive a £400 (La Rondine) or £600 (Dido and Aeneas) bursary to help with living costs during your time with us. Creator strand participants may be entitled to enhanced bursaries to support them through their pre-rehearsal work. If you're coming from outside London we may also be able to help you with accommodation.
applications and auditions
To apply, just hit the button at the bottom of this page.
After the application deadline we will shortlist applicants and invite those successful ones to a working session in London – you'll be told what to expect in that email. If invited, you'll need to attend in person. Offers on places on our programmes will be sent out via email shortly afterwards.
faqs
All programmes in a career area (eg singing, directing, music staff) share an application form, so you can apply for all of those at the same time. You're also able to apply to programmes in multiple areas – just fill out each application form.
It is possible that you could be offered a place on the Serena Fenwick and summer programmes – the decisions on offering places take place independently. However each programme is offering something different, and you'll only be offered a place where the panel think that matches what you need.
There is no upper age limit to apply – you just need to be able to show your career would benefit from the training on offer. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for the programme.
You can apply for both strands at the same time, it won't affect how your application is considered.
Still have questions?
Email admin@byo.org.uk and we'll get back to you ASAP.
apply now
The deadline for applications is xxpm on xxx October 2026. Make sure you get yours in before then because we're not able to accept late applications.