EO Conducting Course
In 2026, Ensemble OrQuesta will once again give young conductors the opportunity to conduct a fully staged opera under the guidance of Ensemble OrQuesta’s and Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra’s Artistic Director Marcio da Silva. Marcio, also a singer, stage director and harpsichordist, has a vast experience in conducting opera, symphonic music and oratorio.
MOZART: Cosi fan Tutte
The Ensemble OrQuesta team are opening another Mozart Conducting Academy in 2026 with performances at Christ Church, Hastings and The Cockpit, London.
Rehearsals will take place in Hastings from 8th to 16th January with a performance on 17th January and one subsequent performance in London on 23rd January.
This academy will be in partnership with the Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra and the performance will be accompanied by an HPO Ensemble of 7 musicians (Flute, Clarinet and string quintet).
Participating conductors will be coached on opera conducting technique.
The academy will be led by EO’s, and Hastings Philharmonic Orchestra’s artistic director Marcio da Silva.
Each of the four participating conductors will conduct at least one on the two Acts of the opera. In the subsequent performances they can participate as assistants.
Module I
Production period: 8th-17th January
Rehearsal and performance venue: Christ Church (St Leonards on Sea)
Tuition fee: £1,500 (does not include accommodation - payments can be made in instalments)
Module II
Production period: 8th-25th January
Rehearsal venue: Christ Church (St Leonards on Sea) Performance venue: The Cockpit (London - Marylebone)
Tuition fee: £1,500 (does not include accommodation - payments can be made in instalments)
Application: To apply for an opera academy place, please send a CV and a video recording to ensembleorquesta@outlook.com.
HANDEL: Rinaldo
Ensemble OrQuesta’s second conducting academy of the year will also take place Hastings with performances at The Cockpit, Marylebone.
This academy will feature a new production by Marcio da Silva.
The performances will be accompanied by Ensemble OrQuesta Baroque and the academy will be led by EO’s harpsichordist Predrag Gosta and EO’s Artistic Director Marcio da Silva.
Participating conductors will be coached on conducting technique and the baroque style.
Each of the two participating conductors will conduct at least one half of a performance.
Performance dates: 19th & 20th June
Production period: 11th-20th June
Rehearsal Venue: Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea Performance Venue: The Cockpit, London
Tuition fee: £1,000 (does not include accommodation - payments can be paid in instalments)
Application: To apply for an opera academy place, please send a CV and a video recording to ensembleorquesta@outlook.com.
PURCELL: King Arthur
Ensemble OrQuesta’s final conducting academy in 2026 will be a production of Purcell’s King Arthur, with performances at Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea.
This academy will feature a new production by Marcio da Silva.
The performances will be accompanied by Ensemble OrQuesta Baroque and the academy will be led by EO’s harpsichordist Predrag Gosta and EO’s Artistic Director Marcio da Silva. The chorus part will be sung by Opera South East.
Participating conductors will be coached on conducting technique and the baroque style.
Each of the two participating conductors will conduct at least one half of a performance.
Performance dates: 1st & 2nd July
Production period: 23rd June-2nd July
Rehearsal & Performance Venue: Christ Church, St Leonards on Sea
Tuition fee: £1,000 (does not include accommodation - payments can be paid in instalments)
Application: To apply for an opera academy place, please send a CV and a video recording to ensembleorquesta@outlook.com.