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Job Duties

Although the roles of an opera coach and a répétiteur are different, these roles overlap considerably, and many coaches will take on répétiteur contracts, while many répétiteurs will also coach.

An opera coach primarily coaches singers. They might work privately, or they might be connected to a college, conservatoire, or opera house. Their work is normally one-to-one with opera singers, helping them to prepare their music for rehearsals and performance. The coach will play the orchestra reduction on the piano, to accompany the singer rehearsing. They will advise the singer on the appropriate diction in the performance language, on any aspects of musicality, and on the stylistic features of the piece. They would also sing in the lines of other characters, to help the singer gain familiarity with the other parts. Unlike a singing teacher, a coach would not be expected to comment on the technicalities of how to sing. Their focus is on how the singer communicates the music and the text. It is not unusual for a coach to specialise in a particular style, or a particular language.

A répétiteur primarily plays for opera rehearsals. They would play the orchestral reduction on the piano during staging or music rehearsals, usually following a conductor. If the conductor is not present at a rehearsal, it is the répétiteur’s job to conduct the singer’s entries, and to ensure they are following the nuances which the conductor desires. They might also give the singers tips on musicality and diction, but these are usually reserved for individual coaching sessions.

An opera coach or répétiteur may also be engaged to play for singers during auditions or competitions, either by the organization or by individual singers.

Whilst it is possible for an opera coach/répétiteur to travel with their work, the majority of them choose to settle in one location where they might gain contracts with different companies and houses, as well as curating a list of private students.