Join us for an inspiring evening of music, artistry, and community at our special Launch Celebration Concert in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Hosted at the beautiful PianoForte Chicago, this intimate performance will feature a dynamic program of operatic, piano, and chamber music works performed by Anastasia Antropova, our artistic director, along with a wonderful group of Chicago-based musicians.

Guests are warmly invited to enjoy a reception with prosecco and wine, offering an opportunity to connect with the artists and fellow supporters of the arts.

This event is more than a concert—it is a gathering of creative individuals, arts advocates, and visionary supporters who believe in the transformative power of music and theater. We warmly invite artists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and lovers of the arts to come together in a shared commitment to cultural enrichment and artistic excellence.

Your presence and support will help us continue creating meaningful musical experiences, expand educational initiatives, and foster collaboration within Chicagoland’s vibrant creative community.

Admission is free with required registration.
Donations both during registration and event are warmly welcomed and will directly support our artistic and educational programs.

We look forward to sharing this unforgettable evening with you.

CHILDREN’S CHOIR AUDITIONS — VERDI GALA

We are currently auditioning children for the children’s choir for our production of Verdi Gala, a concert with one of the most iconic works of the world operatic repertoire, taking place Nov 6 in Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, IL. Children will perform alongside professional chamber orchestra and world-class singers.

Age requirement: 6–14 years

Participants will participate in:

• 11-12 hours of preparation rehearsals including:

  • 1 general rehearsal (in the concert hall with orchestra)

• 1 performance.

Children will work with top professionals in the music field and develop skills in:

• Singing

• Italian language

• Acting and movement

During the first lessons, children will learn about the composer Giuseppe Verdi and the art of opera in Italy.

Each parent receives one free ticket for performance

REHEARSAL LOCATIONS

• Initial rehearsals: Fine Arts Building

• Rehearsal with Orchestra: Roosevelt University building on Michigan Avenue (room number will be sent in the email)

• Performance: Nichols Concert Hall

SCHEDULE

• Aug 30 1–2PM

• Sept 6 1–2PM

• Sept 13 1–2PM

• Sept 20 1–2PM

• Sept 27 1–2PM

• Oct 4 1–2PM

• Oct 11 1–2PM

• Oct 18 1-2PM

• Oct 25 1-2PM

• Nov 1 1-2PM

• Nov 4 — Nichols Hall general rehearsal in with orchestra, evening call time TBA

• Nov 6 — Performance evening call time TBA

One additional run-through rehearsal with orchestra may be added (TBA).

ATTENDANCE POLICY

You may miss no more than two preparation rehearsals.
Attendance at the general rehearsal on Nov 4 is mandatory.

PROGRAM FEE

The full program cost: $360

• 35% discount for a second child from the same family

• Casting is limited to 14 children

• Please choose this option if you are returning family with 2 choir students only! If you never sang with our choir before, please pick the new student option!

Children’s Choir Auditions — Verdi Gala

We are currently auditioning children for the children’s choir for our production of Verdi Gala, a concert with one of the most iconic works of the world operatic repertoire, taking place Nov 6 in Nichols Hall in Evanston, IL. Children will perform alongside professional chamber orchestra and world-class singers.

Age requirement: 6–14 years

Participants will participate in:

• 11-12 hours of preparation rehearsals including:

  • 1 general rehearsal (in the concert hall with orchestra)

• 1 performance.

Children will work with top professionals in the music field and develop skills in:

• Singing

• Italian language

• Acting and movement

During the first lessons, children will learn about the composer Giuseppe Verdi and the art of opera in Italy.

Each parent receives one free ticket for performance

Rehearsal Locations

• Initial rehearsals: Fine Arts Building

• Rehearsal with Orchestra: Roosevelt University building on Michigan Avenue (room number will be sent in the email)

• Performance: Nichols Hall

Schedule

• Aug 30 1–2PM

• Sept 6 1–2PM

• Sept 13 1–2PM

• Sept 20 1–2PM

• Sept 27 1–2PM

• Oct 4 1–2PM

• Oct 11 1–2PM

• Oct 18 1-2PM

• Oct 25 1-2PM

• Nov 1 1-2PM

• Nov 4 — Nichols Hall general rehearsal in with orchestra, evening call time TBA

• Nov 6 — Performance evening call time TBA

One additional run-through rehearsal with orchestra may be added (TBA).

Attendance Policy

You may miss no more than two preparation rehearsals.
Attendance at the general rehearsal on Nov 4 is mandatory.

Program Fee

The full program cost: $360

• 35% discount for a second child from the same family

• Casting is limited to 14 children

Please pick this option if you have never sang with our choir before.

We will review your application and contact you. If your child is accepted into the program, we will provide a payment link.

Children’s Choir Auditions — Verdi Gala

We are currently auditioning children for the children’s choir for our production of Verdi Gala, a concert with one of the most iconic works of the world operatic repertoire, taking place Nov 6 in Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston, IL. Children will perform alongside professional chamber orchestra and world-class singers.

Age requirement: 6–14 years

Participants will participate in:

• 11-12 hours of preparation rehearsals including:

  • 1 general rehearsal (in the concert hall with orchestra)

• 1 performance.

Children will work with top professionals in the music field and develop skills in:

• Singing

• Italian language

• Acting and movement

During the first lessons, children will learn about the composer Giuseppe Verdi and the art of opera in Italy.

Each parent receives one free ticket for performance

Rehearsal Locations

• Initial rehearsals: Fine Arts Building

• Rehearsal with Orchestra: Roosevelt University building on Michigan Avenue (room number will be sent in the email)

• Performance: Nichols Concert Hall

Schedule

• Aug 30 1–2PM

• Sept 6 1–2PM

• Sept 13 1–2PM

• Sept 20 1–2PM

• Sept 27 1–2PM

• Oct 4 1–2PM

• Oct 11 1–2PM

• Oct 18 1-2PM

• Oct 25 1-2PM

• Nov 1 1-2PM

• Nov 4 — Nichols Hall general rehearsal in with orchestra, evening call time TBA

• Nov 6 — Performance evening call time TBA

One additional run-through rehearsal with orchestra may be added (TBA).

Attendance Policy

You may miss no more than two preparation rehearsals.
Attendance at the general rehearsal on Nov 4 is mandatory.

Program Fee

The full program cost: $360

• 35% discount for a second child from the same family

• Casting is limited to 14 children

• Please choose this option if you are returning choir student only! If you never sang with our choir before, please pick the new student option!

We are announcing auditions for Verdi Workshop.

Currently Casting

8 students ready to work on the repertoire by Giuseppe Verdi

Participation in 2-3 masterclasses with Verdi Gala conductor Maria Kurochkina, soprano Anastasia Antropova, and baritone Brad Noffsinger Morrisson.

1 Individual coaching with the vocal coach Irina Feoktistova

Participation in the choir for Verdi Gala

1 selected participant will get a solo, ensemble, or featuring role performance in Verdi Gala with the chamber orchestra of Chicago Nova Opera

There is a nominal audition fee to help us cover administrative costs. The workshop itself is completely FREE.

Production Schedule

Workshop period: start Oct 26 (details, exact location in Downtown Chicago, and schedule provided upon casting)

Performances with chamber orchestra:

• Nov 4 — General rehearsal in Nichols Hall

• Nov 6 — Performance in Nichols Hall

Comp & Opportunities

This is a wonderful opportunity for artists at the beginning of their careers to gain valuable stage experience and free coaching.

Audition Requirements

Please send us two arias:

• One aria by any Italian composer.

• One aria by Giuseppe Verdi.

Audition results will be communicated via email shortly after the end of the application deadline audition.

If offered a place in Verdi workshop, you will have 2–3 business days to accept before we move to the waitlist.

Important Notes

• We are not covering transportation or accommodation expenses.

• Chicago-area singers are preferred.

Application Info

You will be asked to provide the following information when you register for the audition:

• Name and surname

• Email

• CV

• Video links

• Titles of the two arias you will sing during the workshops (One aria by any Italian composer and One aria by Giuseppe Verdi).

• Website / social media / additional artistic information

Registration Fee

• $25

Please organize all materials clearly when submitting.

Applications will close on Aug 27 at 11:59 CT.