Upcoming Workshops
Barcelona -- April 21 & 22 Audition Masterclass with Boris Ignatov - Casting Director of Stuttgart Staatsoper
Finding Your Unique Voice – Sharpen Your Audition
This exclusive one-on-one experience goes beyond the audition, offering personalized consultations and rare insight into the mindset of today’s casting directors. Designed for emerging and professional singers alike, the masterclass empowers artists to refine their unique voice, strengthen their audition strategy, enhance their professional marketability, and build lasting success in today’s evolving opera world.
Receive tailored, actionable guidance to move your career forward with clarity and confidence. We’ll cover audition preparation from both the artistic and psychological perspectives, long-term vocal and artistic development, and smart repertoire planning. This session will spotlight your strengths and provide expert tips for growth, helping you shine brighter than ever as a performer. You’ll also learn effective self-marketing strategies—from crafting a compelling bio to managing your online presence—so you can stand out to decision-makers in a competitive field.
Whether you’re preparing for auditions, seeking professional guidance, or looking to elevate your career, this masterclass offers invaluable knowledge and mentorship from one of opera’s most respected figures.
This workshop is for singers who want to learn how to maximize their potential and ‘shine through’ the ever-growing competition.
45 minute time slots are available on:
April 21:15:30 – 19:15
April 22: 14:00 –19:15
The Masterclass will start with a talk followed by a Question and Answers session. All enrolled singers can attend all sessions, during the duration of the Masterclass
Cost: 200 Euros
Enrollment: Limited to 15 singers
An accompanist is provided.
Deadline to apply: April 16, 2026
Please note that the workshop may reach full capacity before the due date.
To apply:
please submit two videos and CV to audition@cosi7.com
Boris Ignatov was born in Moscow. After studying classical philology and theatre studies, he worked as a music journalist for Moscow News and the radio station Echo Moskaus, as well as editor of the Bolshoi Theater magazine. In 2007 he accepted an invitation from the then director of the Paris Opera Gerard Mortier to join his team as a production assistant and later as a casting assistant. With the beginning of the 2009/10 season, he began a two-year stint as a casting manager at the Flemish Opera in Antwerp and Ghent. In 2012 Boris Ignatov became casting director of the Teatro Real, Madrid under the artistic direction of Gerard Mortier. From 2015 to 2017 he worked as artistic director and casting director at the Ruhrtriennale under the direction of Johan Simons.
Boris Ignatov was responsible for hiring famous conductors such as Semyon Bychkov, Teodor Currentzis, Sylvain Cambreling, Ivor Bolton, Thomas Hengelbrock, Tomáš Hanus, Alberto Zedda, Leif Segerstam, Dennis Russell Davies, Pablo Heras-Casado, Hartmut Haenchen, and René Jacobs. He also collaborates with the composers Christian Jost, Charles Wuorinen, Mauricio Sotelo, and Alberto Posadas, as well as the directors Christoph Marthaler, Krzysztof Warlikowski, Dmitri Tcherniakov, Peter Sellars, Johan Simons, Ivo van Hove, Pierre Audi, Tatjana Gürbaca, Peter Konwitschny, Nigel Lowery, and Martin Kušej. Starting from the 2018/19 Boris Ignatov serves as a casting director of the Staatsoper Stuttgart.
COSI7
Cosi7 is an organization dedicated to empowering opera singers and musicians through comprehensive training programs. Cosi7 provides a supportive environment where budding vocalists and instrumentalists can refine their skills and gain valuable performance experience. Founded in 2016, the organization is loved for its passionate staff and commitment to fostering talent within the opera community. By offering mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities, Cosi7 helps aspiring artists confidently navigate their artistic journeys and connect with industry professionals.
Faculty
Cosi7 brings together leading professionals from the world of opera to provide exceptional training and networking opportunities. Our distinguished faculty includes directors, casting directors, coaches, and agents who guide singers and instrumentalists in preparing for major auditions and refining their artistry. With their expertise, you’ll gain the tools and insights needed to stand out in today’s highly competitive opera world.
Maya Barsacq
Conductor. Opera Coach,
Affiliations: Tenerife Opera, Midsummer Mozart Festival, Cadenza Orchestra and founder of Zenith Opera Competition
Mark Hastings
Opera Coach and Répetiteur
Affiliations: Gran Teatre del Liceu, NY Metropolitan Opera, San Carlo di Napoli, Staatsoper Under den Linden, Bremen Oper, Dallas Opera, Bogota Opera, Munich Bayerische Staatsoper.
Byron Knutson
Coach, Conductor, and pedagogue
Affiliations: Komische Oper Berlin, Hanns Eisler Conservatory in Berlin
Christina Scheppelmann
General Director
Affiliations: Seattle Opera, Theatre de la Monnaie, Gran Teatre del Liceu, San Francisco Opera, Washington National Opera
David Lomeli
Casting director and Consultant.
Affiliations: Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, Munich Bayerische Staatsoper, Atlanta Opera
Annette Weber-Hussain
Casting director, and Stage Director
Affiliations: Zurich Opera, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Dresden Oper, Opera de Paris
Anna Fauth
Artist Manager
Affiliation: Harrison Parrott Group
Detlef Soetler
Stage Director and pedagogue
Affiliation: Lituania National Theater, Opera Thailand Bangkok, Vienna Staatsoper, Royal Center Nottingham
Brian Speck
Artistic Administrator
Affiliation: The Metropolitan Opera of New York, Houston Grand Opera
Eitan Sorek
Founder and general director
Affiliation: Sorek Artists
Carlos Chausson
Opera Singer
Affiliation: Performed with leading international opera houses worldwide
Leticia Martin Ruiz
Artistic Director
Affiliation: Gran Teatre del Liceu, Grec Festival Barcelona, Teatros del Canal
Boris Ignatov
Casting Director
Affiliation: Stuttgart Staatsoper, Teatro Real de Madrid, Opera de Paris
Luca Valentino
Stage Director and pedagogue
Affiliation: Teatro Reggio di Torino, Opera de Buxtaca, Scatola Sonora Festival
Josep Buforn
Opera Coach and Répetiteur
Affiliation: Gran Teatre del Liceu, Vinas Competition
“I’ve had the privilege of participating in two workshops with Cosi7 — one with David Lomelí and another with Annette Weber-Hussain. These workshops offer more than just the rare opportunity to audition for leading international casting directors; they also provide honest, immediate, and constructive feedback in a space that nurtures both artistic excellence and individual expression. A true gift for any singer committed to growth and authenticity in their craft.”
José Manuel Guinot
“Unforgettable and transformative! The Barcelona masterclass with Annette Weber-Hussain reshaped my performance. Inspiring atmosphere, top-tier professionals, and flawless organization. If you’re thinking about it—go. This is where careers grow!”
Shiri Magar
“A wonderful workshop with David Lomeli in Barcelona – Thank you for making it possible”
Alexandra Nowakoski
“I greatly appreciated the sessions in Berlin—musically, theatrically, and physically they were both instructive and engaging, with faculty who were kind yet challenging. The highlight was meeting Anna Fauth, a rare chance to gain valuable behind-the-scenes insights from someone deeply involved in the industry.”
Rémi Ortega
“The workshop in Berlin was incredibly valuable experience for me. I was not only able to further develop my repertoire but also gained important industry insights from professionals at the highest level.”
Madison Resch
“The Cosi7 workshop with Annette Weber-Hussain was truly uplifting and amazing! I felt safe to experiment, supported to explore, and encouraged to grow as an artist. I would recommend it to anyone—and I’ll definitely be back!”
Maria Isart
“It was an experience filled with inspiration, learning, and the kind of subtle details that make all the difference when you sing. Her way of guiding — with such clarity, warmth, and passion — helped me rediscover my voice from a whole new perspective. I left the class not only with new tools, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a heart full of motivation to keep growing on this journey.”
Paola Ariza
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