We are delighted that Ira Siff, a highly respected voice teacher and coach, will be giving a masterclass to our students. He is a former voice teacher at CvA and graduated from the Sweelinck Conservatorium.

Siff's distinguished career spans several decades, marked by his unique transition from a tenor debut in 1970 to a celebrated soprano counter tenor. He is renowned for founding the internationally acclaimed opera parody troupe, La Gran Scena Opera Co., in 1981, where he shone as both the Artistic Director and the star 'diva', Madame Vera. His performances with the troupe and as a solo artist have graced the stages of major opera houses and festivals worldwide, including Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Covent Garden Festival, among others.

Aside from his performance career, Ira Siff's contributions to the world of opera extend to stage directing and broadcasting. Between 2000 and 2010, he directed over twenty productions, collaborating with eminent conductors like James Levine and Richard Bonynge. Since 2007, he has been the esteemed Commentator on the Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, reaching a global audience of millions each season.

Teaching has been a cornerstone of Siff's career. With over forty-five years of experience teaching privately in New York and Amsterdam, he has shared his vast knowledge through masterclasses at prestigious institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera Guild and the conservatories of Den Haag and Amsterdam. His writing in Opera News since 1997 has further contributed to his legacy in the world of opera.

This masterclass presents a rare opportunity for participants to learn from a maestro who has not only excelled in performance but has also significantly impacted opera through teaching, directing, and broadcasting.