Please note that the deadline for applications has been extended to Friday 11 November at 12 noon.

The French Song Exchange has been devised by Dame Felicity Lott and François le Roux, with Wigmore Hall’s Director John Gilhooly. The premise of the French Song Exchange Academy is described by Dame Felicity and François as follows:

“We would like to encourage applications to The French Song Exchange from young singers in the UK and in France, who are interested in furthering their knowledge and appreciation of French song. We will hold auditions in London and Paris and singers from each country will be selected. They will each receive coaching throughout the year with Felicity and François. The coaching will take place in London (during the 22/23 season) and at the end of the year there will be the opportunity of shared showcase recitals at Wigmore Hall in London and at the Salle Cortot in Paris.

For the audition, we ask the singers to prepare two Mélodies: one classical style, Berlioz to Fauré, and one Debussy to Poulenc.

We are looking forward to exploring French poetry and French song together with a new generation of recitalists.”

Complete application form

Application Process:

• Age limit of 33 at the time of application.
• Applications open to singers of all nationalities. A good understanding of French is required.
• Applications to include: CV; letter of recommendation from a prominent musician; & one audio OR video recording of a performance of a French Mélodie that has been made within the last year. The recording must be certified by a recognised musician or the recording engineer as the recent work of the named performer (please upload a signed letter of certification). Applicants are advised to have the recording made professionally otherwise it may not do justice to their performance; however, this is not mandatory.
• Audio or video recordings should be uploaded to a host site, provided to us via the website URL.
• Deadline of Friday 11 November 12 nooon.
• Open to all nationalities, but applicants must be based in France or UK

For the auditions:

• Singers to prepare two Mélodies: one classical style, Berlioz to Fauré, and one Debussy to Poulenc. (The repertoire performed at the live auditions must be different from the applicant’s audition recording)
• Songs to be performed from memory.
• Transpositions allowed.
• Paris audition dates to be confirmed, at the École Normale.
• London audition dates: w/c 21 November.
• A pianist will be provided for the auditions. Successful applicants will work with Sebastian Wybrew, the official pianist for the French Song Exchange.

For any questions regarding the auditions, please contact Joe Duer jduer@wigmore-hall.org.uk