The Adler Fellowship is one of the world’s most prestigious programs for opera’s most promising young artists. Originally founded in 1977 as the San Francisco Affiliate Artists Opera Program, the program gives young singers and pianists the opportunity to gain valuable experience by performing supporting roles in San Francisco Opera’s mainstage productions.
For eight years now the Goethe-Institut San Francisco has been teaching German language classes at the San Francisco Opera as part of the Adler fellowship program. The Adler fellowship program is a multi-year performance-oriented residency offering advanced young artists intensive individual training, coaching and professional seminars, as well as a wide range of performance opportunities. The prestigious fellowship has nurtured the development of more than 175 young artists since its inception. Director Sheri Greenawald considers language training an essential component:
"The singers arrive at a key point in their training. Most have mastered the fundamentals of singing but haven't made the leap into professional careers. Learning a foreign language is probably the most valuable part of the program. It's critical, especially for English-speaking singers. They have to know what the words mean. This is the key, not only for acting, but for vocal production. It's an area where many conservatories fail, and it's what conductors most often complain about." - Quote from marinij.com.