Call for Expressions of Interest for the 2026/27 Season: 

•  INO Studio Director / Assistant Director 

• INO Studio Conductor / Assistant Conductor 

• INO Studio Répétiteur / Assistant Répétiteur 

INO Studio 

Running from September 2026-July 2027, the INO Studio is the company’s artist development programme. It works over the course of a full season with a small number of artists on a year-long intensive training programme. More information on the studio can be found here.  

INO Studio programme offers a flexible pathway of bespoke training and mentoring, and can include assistant-level opportunities for Irish opera creatives as they develop a professional career.   

Successful candidates may be those at an early stage of professional development, or more experienced artists wishing to expand their career in opera. Candidates must be able to demonstrate a level of excellence in their chosen discipline and an ambition to work in opera.  

INO Studio activities may include: 

• Mentorship with leading creatives 
• Masterclasses and career development workshops
• Opportunities to assist opera creative teams in INO’s productions
• Opportunities to work collaboratively on INO Studio performances and productions
• Language coaching
• Placements and exchanges with partner organisations  

INO Studio Director 

The Studio Director position will suit an early career director, or a practitioner wishing to expand their career into opera. The Studio Director will be part of the creative team for up to three operas in the 2026-27 season. They will gain a strong understanding of the creative process in opera. Subject to experience levels, they may work as assistant directors on some productionsand they may also direct INO Studio productions. Knowledge of Italian, French and/or German and the ability to read music will be an advantage, but the studio can also provide opportunities for skill development in these areas if necessary.  

The Studio Director receives a weekly fee for their work on productions. They will be expected to be available for up to 18 weeks over the course of the season which runs from September 2026 until July 2027. Specific dates within this window will be agreed upon appointment.   

Applicants will be able to point to a track record relevant to this area of work. 

INO Studio Conductor 

The Studio Conductor position will suit an early career conductor, or a practitioner wishing to expand their career into opera. The Studio Conductor will work as part of the creative team for up to three operas in the 2026-27 season. They will contribute to the musical preparation of the operas at a level appropriate to their experience and skill. This will be a valuable opportunity to gain experience at a professional level with a broad range of opera professionals. Studio conductors will receive training and guidance from INO Artistic Director Fergus Sheil as well as guest conductors and other music staff. They will also have opportunities to participate in workshops, masterclasses, language coaching and performances with the INO Studio singers and répétiteur. Knowledge of Italian, French and / or German will be an advantage.  

The Studio Conductor receives a retainer fee for their participation on the programme and / or a weekly fee for work on productions. They will be expected to attend up to 90 days of training and/or production rehearsals over the course of the season which runs from September 2026 until July 2027. Specific dates within this window will be agreed upon appointment.  

Applicants will normally have completed a degree in music or performance and will have some demonstrable conducting experience. 

INO Studio Répétiteur  

Irish National Opera is inviting applications from pianists for a position in the INO Studio as répétiteur for the 2026/27 Season. The position will suit pianists that have already achieved a high level of skill, for example those that have already completed a performance degree or masters.    

As répétiteur in the INO Studio, you will expand your skills and competency at accompanying singers, develop your language skills and experience working in a cross-discipline environment. The INO Studio répétiteur will receive regular coaching from world class artists, alongside the chance to work as an assistant répétiteur on a number of INO’s productions in the 2026/27 season.   

The studio répétiteur receives a retainer fee for their participation on the programme. They will be expected to attend up to 80 days of training and/or production rehearsals over the course of the season which runs from September 2026 until July 2027. Specific dates within this window will be agreed upon appointment.   

Candidates do not need to have experience working in opera but should have excellent keyboard skills.   

Assistant Director / Assistant Conductor / Assistant Répétiteur 

Artists that do not wish to commit to membership of a year-long studio programme, or those whose career may have progressed beyond the areas of training and mentorship provided by the studio, may submit expressions of interest to work as freelance Assistant Directors, Assistant Conductors or Assistant Répétiteurs on individual INO’s productions over the 2026-27 season and beyond. Where such work is offered it is Dublin-based, normally for a period of 5-7 weeks and paid on a weekly basis. 

Artists that have previously worked with INO as Assistant Conductor, Assistant Director or Assistant Répétiteurs will be considered for future work. This call is designed for artists new to INO.  

Note: This call is only open to applicants who are either Irish or based in Ireland at the point of application. All contracts are Dublin based. Please note that for the 2026/27 Season opportunities may be offered in some, but not all, of the disciplines above.  

Schedule 

• Interview/audition date: Tuesday 19 May or Thursday 21 May 2026
• Venue: Irish National Opera, 69 Dame Street, Dublin 2
• Requirements:  Please upload a copy of you CV with an accompanying cover letter and headshot to the form linked below. Cover letters should be maximum 1 page and should explain why this opportunity would be relevant to the applicant at this point in their career.  

Conductors should also provide a YouTube or Vimeo link to a short video that features them conducting something. Directors and Répétiteurs are also welcome to submit video links if available and if relevant.  

How to apply: 

To apply for any of these roles please complete and upload the required documents using our application form here: APPLICATION FORM

Applications should be received by Thursday 7 May 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.  

For detailed information and conditions of membership of the INO Studio click HERE.

Irish National Opera welcomes and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds and ethnicities and is committed to equal opportunities, access and diversity in our recruitment process. If you foresee any additional requirements for an in-person audition for the INO Studio, do please highlight these as part of your application and we will do our best to accommodate. Such requirements will not have an impact on the success of your application. 

If you have any questions about the application process, please email info@irishnationalopera.com. Please note that applications must not be submitted by email, but via the online application form linked in ‘How to Apply’ section of this webpage.