VOCAL Master Class with Thomas Hampson

In 2026, the Master Class will once again take place, led by none other than world-renowned baritone Thomas Hampson. The master class is organized in cooperation with the Gustav Mahler Private University for Music Klagenfurt (GMPU) and the Musikwochen Millstatt. Thomas Hampson is already looking forward to working with the young singers: “I want to motivate people and support them in their development.”

Thomas Hampson looks back on a unique international career as an opera, concert, and recital singer. The American baritone performs in leading concert halls and opera houses worldwide and is regarded as an “ambassador of song.” The star baritone has a special connection to Millstatt – in 2025 he appeared there for the 9th time as part of the Musikwochen. In 2026, he will share his extensive knowledge and experience with young vocal talents in a master class. Over the course of four class days, the young singers will work with Hampson on a varied repertoire under the theme “Song and Opera.” The highlight is the joint concert evening, at which renowned works will be performed by Thomas Hampson and the young talents. Thomas Hampson is known not only for his outstanding achievements as a singer who has appeared on the world’s most prestigious stages, but also as a respected teacher and Mahler interpreter. He has taught at renowned events such as the Heidelberger Frühling (Heidelberg Lied Academy) and at the Boulez Saal in Berlin. He is also the founder of the Hampson Foundation, which promotes intercultural dialogue and understanding through the art of classical song – poetry in music. Through the new cooperation between CMA, the Gustav Mahler Private University for Music, and the Musikwochen Millstatt, Thomas Hampson was secured as the instructor for the Master Class in Voice.

Target group:
The vocal master class is aimed at music students from the first stage of their studies onward.

Course period: 27–31 July 2026

Participation:
Active participation is possible for 8–10 people.
Passive participation is possible on three course days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

Participation in the final concert may be active or passive. The decision rests solely with the instructor.
The final concert will take place on 31 July 2026 as part of the Music Weeks Millstatt.

Information to be provided with the application:

• CV / artistic résumé

• Video (mandatory): The video must meet the following requirements:

  • One freely chosen aria

The application video must be submitted exclusively as a link (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.) in the text field
“Message / other information.”
The video link must not have an expiration date and must not be time-limited.

Please record the video using a fixed camera perspective (do not move the camera). You may use a smartphone or a professional camera for recording. Please ensure good sound quality; you are welcome to use microphones. You and your accompanist(s), if any, must be clearly visible. At the beginning of the video, please introduce yourself and announce your program, looking directly into the camera.

The results of the selection process are final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome. Legal recourse is excluded.

For questions, please contact our Musical-Pedagogical Director Michael Mayer at: michael.mayer@die-cma.at

• Preparatory session for the Master Class with répétiteur

• 4 teaching units with Thomas Hampson

• Concert preparation session with répétiteur for participants selected to perform in the concert (selection made during the Master Class by the instructor)

Fees:
Registration fee: € 200
Active course fee: € 680
The course fee including the registration fee is due immediately after selection by the instructor.

Tickets:
Passive participation on three days (Tuesday–Thursday, always from 11 a.m.) is only possible with prior registration.

Adults / non-professionals: € 120
Students / young people: € 80

Languages:
German, English

Concert recommendation: July 31, 2026
Concert at Musikwochen Millstatt: Young vocal talents, together with Kammersänger Thomas Hampson, will present an impressive concert evening in the Millstatt Abbey Church. https://www.musikwochen.com/