Frequently Asked Questions about the Opera Academy
at Henfenfeld Castle

Where's Henfenfeld? How do I get there?

By plane
You land at the airport in Nuremberg. At the airport you have to take the underground line U2 to the main station. Here you have connection to the S-Bahn, line S1, direction Hartmannshof. The journey takes about 30 minutes. Get off at Henfenfeld station and follow the route as described here. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the castle.

By car
From the north
A3 from Frankfurt/M. at the motorway junction Nuremberg on the A9 direction Berlin/Dresden. Exit Lauf/Hersbruck. Continue straight on (approx. 6 km) to the roundabout. Take the first exit towards Henfenfeld. In Henfenfeld opposite the church turn left to the castle. There are plenty of parking spaces available.
From the south
From the A9 from Munich take the Lauf/Hersbruck exit. Continue straight on until you reach the roundabout. Take the first exit towards Henfenfeld. In Henfenfeld opposite the church turn left to the castle. There are plenty of parking spaces available.
From the east
From the A9 from Dresden take the Lauf/Hersbruck exit. Continue straight on until you reach the roundabout. Take the first exit towards Henfenfeld. In Henfenfeld opposite the church turn left to the castle. There are plenty of parking spaces available.

By train
hey arrive at the main station in Nuremberg. Take the S-Bahn, line S1, direction Hartmannshof. Get off at Henfenfeld station and follow the route as described here. It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the castle.

When does the course start?
The first day of the course is also the arrival day. The course usually starts at 16:00 ( 4 PM)  with a short tour of the castle and orientation. After that there will be enough time to warm-up before the course begins with an informative audition. On the first evening there will be a dinner together. The exact times can be found in the course documents.

When does the course end?
Most courses end with a public concert in the Red Hall. The concert takes place at 17:00 (5 PM) and lasts about one hour. Afterwards the departure takes place.

Do I have to sing at the final concert?
The concert is an important part of the course. The teacher expects all course participants to perform the concert together. In case of illness it is of course a pity, but understandable, if participation is not possible. If you are unable to attend due to professional reasons or have conflicting dates, please inform the head of the academy and the course instructor in good time.

Are there possibilities to practice in the castle?
Yes, there are enough practice rooms.

Are meals included?
One meal per day is included in the course fee: dinner on the day of arrival and a warm meal with salad (sometimes vegetarian, sometimes with meat or fish) on all course days. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to consider any food intolerances or special diets at lunch. If you need a special diet, you are welcome to store your own food in the kitchen. A reduction of the course fee is not possible in the case of meals not eaten.

Can I shop in Henfenfeld?
In Henfenfeld there is a bakery, Erikas "Schmankerl-Laden" and Mrs. Kreusels "Hofladen". These shops cover a basic need for food, but are not open every day or the whole day. There is a supermarket (Lidl) in the neighbouring town of Hersbruck right next to the railway station. To do this, take the S-Bahn to Hersbruck for one stop.

Can I stay at the castle? Is overnight accommodation included in the course fee?
The accommodation is not included in the course fee. There are several providers of private rooms and apartments in Henfenfeld. A list of the accommodations will be sent with the course documents. Prices range from 15€ to 25€ per night, depending on the provider.

Can I book half a course?
This is not possible. If you miss a day, it may be possible for the teacher to make up for the lesson, but it cannot be guaranteed.

What does a master class bring me?
In a master class you spend an intensive time in which you and your voice is the center of attention. You have daily lessons and above all a lively exchange of experiences with other singers, colleagues and lecturers. Those who listen to other participants learn a lot about other literature, get to know exercises that can also be interesting and exciting for themselves.
A master class is a nice break from everyday life. You can concentrate completely on the music and your singing technique. In no time at all you will be completely in the world of music. An atmosphere is created in which a lot can be learned and you can further your singing and your career.

How many lessons do I get per day? Am I on every day?
Each participant receives individual tuition every day, as well as additional répétition with Academy Director Denette Whitter for most courses. There is often an internal audition training at the end of the day. Here you can show the teachers and other students what you have learned in class. On the last day there is also an individual private consultation with the course instructor.

May I listen to the other course participants?
Yes, all lessons are open to all course participants. This is where you often learn the most and should be taken advantage of.

Can I pay the course fee in installments?
Yes, this is possible by arrangement. However, the course must be paid in full by the start of the course. Please contact Denette Whitter, Academic Director, for further information.