The Course is devoted to the study of bel canto, and aims to strengthen the technical and expressive foundation required to perform this repertoire which, while remaining within the Classical sphere, may span from recitar cantando (Monteverdi) to contemporary works (Menotti, etc.).

The number of participants in the 2020 course shall be limited to 12 active students.

To be admitted to the course, each applicant must pass the examination as described below and pay the corresponding attendance fee.

During the course, students will also be able to perfect further pieces of their choice. These must be indicated in advance on the registration form. For each piece, the candidate must provide copies of the scores in the original key for the teacher and for the collaborating pianist.

The possible performance of the final concert for this course will be subject to future government provisions.

The names of the two best students in the Course will be sent on to the Teatro Comunale of Bologna for possible involvement in future productions of the Opera Company there, depending upon the compatibility of the programmes scheduled for the Theatre and the characteristics and availability of the two candidates.

Pieces chosen for the entrance exam must be indicated on the application form.

For the online application for admission, the candidate must present, by memory, three pieces of their repertoire representing a diverse range of time periods (1600’s, 1700’s, 1800’s, 1900’s), styles (recitative, aria and cabaletta or A-B-A parts), and languages (at least one other, in addition to Italian). 

Given the exceptional nature of the current global health emergency, if applicants cannot perform their video audition with a pianist, it is possible to present the pieces required for the entrance exam without instrumental accompaniment.

In addition to tackling the classic program (arias, duets and ensemble pieces), the 2020 voice course will include the preparation and performance of the opera “La Serva Padrona” by Giovan Battista Pergolesi. The work will be carried out with the Orchestra Giovanile Italiana, in collaboration with the Orchestral Conducting Course, held and coordinated by Maestro Daniele Gatti. Therefore, in view of this representation, sopranos and basses are recommended to present the following program:

SOPRANOS: G.B. Pergolesi, Stizzoso, mio stizzoso, A Serpina penserete (Serpina arias from “La serva padrona”) and an aria of your choice from your repertoire

BASSES: G.B. Pergolesi, Son imbrogliato io già (aria by Uberto from “La serva padrona”) and two arias chosen from your repertoire