HIGH-LEVEL IMPROVEMENT COURSES FOR OPERA SINGERS
Martina Franca (Taranto, Italy)
With the collaboration of the Festival della Valle d'Itria
Poster download (file PDF)
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Alberto Triola
Stefania Bonfadelli
Lella Cuberli
Juliette Deschamps
Antonio Greco
Sherman Lowe
Roberta Mameli
Nikos Lagousakos
Fabio Luisi |
Ettore Papadia
Alessandro Patalini
Paola Pittaluga
Sonia Prina
Vincenzo Rana
Carmen Santoro
Benedetto Sicca
Vittorio Terranova |
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COURSE OBJECTIVE and STRUCTURE
The Accademia del Belcanto “Rodolfo Celletti”’ in Martina Franca is promoted and organised by the Fondazione Paolo Grassi, in collaboration with the Festival della Valle d'Itria. It was set up in 2010 to provide young lyrical singers with a highly specific training on the various aspects of vocal technique and performance of the Italian Belcanto repertoire (from Monteverdi to proto-Romanticism), comprising of analysis and practice of the various styles of Western musical theatre, including many expressions of modernity. The course also includes various practical workshops, applied to specific Belcanto techniques and aesthetics: from seventeenth-century recitar cantando to expressions of the Apulian and Neapolitan school; from coloratura techniques to variations in early nineteenth-century Italian Belcanto tradition. During the 2014 edition of the Festival della Valle d’Itria, students will have the opportunity of gaining specific practical experience, thus enriching their training. They will be guided by great supervisors, prominent interpreters and concert-masters. Particular importance will also be given to physical and acting training, and to correct, accurate Italian diction – necessary characteristics for today’s ‘acting singers’ engaged in conveying the essential theatrical dimension of opera. Starting from 2013, the Academy’s academic scheme also includes a section specialising in an in-depth analysis of Baroque Belcanto, with prestigious master-classes and valuable one-to-one lessons for young performers with a particular interest in, and inclination towards, this kind of repertoire. This specific, personalised course is enriched with opportunities for practical work experiences during the 2014 edition of the Festival. Alberto Triola, the artistic director of the Festival della Valle d’Itria and of the ‘Accademia del Belcanto’, will coordinate the activities of internationally renowned teachers and artists.
CALENDAR
For 2014 there will be three study sessions:
• the first session (from the 8th to the 16th March 2014) will be preparatory, and will include a selection of the students to be admitted to the course;
the second session (from the 28th April to the 3rd May 2014) will be dedicated to study; roles and repertoires will be assigned;
the third session (from 6th to 27th June 2014) will be dedicated to specific study. A selection of students identified as suited for the position will engage in a phase of practical work-experience within the 40th edition of the Festival della Valle d’Itria (www.festivaldellavalleditria.it).
It is mandatory to attend the whole academic year ie each of the three study sessions provided for the teaching plan.
SUBJECTS
The course for the academic year 2014 includes the following subjects: Art and technique of the recitative; Art and technique of seventeenth-century vocality; Art and technique of Belcanto coloratura; Art and technique of Baroque coloratura; Art and technique of variation; Verification of vocal techniques; Phonetics and diction; Study of sheet music; Awareness of breathing dynamics; Culture and profession of the operatic singer; Body training; Acting and performance technique; Stage presence/improvisation; Role analysis; Style applications: from Baroque to contemporary music vocality; Workshop: singing, performing practice, study of sheet music, acting; Performance master-class; Belcanto style master-class.
REQUIREMENTS and ENROLLMENT
Places for this course are limited; therefore admission is subject to selection procedures.
There are up to twenty-five places available for the course.
Students that have not been selected as active, however, can still attend training activities as listeners and, eventually, they may take the place of the selected students in case of any drop out.
The selection is open to applicants who will be no older than 32 year old (for sopranos/tenors) and 35 years old (for contraltos/baritones/basses). Exceptions due to particular merit may apply.
Applications must be sent by the 28th February 2014 (together with a full-figure photograph and an academic and professional CV) to the Fondazione Paolo Grassi, either by post at the following address: Via Metastasio, 20 - 74015 Martina Franca, (TA), or online by filling in the application form at the following address:
http://www.fondazionepaolograssi.it/registrazione-accademiabelcanto.aspx
SUBSCRIPTION FEES
Students admitted during the auditions must pay the following participation fees, which partially cover teaching, administrative and insurance costs:
- € 150,00 (one hundred and fifty/00) for the 1st session;
- € 150,00 (one hundred and fifty/00) for the 2nd session;
- € 500,00 (five hundred/00) for the 3rd session.
For listeners, participation fees are the following:
- € 80,00 (eighty/00) for the 1st session;
- € 80,00 (eighty/00) for the 2nd session;
- € 150,00 (one hundred and fifty/00) for the 3rd session.
LOCATION OF THE COURSE and ACCOMODATION
Lessons will take place mainly at the ‘Fondazione ‘Paolo Grassi’’ in Martina Franca. Practical work experience will take place, apart from the above-mentioned location, in the areas dedicated to the Festival della Valle d’Itria. Staff of the ‘Fondazione ‘Paolo Grassi’’ and the Artistic Direction will be happy to help with indications and support with solutions for accommodation at established rates.
INFO AND CONTACTS
Accademia del Belcanto “Rodolfo Celletti”
c/o Fondazione Paolo Grassi
Via Metastasio, 20
74015 - Martina Franca (TA), Italy
phone: +39 080 4306763
e-mail: accademia@fondazionepaolograssi.it
How to reach Martina Franca
