Period of the EOA module in 2025-2026:
- 02 February 2026 – 04 May 2026 (TBC)
Meet the Italian Belcanto tradition in the town that hosted the first operatic creation. An all-Italian experience on the operatic repertoire from Baroque to Verdi and Puccini. Voice lessons on style and technique, repertoire study with vocal coaches, Italian language and diction class, Opera class with acting and staging seminars, final concert with semi-staged performance of full operatic scenes.
Study repertoire:
- One leading role from an Opera in Italian
- A group of 3-4 arias in Italian, including recitativos and/or cabalettas if present and full scenes and ensembles from operas (duos, trios, quartets, concertato finale, etc.)
Participants:
All voice types
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe
We give the participants the possibility to develop their skills in the Italian language and diction in a very practical approach. We will concentrate on interpretation and performance of the most important Italian belcanto styles, from the early baroque “recitar-cantando”, the classic recitativo secco, accompagnato and virtuoso arias, to the Romantic “solita scena” (scena, aria and cabaletta) until the declamatory style of the late 19th century composers (Verismo), depending on each singers vocal and musical needs. Our teachers and coaches have a long experience in the tuition of international students, as in our Vocal studies Faculty more than 50% of singers are from all the continents. Being in Firenze (Dante’s home town) allows you to absorb the good “reference” Italian diction directly from our academy but also from the people you will meet in every day life, as the Florentine language is the basis of the modern Italian language.
Additionally, a production on stage (with piano and/or small instrumental ensemble accompaniment) of HAYDN’s “Il mondo della luna” / GALUPPI “Il mondo della luna” (both on a libretto by Carlo Goldoni) at Villa Favard di Rovezzano (Firenze) and /or another stage in Tuscany (to be confirmed), with the participation of both Conservatorio Cherubini and the 2026 EOA students as either soloist or choir (singers).
Date of performances: May 2026 (to be confirmed).
Please, if you interested to participate, make sure to include in your application the link of a video performance of at least one 18th century recitativo and aria in Italian.
We will award extra 6ECTS to soloist participants and 3CTS to choir members. If the performance should be put off in late May or June or even in Fall 2026, we will arrange to extend Erasmus mobility (upon acceptance of your home Institutions) and/ or fund the extra travel /accomodation expenses, if you need to come back to Firenze.
Both operas have a cast of:
- 2 – 3 sopranos
- 1- 2 mezzos
- 2 tenors
- 1- 2 (high) baritones
- 1 basso (bass-baritone) buffo
- 8 voices choir.
Both soloist casts could be double, in the presence of a sufficient number of selected participants. There could be also some “covers”.
Calendar:
- Easter break April 02 – 07 2026 / National holidays: April 25 & May 1, 2026.
- We give lessons from Mondays to Saturdays. Welcome day February 02 2026, at 2pm
Names of the professors
- Voice teachers: Ester Castriota, Donatella Debolini, Gianni Fabbrini, Nemi Bertagni, M. Constanza Nocentini, Roberta Invernizzi (Baroque singing)
- Repertoire coaches: Antonella Bellettini, Elisabetta Benvenuti, Ulla Casalini, Daniela Freschi, Elisabetta Sepe, Andrea Severi, Anna Toccafondi
- Opera class / Acting: Francesco Torrigiani
- Italian Diction: Francesco Torrigiani, Leonardo De Lisi
- History of Opera: Guglielmo Pianigiani
- Barroque vocal ensemble: Santina Tomasello
- Chamber music & vocal ensembles: Leonardo De Lisi
Possible extras:
Masterclass with renowned singers, agents, conductors or opera directors.
Free entrance to rehearsals at Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Observing all classes at the Conservatorio Cherubini and attendance at all various events.
Minimum and maximum number of EOA students:
4/12
Number of teaching / production hours:
Up to 20-24 hours/week
Number of ECTS within master:
3 months Module will award 24 ECTS
- “Voice lessons 1-to-1” lessons, 6 ECTS
- “Repertoire coaching with pianist” 1-to-1 lessons, 3 ECTS
- “Opera class” (opera scenes staging) 3 ECTS
- “Italian Diction for singers” lecture 3 ECTS
- “History of Opera” 3 ECTS
- “Chamber music & vocal ensemble” group, 3 ECTS
- “Baroque vocal ensemble” group, 3 ECTS
- “Other activities” (performance of concerts and / or attendance to seminars/masterclasses), 2 ECTs
- “Opera production” (upon selection), soloist 6 ECTs / choir 3 ECTs
Erasmus mobilities for Studies or Traineeship and any other participants from EOA partners (within the consortium) will get preferred selection.
Participants from outside the EOA consortium will be accepted only if we have any left over spot after selecting the Erasmus participants. The non-Erasmus participants not from the EOA consortium will be asked to enroll three “corsi singoli”, two for 1-to-1 lessons (Voice lessons and repertoire coaching) and one for groups activities (Opera class and Italian diction). The tuition fee will be calculated after the end of selections.
Entrance examination:
Apply through the EOA site platform and make sure that you upload at least:
- two video links with two arias in Italian (possibly with recitativo) of contrasting styles
- A brief CV in Italian or in English/French/German/Spanish/Portuguese
- A short list of repertoire that you would like to study in Firenze.
We accept both Erasmus mobilities for study or traineeship (including recent graduated participants), ask you Erasmus office at your academy.
Applications deadline:
- 1st deadline: 05 May 2025 (selection results due by 21 June 2025)
- 2nd deadline: 01 September 2025 (be aware that the open spots for students in our classes will be greatly reduced, since we do not use a 2 semesters calendar).
If you need more information, write to Prof. Leonardo De Lisi l.delisi@consfi.it
Description of the final Examination:
- Module: Semi-staged operatic scenes and recital with arias/songs in public concerts at the end of the module
- Erasmus mobility : each class will award a note of evaluation by the teacher and ECTs
Teaching language/ Required level of language:
- Italian (main)
- English (secondary)
- We require that EOA students have a minimum B1 Italian language level. The best way to enjoy the full experience comes from a basic knowledge of Italian language, that will also be necessary during group classes and production, when teachers and conductor will speak Italian only.
Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included / excluded in this price:
Erasmus mobility: Paticipants from EOA consortium institution: no tuition fee / only €4,50 for insurance
Non-Erasmus mobility / Participants from outside the EOA consortium: tuition fee for 3 “corsi singoli” to be agreed upon after selection (June 2025) + €4,50 for insurance
Contact person:
- Prof. Giorgio Albiani (for all kind of Erasmus procedures) e-mail: erasmus@consfi.it
- Pror.ssa Donatella Debolini (Head of the Voice Department) e-mail: d.debolini@consfi.it
- Prof. Leonardo De Lisi (information about didactics /artistic matters) e-mail: l.delisi@consfi.it
