Coaching

PAR 4. Piano Accompaniment and Opera Coaching (Pianists, Traineeship for pianists)

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

ERASMUS students (STT) may choose mobility of a minimum 3 – maximum 6 months during the academic year 2023-2024

Content:

This module offers an entirely specific traineeship for piano accompaniment of voice and opera scenes, designed for pianists who consider a future in the world of opera by adding to their curriculum a first work experience in this various and challenging environment. Trainees will accompany singers on the piano in different settings:

  • singing lessons,
  • scenic interpretation lessons,
  • staging
  • preparation for exams and concerts and during public performances. This always under supervision of a tutor.

The goal is to improve the knowledge of opera repertoire and to practice the specific skills requested.

The trainee will receive weekly tasks from the coordinator of piano accompaniment.

A module for professional pianists who wish to broaden their knowledge of the operatic repertoire in compliance with all the specific attitudes. With a full immersion into Italian opera together with the opportunity to develop the best practice in Italian language applied to opera. To exercise, develop and improve their skills as a pianist in accompanying different voice parts. 

Speciality of this module, in comparison with other courses in Europe

A full immersion into Italian opera and the opportunity to develop the best practice in the Italian language applied to opera. Choice of repertoire (title and characters) according to student’s needs. Exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory (from all over the world) working on the same repertoire.

A unique opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the rich operatic music culture of the territory, attending places of unique musical interest within the Conservatory (Musical Section of Libreria Palatina, Boito’s Studio and Toscanini’s Studio) or in the immediate nearby of it (the Library of the Istituto Nazionale di Studi Verdiani, the Museo dell’Opera, the Casa della

Musica etc).

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Nicola Mottaran (Coordinator of Piano accompaniment) Fabio Ferrucci (Tutor)
  • Teaching staff  (Piano Accompaniment Teachers)  from the Singing and Music Theatre Department of the Conservatory.

Possible extras in addition to this module:

Upon request a little tour of the main “music treasures” of Verdi’s land: the birthplace of Verdi and Villa Sant’Agata, the Toscanini Museum, the world-renowned Teatro Regio, the beautiful Teatro Farnese (17th century), the Casa del Suono, etc. Opportunity to join Italian Course level A2+B1 in the first semester or English Course level B1 or B2 in second semester. October is the month of the Parma Verdi Festival. Facilities are offered to enrolled students who want to experience a show at the Teatro Regio and/or other planned locations.

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

1-5 (no max limit)

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module

  • Semester 200 hours (about 10 hours per week)

Number of ECTS within master accreditation

Depending on the effective number of hours

Entrance examination:

Online examination through the Application, that needs to include

  • CV
  • Repertoire
  • Videos
  • Motivational letter (optional)

Final examination:

30-minute performance in piano accompaniment of voice (and/or opera scenes)

Teaching language/Required level of language

Italian (min A2 to be improved) and English (B2)

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price

Erasmus students (SMS) only. No extra fees.

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 1 September 2023. Answers on 15 September 2023
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GEN 4. So British!

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

From 22 April to 23 June 2024

Open for:

  • 1-4 students

Content:

At the centre of this module is a fully staged opera production with orchestra of The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten. Students will prepare their roles with students studying on the repetiteur course and their respective teachers whilst receiving regular singing lessons from teachers in our vocal department.

Special attention will be paid to English pronunciation through individual diction lessons. 

At the beginning of May 2024, students also have the possibility of participating in a masterclass centering on operatic repertoire and art song in English.

Pianists who wish to join this module will be coached by teachers of collaborative piano course, take part in the English repertoire master class and also play in the rehearsals during the production of the Turn of the Screw. 

Kind of voice and role:

The singers can apply for these roles:

  • The Governess
  • Mrs Grose
  • Miss Jessel
  • Quint

Speciality of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe:

An opportunity for singers and pianists to perfect their knowledge of the English repertoire and to participate as a soloist/repetiteur in a full-scale production of The Turn of the Screw by Benjamin Britten.

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Stuart Patterson, vocal studies, master class
  • Susanne Schimmack, vocal studies
  • Yves Coudray, stage director
  • Sacha Michon, diction
  • Nina Uhari and James Alexander, musical coaching for the singers and the pianists

Possible extras:

  • This module is open for Alumni students who have graduated in 2022 at the latest
  • Possibility to follow opera rehearsals at the Grand Théâtre de Genève

Number of ECTS:

24 ECTS

Entrance examination:

Required repertoire:

  • If the participant would like to audition for the production/scenic project, he/she should send a good quality video with an English aria by 15th of May 2023.

Description of the final examination:

  • Progress examination
  • and final public performance (only in Full time module)

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/ excluded in this price:

  • Full time module: free for students in Erasmus Programme (Swiss Mobility Programme)

Communication language:

English and French

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 1 September 2023. Answers on 15 September 2023
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GEN 3. So Baroque!

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

From 19-02-2024 to 19-04-2024

Open for:

1-4 vocal students (choir)

Content:

This module, in collaboration with the Department of Ancient Music of the Haute École de Musique de Genève is built around the production of St. John’s Passion by J.S. Bach conducted by Ton Koopman.

It gives the opportunity for singers to sharpen their skills on the baroque repertoire through vocal coaching, baroque coaching, seminars and participation in the choir for this project of St John’s

Passion.

The students will take individual lessons with internationally renowned artists and pedagogues focusing on style, ornamentation and baroque vocality.

The seminar “Music, Education, Society: Bach’s St John’s Passion” will serve as a preparatory session for the St John Passion project conducted by Ton Koopman, which will take place in March 2024. Two internationally-known Bach scholars will join us for a day of in-depth presentations and discussions, focusing on the life and times of J.S. Bach. Special emphasis will be placed on the musical architecture of St John’s Passion and recent research into an historically-informed approach to this repertoire.

Kind of voice and role:

All voices

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Ton Koopman, conductor
  • Stephan MacLeod, vocal coaching
  • Andreas Wolf, vocal coaching
  • Franck Marcon, baroque coaching
  • Elizabeth Dobbin, seminars

Number of ECTS:

24  ECTS

100 hours

Entrance examination: Required repertoire:

General entrance examination requests. Check the Application form.

Description of the final examination:

Progress examination

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/ excluded in this price:

Full time module: free for students in Erasmus Programme (Swiss Mobility Programme)

Communication language:

French, English

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 1 September 2023. Answers on 15 September 2023

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FLO 2. The Maestro Collaboratore (Vocal coach)

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

  • 1 February 2024 – 4 May 2024

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. Piano accompanying lesson 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:

  1. Two Opera vocal scores in Italian, from Mozart to Puccini
  2. A group arias in Italian, including recitativos and/or cabalettas, if present
  3. A group of Italian Art songs

Participants:

Pianist / vocal coach

Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe:

We give the participants the possibility to develop their skills as a vocal coach (maestro collaboratore). Our teachers and coaches have a long experience in the tuition of international students, as in our Vocal studies Faculty more than 50% of students are from all the continents. Being in Firenze (Dante’s home town) allows you to absorb the good “reference” Italian diction directly from the people you will meet in the street, as the Florentine language is the basis of the modern Italian language.

Additionally, a production on stage with full scenes and costumes (with piano and small chamber group accompaniment) of DONIZETTI’s L’elisir d’amore at Teatro Niccolini (Firenze), at the end of March 2024, with the participation of the EOA students as either soloist or choir (singers) and accompanists (maestro collaboratore).

Name(s) of the professor(s):

  • Piano and Vocal Coaching Teachers: Andrea Severi, Antonella Bellettini, Ulla Casalini, Anna Toccafondi, Elisabetta Sepe, Daniela Freschi, Marco Bargagna, Elisabetta Sepe
  • History of Opera: Guglielmo Pianigiani
  • Art song practise/ Italian diction for coaches: Leonardo De Lisi

Possible extras:

  • Masterclass with renown singers and opera
  • Free entrance to rehearsals at Teatro del Maggio Musicale
  • A short programme (incl. city tour) concentrating on special ‘musical’ aspects of the city: Palazzo Pitti (where the first opera ever was staged in 1600, Peri’s “L’Euridice”), Accademia Bartolomeo Cristofori (historic pianos), Museo degli Uffizi, Galleria dell’Accademia,

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students: 1/6

Number of teaching/production hours: Up to 20 hours/week

Number of ECTS within master:

3-month Module will award 24 ECTS

  • “Piano accompaniment lessons” 1-to-1 6 ECTS
  • “Repertoire practice lessons” 1-to1 3 ECTS
  • “Conducting techniques for opera coaches” 3 ECTS
  • “Italian Diction for singers/coaches” 3 ECTS
  • “History of Opera” 3 ECTS
  • “Art song practise” 6 ECTS

ONLY Erasmus mobilities for Studies or Traineeship from EOA partners will be accepted

Entrance examination:

Before 8 May 2023, by email erasmus@consfi.it only:

  1. Please, send a link to a recent performance of yours (from not more than 1 year ago) including at least:
  • ONE piano solo piece of free choice or TWO Lieder (or Art Songs) accompanying a singer
  • ONE operatic aria or scene, accompanying a singer
  1. A brief curriculum and a complete list of studied operatic vocal scores in Italian (only word or pdf file, please, or link to personal artistic website)

By 8 June 2023, candidates will receive a response about selection. If successfully selected, students must confirm their choice before 22 June 2023.

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.

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included / excluded in this price:

Erasmus mobility: no tuition fee

ONLY Erasmus mobilities for studies or traineeship from EOA partners will be accepted

Contact person:

Prof. Leonardo De Lisi

e-mail: erasmus@consfi.it

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VAL 3. Repetiteur training (pianists)

(Title to be announced)

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

  • From 15 January 2024 to 30 April 2024 (Easter holidays from 29 March to 8th April 2024)

Description of the EOA module:

Specific training as repetiteur working in the preparation of a fully staged opera production (title to be announced).

This includes:

  • Attendance at individual Singing and Repertoire lessons of the cast. Vocal coaching
  • Language training
  • Musical rehearsals with the conductor and singers
  • Stage rehearsals with the stage director, the conductor and the singers
  • Chorus rehearsals with the chorus director

 Kind of voice and role (Title and roles to be announced):

  • Tenor
  • Baritone
  • Bass

Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses:

Valencia is a major cultural centre and encourages immersion into the professional opera and music scene:  Palau de les Arts Opera House, concerts and presentations by major international musicians,..

In addition, there are many events and festivals throughout the year (i.e. Las Fallas). With a rich history in modern architectural masterpieces (City of Arts and Sciences), Valencia’s deep, multicultural roots, cosmopolitan flavor, and warm climate to make it a true Mediterranean gem.

Also, Valencia is one of Spain’s (and Europe’s) most affordable cities for student accommodation.

Names of the professors of this module:

  • Singing: Gloria Fabuel, Carlos López Galarza, Pilar Moral, Amparo Quevedo, Ofelia Sala, Charo Vallés
  • Opera coaches: Laïla Barnat, Carles Budó, Pablo García-Berlanga, Adrià Gràcia, Diego Sánchez, Miquel Carbonell, Francesc Gamón
  • Conductor: Juan Pablo Hellín
  • Stage director: Jaume Martorell, Araceli Bergillos

Possible extras besides the module

  • Masterclasses
  • Concerts at different venues in Valencia
  • Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts
  • Exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production.

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students

  • Minimum 1 student
  • Maximum 3 students

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

Teaching: The first 9 weeks

  • Working with the singing teachers
  • Working with the opera coaches
  • Working with the conductor and vocal coaches
  • Working with the stage director and vocal coaches

Production: The following 4 weeks

  • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and conductor
  • Ensemble rehearsals with the singers and stage director

 

Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

25 ECTS

Entrance examination:

Contact the coordinator:

Charo Vallés

master.opera@csmvalencia.es

The materials to submit with your application are:

  • CV
  • Repertoire
  • Two Videos (it can be a link to YouTube or any other platform)

Deadline:

  • 1st deadline: 1 June  2023
  • 2nd deadline: 15 September 2023

Date for expected answers:

  • 1st deadline: 15 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 30 September 2023

Description of the final Examination:

Public performance of a fully staged chamber opera at the Concert Hall of the Conservatory Superior of Music

Teaching language:

Spanish, English, Italian, French and German

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price:

  • Free for students in Erasmus Programme
  • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange
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STO 2. Site specific opera performance

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

Autumn semester 2023:

  • 28 August – 28 October 2023 (possible extension to 12/1 2024)
  • Open for: 1 to 3 vocal students

Content:

In this module, the singer students explore how working in other venues and spaces than the opera theatre can influence music-dramatic expression. The students work on selected Opera scenes with a stage director and an opera coach/pianist, and bring their work into the chosen venue to stage a performance for a small audience. The students, together with the teachers, take an active part in deciding how to use the chosen space and how to place the audience in the chosen space.  Recently the venue has been the “Reactor Hall” of the Stockholm institute of Technology, an underground former nuclear reactor plant, now an exciting cultural venue for the Institute of Technology. The module, besides the stage work in preparation for the performance, includes singing lessons, musical interpretation sessions. It also includes coaching in Italian lyric diction where appropriate to the chosen repertoire. The repertoire is for the performance is chosen in June and will be based on the vocal and dramatic needs of the students.

The module can be extended to include the entire term  into December with  work on a staged concert with conductor and piano or orchestra.

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Stina Ancker, Assistant professor of music dramatic performance
  • Martin Hellström, Assistant professor of musical performance

Number of ECTS:

13,5-30  ECTS

ca. 120 hours

Possible extras:

  • seminars on aspects of opera as an artform and of the opera singer’s profession
  • seminars on artistic research

Entrance examination:

We choose our EOA-students via recorded material. With the application we need recordings of sound and video. Formats:

  • Sound: Wav or AIFF
  • Video: Mov or mp4

Description of final examination:

  • Students are examined through the staged performance in the chosen space, through the staged concert and a subsequent reflective discussion in the group.

Teaching language/ Required level of language:

  • Communication language: EN, level 5

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included / excluded in this price:

  • There are no tuition fees for EU/EES citizens

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
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STO 1. Italian opera scenes – language, expression, communication

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

Autumn semester 2023:

  • 28th August – 28th of December 2023 (possible extension to 15th of January 2024)

Open for:

1-3 vocal students

Content:

Explore the connections between language, music, acting and movement through scenes from Italian Opera and recitative. You will work with language, musical performance, acting, vocal skills and stage movement in parallel, often with several teachers cooperating in the same session. The module will contain:

  • Investigation of the influence of language on stage thought, action and performance
  • vocal coaching and musical preparation of opera scenes in original language, individually and in group
  • Practical role analysis and stage work
  • Stage movement classes
  • An intensive course is focusing on the secco recitative. The course gives methods for preparation, musically and language-wise, as well as methods for achieving spontaneity and meaning in the performance of recitative through improvisational methods
  • Performing arias and select ensembles in a concert with an orchestra
  • Performing opera scenes with piano in our studio theatre

The repertoire is selected to suit the students in the course. The repertoire will be discussed and decided in June.

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Patrik Sörling, stage director, assistant professor of stage movement
  • Giuseppina Penta, language coach, senior lecturer of Italian lyric diction
  • Christine Morgan, assistant professor of musical interpretation

Number of ECTS:

13,50-30 ECTS

ca. 120 hours

Possible extras besides the module:

  • Seminars on opera as an art form and the opera singer’s profession with invited guests from the professional field
  • Seminars on performance psychology for singers

Entrance examination:

We choose our EOA-students via recorded material. With the application we need recordings of sound and video. Formats:

  • Sound: Wav or AIFF
  • Video: Mov or mp4

Description of the final Examination:

Students are examined through the performance of the Italian opera scenes, the concert with orchestra and a reflective seminar.

Teaching language/ Required level of language:

Communication language: EN, level 5

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included / excluded in this price:

  • There are no tuition fees for EU/EES citizen

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
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PAR 3. Piano Accompaniment and Opera Coaching (pianists, training)

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

ERASMUS students (SMS and STT) may choose a mobility within one semester (or both)

  • Winter Semester: 1 October 2023 – 2nd week of February 2024
  • Spring Semester: 3rd week of February 2024 – 30th June 2024

Content:

This module guides the student to master the complex and difficult art of the piano accompaniment in opera.

  • Performance practice and repertoire (individual lessons, on specific operas according to student’s needs and choices, main opera repertoire, analysis, study and practice on chosen opera scores, different (vocal) accompaniment techniques according to different music styles)
  • Répétiteur and coach techniques (theoretical and practical lessons on the basso continuo, as a stage-rehearsal accompanist, how to play under direction)
  • Specialized practice (vocal repertoire: chamber music and opera scores)
  • Score playing (reading piano- and orchestra opera scores)
  • Little practical internship in Singing lessons and Scenic Art lessons (different needs, different skills)
  • Possible participation in Masterclass(es), essays and concerts as a piano accompanist.

Classes will be held in Italian and English.

ERASMUS students might have to choose other courses, among those annually proposed by the Conservatory, to reach the total number of required credits.

Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe

This module represents a perfect opportunity to get to know and experience the tools to become an Opera accompanist, in a welcoming atmosphere of exchange and collaboration with the other students of the Conservatory, from all over the world.

A unique chance to fully immerse themselves in the rich operatic music culture of the territory, attending places of unique musical interest, within the Conservatory (Musical Section of Libreria Palatina, Boito’s Studio and Toscanini’s Studio) or in the immediate nearby of it (the Library of the Istituto Nazionale di Studi Verdiani, specialized in 19th century opera and music in general, with particular emphasis on the life and work of Giuseppe Verdi, the Museo dell’Opera, the Casa della Musica, Teatro Regio, etc.).

Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:

  • Nicola Mottaran (Coordinator of Piano accompaniment) Fabio Ferrucci (Tutor)
  • Teaching staff (Piano Accompaniment Teachers)  from the Singing and Music Theatre Department of the Conservatory.

Possible extras in addition to this module:

Upon request a little tour of the main “music treasures” of Verdi’s land: the birthplace of Verdi and Villa Sant’Agata, the Toscanini Museum, the worldrenowned Teatro Regio, the beautiful Teatro Farnese (17th century), the Casa del Suono, etc. Opportunity to join Italian Course lev. A2+B1 in the first semester or English Course level B1 or B2 in second semester. October is the month of the Parma Verdi Festival. Facilities are offered to enrolled students who want to experience a show at the Teatro Regio and/or other planned locations.

Minimum and maximum number of EOA students – max 2

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module

60h of teaching/ per semester

Number of ECTS within master accreditation:

Min 24 ECTS/semester (but possibly increasing according to the Learning Agreement)

Entrance examination:

Online examination through the EOA website Application form, that needs to include

  • CV
  • Repertoire
  • Videos
  • Motivational letter (optional)

Final examination:

  • 30 minutes performance in piano accompaniment of voice (and/or opera scenes) 

Teaching language/Required level of language

Italian (min A2 to be improved) and English (B2)

Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price

Erasmus students (SMS) only. No extra fees.

Deadline for application:

  • 1st deadline: 8 May 2023. Answers from EOA are expected on 8 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 1 September 2023. Answers on 15 September 2023
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