Autumn semester: 16 September 2024 – 31 January 2025
Spring semester: 03 February 2025 – 27 June 2025
Baroque opera studio – joint module in collaboration with Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. Baroque opera production in collaboration with the orchestra Collegium Musicum Riga.
Repertoire – Marco da Gagliano “La Dafne” /autumn semester/
Jacopo Peri “Euridice” /spring semester/
Names of the professors of this module
Maris Kupčs, Head of Early music department, Collegium Musicum Riga
The course will start at the beginning of the autumn term with one or two weekly rehearsals in sections, mostly singers with or without continuo. From October the rehearsals will include mostly the whole group, singers, and instrumentalists with continuo ending with a public performance at the end of October or beginning of November.
In February 2025, there will be an intensive early-baroque project based on the work begun in the autumn term. The theme will be operatic repertoire by 17th-century women composers. It is not obligatory to participate in both periods, as this might not be practical for exchange students, however it is recommended.
Description of the EOA module:
Collaborative music making with experts in Baroque interpretation. Sessions on ensemble singing, early baroque diminutions, Mixed ensemble work and working groups on various elements of early-baroque dramatic performance.
Voice lessons where all voice students work with a team of voice teachers in a collaborative learning environment.
Weekly Performance classes
Coaching
Lunchtime recitals at the Reykjavík Art Museums
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe:
The collaborative learning environment that is the core of the Voice Department gives you a unique opportunity to develop your individuality as a singing artist. You will build your vocal technique and interpretive skills while working with a team of expert voice teachers who work in tandem empowering you to clarify your goals and make your own choices.
Many performance opportunities give you valuable possibilities and practical experience in managing and leading projects. Working on baroque interpretation in an ensemble setting, and making music together with skilled professionals will give hands-on experience. The relatively small size of the music department makes it a very flexible learning environment and fertile ground for initiative and creative ideas.
Names of the professors of this module:
Hanna Dóra Sturludóttir (voice and performance)
Sigurður Halldórsson (music director)
Matthildur Anna Gísladóttir (coach, piano accompaniment)
1-4 vocal students (Soprano, Mezzo, Tenor, Baritone, Bass)
Content:
The module aims for students to work on performing a role and learn to co-operate with conductors, directors and other professional groups through the performances and participation on a fully staged opera.
The Opera for this year is still in negotiation with the National Theatre of Porto: TNSJand it will be fully announced soon.
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe
EOA students will participate in this fully staged work and will receive vocal coaching and acting to prepare the specific roles of this production. It will make the EOA student aware of the full teamwork and cooperation that an opera production requires, and it will make the singer aware of the interaction of all the EOA Modules 2024-2025, and how different areas are involved in an opera presentation (implementation of the set design, costumes, light, production, staging, orchestra, etc.)
Possible extras:
Students may attend one, or both, of these theoretical seminars on the subject of Opera and Performance:
Opera communication systems in history and in actuality: a sociological approach. Seminar given by Prof. Dr. Francisco Melo – Professor of History and Esthetics, at ESMAE
The Psychology of Performance – The underlying psychology to the study of operatic roles and other issues in opera. This Seminar will be given by Prof. Dr. Daniela Coimbra (PhD) – Professor on Psychology of Music, at ESMAE.
Besides that, Porto is a culturally interesting and beautiful city. Here you can profit from the musical and cultural activity at Casa da Música of Porto, a very active cultural point in the city, as well as the Teatro Nacional de São João, Rivoli Theatre and the Coliseum of Porto.
Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module
10 -12 hours of individual tuition & 45 hours of group work.
Number of ECTS
20 ECTS
Entrance examination
Video recording or link to video recording
Description of the final examination
Public performance on stage with piano.
Teaching language
English – level 3
Total expenses of the EOA
1) This module is available within Erasmus exchange (Master´s level) only during the academic year 20234/25.
2) Prices are applicable for 2024-2025.
3) Prices do not include travel or living expenses
ERASMUS students (SMS and STT) may choose a mobility within one semester (or both)
Winter Semester: 1 October 2024 – 2nd week of February 2025
Spring Semester: 3rd week of February 2025- 30 of June 2025
Description of the EOA Module
This module guides the student through a path of vocal and scenic interpretation of one or more scenes from eighteenth-century Opera Buffa’s repertoire: Pergolesi, Cimarosa, Paisiello or Rossini (preferably his “Farces in one act”)
Analysis, study and full understanding of the libretto(s) and character(s) chosen.
Vocal technique and style coaching in Opera Buffa repertoire.
Advanced Italian pronunciation and diction classes.
Specific lessons on Recitativo.
Individual coaching and group work: vocal and score lessons and group work on Scenic Art (Training of the actor’s body, physical and gestural laboratory).
Preparation for final exam and concert(s).
Classes will be held in Italian and English.
ERASMUS students have to choose other courses (e.g. Opera History, Poetic and Dramatic Literature, etc.) among those annually proposed by the Conservatory, to reach the total number of required credits.
Special attention will be given to the study of proper Italian diction and pronunciation with native Italian teachers, in building the chosen Opera Buffa character (both scenic and vocal) with full linguistic and stylistic background. Special focus on Recitativo.
Kind of voice and role
All kind of voices suited for Opera Buffa repertoire.
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe
A full immersion into Italian opera together with the opportunity to develop the best practice in 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).
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 English Course level B1 or B2 in second semester.
Open for:
Max 5
Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:
Romano Franceschetto, Lucetta Bizzi and Teaching staff (Vocal coach) from the Singing and Music Theatre Department of the Conservatory
Roberta Faroldi (diction and actor’s work)
Riccardo Mascia (Recitativo coach, Score and Repertoire)
Claudia Rondelli, Roberta Ropa, Laura Soracco, Luca Sabatino (Score and Repertoire)
Description of final examination:
Performance of an operatic full Opera Buffa scene in front of a jury. The examination may coincide with a public concert.
Number of teaching / teaching hours
60h of teaching (individual lessons + group lessons) 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 Application, that needs to include:
CV
Repertoire
Videos
Motivational letter (optional)
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 and STT) may choose a mobility within one semester (or both)
Winter Semester: 1 October 2024 – 2nd week of February 2025
Spring Semester: 3rd week of February 2024- 30 of June 2025
Description
This module guides the student through a path of vocal and scenic interpretation of one or more scenes from Verdi’s operas. They are planned as follows:
Analysis, study and full understanding of Verdi’s libretto(s) and character(s) chosen.
Vocal technique and style coaching in Verdi’s repertoire.
Advanced Italian pronunciation and diction classes.
Individual coaching and group work: vocal and score lessons, and group work on Scenic Art (Training of the actor’s body, physical and gestural laboratory).
Preparation for final exam and concert(s). Classes will be held in Italian and English.
ERASMUS SMS students have to choose other courses (e.g. Poetry for music and dramaturgy, Opera History etc.) among those annually proposed by the Conservatory, to reach the total number of required credits and complete the Learning Agreement.
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe
Special attention will be given to the study of proper Italian diction and pronunciation with native Italian teachers, in building the chosen Verdi’s character (both scenic and vocal) with full linguistic and stylistic background. Choice of repertoire according to student’s needs. Possible exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory 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, 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 etc.).
Kind of voice and role
All kind of roles, suited to Verdi repertoire
Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:
Donatella Saccardi, Lucetta Bizzi, Claudia Marchi and Teaching staff (Vocal coach) from the Singing and Music Theatre Department of the Conservatory
Roberta Faroldi (diction and actor’s work)
Claudia Rondelli, Roberta Ropa, Laura Soracco, Luca Sabatino (Score and Repertoire).
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.
Open for:
Max 2
Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module
60 hours of teaching (individual lessons + group lessons) per semester
Number of ECTS within master accreditation: depending to the effective number of hours done
Entrance examination:
Online examination through the Application, that needs to include:
CV
Repertoire
Videos: AT LEAST ONE VERDI!
Motivational letter (optional)
Description of final examination:
Performance of an operatic full Verdi scene in front of a jury. The examination may coincide with a public concert.
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
Perform a leading role in an opera. A complete opera production, starting with comprehensive musical rehearsals led by maestro Federico Santi followed by an intensive staging period, and resulting in performances of the complete work with orchestra.
This module will focus on the cohesion between musical style and stagecraft, allowing for character development from two different perspectives. The final performance should result in a fully realised character, both vocally and acting-wise.
Open for:
Min. 2 – Max. 4 singers from the EOA can participate, next to our own singing and acting students.
Title to be performed:
TBC
Kind of voice and role:
all
The module includes:
working with a (professional) conductor
a professional stage director
First 6 weeks include 15 hours of training by main subject teachers and opera coach.
Next 6 weeks working on the production
Names of the professors of this module:
Musical Director: Federico Santi
Conductor: Enrico Delamboye
Stage director: Barbara Haveman
Vocal coaches: Yvonne Schiffelers, Susanne Schimmack, Axel Everaert, Raimund Nolte
Possible extras besides the module:
individual vocal coaching on style, interpretation and applied technique by our vocal staff.
workshop dealing with artistic entrepreneurship, self-promotion via social media and branding will be offered. This will give young artists the tools and skills to develop their artistic careers and bring classical music to the core of society.
Number of teaching / production hours of the EOA module:
20-30 hours of production rehearsals per week
Application:
Via application form in EOA website. Keep in mind you will need to include:
CV
Repertoire list
2 Videos. NOTE: Repertoire for the application upon your choice.
Final Examination:
Permanent Artistic Evaluation + Public performance
Teaching language and Required level of language:
Working language will be English; the ability to work and rehearse with ease in English is required.
B2 level according to CEFR.
Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included / excluded in this price
Available through Erasmus. Living costs to be covered by applicant.
NOTE: This module is a continuation of LOD 1, and it is planned to happen in the first semester of the academic year 2025-2026. Check with your International Officer whether you will be eligible for Erasmus Grants in the academic year 2025-2026.
Description of the module:
Perform a role in a fully staged opera production “L’Egisto” by Francesco Cavalli. Professional training and preparations finalised with complete public performance with orchestra. Considering a short time of training we prefer students with high awarness of a baroque style and very good knowledge of musical material.
This includes:
Vocal coaching (theory of the affects, rhetoric, parlar cantando, performance practices of 17th century, early Italian ornamentation)
Acting
Language coaching
Musical rehearsals with the conductor/harpsichordist and orchestra
Stage rehearsals with the stage director.
Kind of voice and role:
Tenor – Egisto
Tenor – Hipparco
Soprano – Climene
Soprano – Clori
Soprano – L’Aurora/Amore/Ora prima
Soprano – Bellezza/Semele/Ora seconda
Soprano – Voluptia/Fedra/Ora terza
Soprano – Venere/Hero/Ora quarta
Mezzosoprano – Dema
Mezzosoprano – La Notte/Didone
Bass – Lidio
Bass – Apollo
Specialty of this module in comparison with other courses in Europe
The module gives the possibility of acquiring specialized training in the area of early baroque music.
Possible extras beside the module:
Baroque Program – supplementary seminars devoted to Theory of the Affects and Ornamentation
All concerts and events produced by University of Music in Lodz (free admission for EOA students)
Participation in selected concerts and activities of Vocal Department (upon your choice)
Number of teaching / production hours of the EOA module:
From 20-40 hours of production rehearsals per week
Teaching:
Working with the vocal coaches
Working with the conductor
Working with the stage director
Production:
Ensemble rehearsals with singers and the conductor
Ensemble rehearsals with singers and the stage director
Ensemble rehearsals with singers, orchestra, the conductor and the stage director
Number of ECTS:
25 ECTS
Minimum and maximum number of students:
1 – 12 max
Entrance examination:
Contact the coordinator:
Anna Werecka
anna.werecka-gryc@amuz.lodz.pl
The following attachments shall be submitted with the application:
CV
Repertoire list
Two videos (for example via YouTube)
Repertoire for the application:
one fragment of Cavalli’s Egisto or any piece from the early 17th century (Caccini, Monteverdi etc.)
one aria upon your choice.
Description of the final Examination
Public performance of a fully staged opera at the Concert Hall of the University of Music in Łódź. The premiere and the following performances will take place during the renowned AŻ Festival.
Deadline for application and requirements:
1st deadline: 30 April 2024
2nd deadline 15 September 2024
Date for expected answers:
1st deadline: 15 May 2024
2nd deadline: 30 September 2024
Total expenses of the EOA module per student and what is included/excluded in this price
Module is available within an Erasmus exchange.
Note! Please, contact your Erasmus office as early as possible in order to be qualified in time for Erasmus
scholarship. All qualified Erasmus candidates must be first nominated by the Erasmus office of the sending institution – international@amuz.lodz.pl
Module could be also available as postgraduate studies. The fee is then approx. 2000 EUR (travel and living costs not included).
German Repertoire (Lortzing – Mozart – Wagner) and Italian Repertoire (Monteverdi – Mozart – Bellini)
Role studies, ensemble studies; work on recitatives, accurate understanding of texts and sheet music, discussion of style and musical Gestus (gestures/attitude).
Theatrical and musical performance
Phonetics, dialogue training
At the end of the summer semester, a big opera production is staged with a professional orchestra and conductor, with a total of 9 performances at the academy’s theatre (450 seats)
The theatrical and musical performance subject is taught jointly by the theatrical performance lecturer and the lecturer for role studies. Exchange of views on key issues in music and staging. Interpretation of roles (character development), physical training.
Important dates related to the production:
April 1st, 2025: Rehearsals start
May 12th, 2025: Premiere
June 03rd, 2025: Last performance
Name(s) of the professor(s) of this module:
Willem Wentzel (Head of Music)
Siegfried Schwab (German Repertoire)
Fausto Nardi (Italian Repertoire)
Possible extras:
Possible participation in modern music theatre productions
A course in MusikTheaterRegie (MTR, music theatre direction)
Exchange and collaboration with MTR students
Number of ECTS:
9-14 teaching hours per week
20 ECTS (Approx.)
Description of the final examination:
Theatrical-musical performance of two music theatre scenes (aria and ensemble)
