VAL 4. Experience in an opera production: strings

Title/s to be announced

Period of the EOA module in 2023 – 2024:

From 01 February to 30 April 2024 (Easter holidays from 29 March to 08 April 2024)

Description of the EOA module:

  • Specific training working in the preparation of a fully staged opera production (title to be announced).
  • This includes:
    • Spanish language training
    • Working with the orchestra and conductors
    • Ensemble rehearsals with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers
    • Dress rehearsal with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers

Opera performances in our Auditorium and other venues

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:

  • Conductors: Jesús Cantos, Juan Pablo Hellín
  • Stage director: Jaume Martorell

Possible extras besides the module:

  • Masterclasses
  • Participation in other projects, with concerts at several venues:
    • Symphony orchestra
    • Chamber orchestra
    • Chamber music ensembles
    • Contemporary ensemble
  • Attending opera performances at Palau de les Arts
  • Exchange and collaboration with other students of the Conservatory working on the same production

Open to: 

  • All string players: violins, violas, cellos, violoncellos and double-basses

Number of teaching/production hours of the EOA module:

Teaching: The first 8 weeks

  • Spanish language training
  • Working with the orchestra and conductors in different projects
  • Working with the opera orchestra and conductors as well as the singers and choir

Production: The following 4 weeks

  • Ensemble rehearsals with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers
  • Dress rehearsal with the orchestra, stage director, conductor, choir and singers

Opera performances in our Auditorium and other venues

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

Deadline:

  • First: June 01 2023
  • Second: September 15 2023

Date for expected answers:

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

Description of the final Examination:

  • Public performance
  • Permanent Artistic Evaluation

Teaching language:

Spanish and English

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

PAR 4. 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 Application, 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 applications:

  • 1st deadline: 08 May 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 15 October 2023

Date for applications

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

LOD 1. CPL – Contemporary Performance Laboratory

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

  • 15 Feb – 31 May 2024

Module allows to use all potential of vocal and kinaesthetic art in the area of contemporary music including performative arts like improvised singing, dancing and acting. Module is strongly connected with expanding voice and body abilities during an artistic creation. Inspired by postulate of Jerzy Grotowski and his Laboratory Theater the module will give to the young artist an extraordinary way of creating a role by using all the gamut of stage expression. The module is dedicated to singers and dancers. The module is based on discovering an archetypical primeval intentions and visions as a main factor in creating an artistic performance.

Module includes singing and dance lesson, musical improvisation, movement and dance improvisation, performative arts laboratory, working with piano coach, full breath&body&mind workshop, history of modern music educational programme.

EOA students will be offered a tailor-made programme:

Singing and dancing lessons.

Performative actions including improvised singing, dance and acting in the area of contemporary music

Names of the professors of this module:

  • Urszula Kryger
  • Beata Zawadzka-Kłos
  • Anna Werecka
  • Piotr Miciński
  • Przemysław Rezner
  • Agnieszka Łuczyńska
  • Barczak

Minimum and maximum number of students:

2 – 6 max

Kind of voice and role:

Every kind of voice

Every type of dancer (classical, modern)

Deadline for application and requirements:

  • 08 May 2023
  • Recordings (DVD, YouTube), application form, artistic CV

Description of the final examination

  • Public performance of opera fragment/s

 

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

  • Module is available within an Erasmus exchange (SMS or SMP).

Note! Please, contact your Erasmus office as early as possible in order to be qualified in time for Erasmus scholarship.

  • Module could be also available as postgraduate studies. The fee is then approx. 2000 EUR (travel and living costs not included).

Number of ECTS:

25 ECTS

Student: 

Singer

Language: 

English, Italian, German

Activity:

Training / Operatic practice / Performance

GEN 4. So British!

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

From 22-04-2024 to 23-06-2024

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: 08 May 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 01 September 2023

Date for expected answers:

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

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 (Students will be part of a 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: 08 May 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 01 September 2023

Date for expected answers:

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

FLO 2. The Maestro Collaboratore (Vocal coach)

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

  • 01 February 2024 – 04 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 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 months 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 08 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 score in Italian (only word or pdf file, please, or link to personal artistic website)

By May 15, 2023, candidates will receive a response about selection. If successfully selected, students will be required to confirm their choice before June 30.

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

VAL 3. Repetiteur training (pianists)

(Title to be announced)

Period of the EOA module in 2023 – 2024:

  • From 15 January to 30 April 2024 (Easter holidays from 29 March to 08 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 beside 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: 01 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

OSL 2. Opera repetiteur

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

15 January 15 – 15 April, 2024

Content:

Opera repetiteur studies with focus on Italian and Russian opera repertoire

Name(s) of the professor(s):

  • Olesya Tutova
  • Luca de Marchi

Possible extras in addition to this module:

  • movement classes
  • acting classes
  • language classes
  • audition training
  • vocal coaching

Estimated total of extras: up to 12 ECTS credits

Open for:

1-2 pianists

MAA 1. Performance of a role in a fully staged opera with orchestra

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

January – February – March 2024

Period of production:
  • First Musical Rehearsal: 22 January 2024
  • Generals: 01 and 02 March 2024
  • Performances (and exams): 04 and 05 March 2024

Description of the EOA module:

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: 

Hänsel und Gretel  by E. Humperdinck

Kind of voice and role:

  • 2 baritones: The father
  • 1-2 mezzo soprano: The mother

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.

Deadline for applications:

 

  • 1st deadline: 08 May 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 15 October 2023

Deadline for expected answers: 

  • 1st deadline: 01 June 2023
  • 2nd deadline: 15 October 2023

HAM 1. Singing and acting, German/Italian Repertoire

Period of the EOA module in 2023-2024:

  • April – May – June 2024 (summer semester)

Open for:

1-3 vocal students

Content:

  • 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, 2024: Rehearsals start
  • May 12th, 2024: Premiere
  • June 03rd, 2024: 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)

Participation in opera production

Communication language:

German and English