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Staged Italian Opera Scenes in historic Veneto
Feltre
New dates announced
22nd - 31st August 2025
The 2024 course below is a guide to
what to expect
Palazzo Guarnieri, Feltre, Italy
Vox Integra in collaboration with
Unisono,
https://unisonofactory.com
and
Scuola Di Musica Francesco Sandi
https://www.scuolasandi.it/
Vox Integra is delighted to be holding its sixth Opera Scenes Workshop in the historic citadel of Feltre in Northern Italy.This intensive week long course consists of in-depth individual and ensemble sessions on opera arias, recitatives and scenes. Each participant will be assigned one of our internationally renowned performer practitioners for a daily technique lesson as well as have the opportunity to work closely with all the tutors in repertoire and masterclasses in order to develop a sense of the different aspects of opera performance - the learning is then put on its feet in various performance opportunities.
In 2019, as well as performing in the Palazzo Guarnieri, we had the extraordinary privilege of performing for the first time on stage in the historic Teatro de la Sena! This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity - singing and performing Italy’s most famous art form, on an original 17th century Italian stage. In 2023, we performed twice in the Palazzo Guarnieri. Updates on performance spaces for 2024 will be announced asap.
The course begins on Friday, August 23rd with a session from 5.00pm-8.00pm
The course closes after the performance on 31st August.
THE COURSE
• One-to-one specialist voice lessons.
• Characterisation and role study sessions.
• Intensive musical and staging rehearsals with stage and musical director.
• Group classes in movement/ stagecraft.
• Inspiring masterclasses to improve your interpretation, diction, musicality and expression in Italian repertoire
• One-to-one language and music coaching on your role.
• Intense breathing and body work.
• Ensemble coaching and sessions for the chorus when not performing a solo role.
Course Artistic Team
David Lawrence: Musical Director
Beverley Worboys: Movement /Stage director
Theresa Goble: Course Leader/Vocal Professor
Brian Parsons: Vocal Professor/Répétiteur
Ronald Cheung: Vocal Coach/Répétiteur
Riho Akagi : Répétiteur
Guest Tutor - Matteo Dalle Fratte: Language Coach
Course Admin Team
Caterina Ciani: Project Development
Course Facilitator: Stephen Miles - voxintegracourses@gmail.com
We are excited to introduce new faces to this year’s artistic team:
Ronald Cheung:
Collaborative pianist Ronald Cheung enjoys
a versatile career as répétiteur, vocal coach,
chamber musician, and conductor.
He was the répétiteur for Anna Netrebko's
Asian Tour in collaboration with Hong Kong
Arts Festival.
Riho Akagi is a distinguished pianist and
music educator whose extensive training
spans from the Tokyo College of Music to
the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in
London.
Réka Szabò
Course Facilitator in Italy
Production Assistant
Hungarian soprano Réka , studied in Budapest and Switzerland and as well as her career as a soprano soloist, curates her own opera festivals, directs , has studied and has experience in arts management as well as experience in multi media and AI projects.
We are delighted Réka will be joining us as course facilitator in Italy, with her broad theatre experience she will also be production assistant to Beverley.
Also returning this year by popular demand for an immersive day in the art of how to sing in Italian will be Matteo Dalle Fratte. Matteo will join us on Monday 26th August to give a public Masterclass in Italian repertoire. Matteo will also present his highly acclaimed book, already a must for those wishing to sing in Italian,
The Melofonetica Method: A complete guide to achieving clear and expressive Italian diction for singers. There will also be a Q&A session.
What Participants Can Expect
Vox participants range in levels from talented and passionate amateurs, aspiring professionals and professionals at the start of their careers, as well as established singers wishing to focus on career development. We plan to feature each participant in a solo role as well as in an ensemble. The course will be restricted to a maximum of 20 singers so that everyone receives the maximum one to one attention.
Our focus is to help singers develop individually. What is important to us, is each personal journey and growth, no matter where one begins. Each singer whatever their level, can expect the highest quality of professional coaching in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. In turn, we expect a professional attitude to the course. This means learning your music before arrival, punctuality, team work, dedication to the tasks in hand, and participation in all group exercises.
We value collaboration and team work from all singers. Opera, is in fact a collaborative art form that requires cooperation, empathy and discipline from all participants.
Vox doesn’t hold formal auditions but if you’re not known to members of the team, then we request you send us a recent video clip of you singing. Rather than fitting singers into pre ordained scenes, we intend to fit the scenes around the singers, so as best to match the skill level and development of each participant.
A TYPICAL DAY
Lessons will take place 9am-1pm; there will be a break from 1pm-5pm for lunch, sightseeing, general rest and relaxation, and private study. Lessons/rehearsals then resume from 5pm-8pm. Public masterclasses also take place during the 5-8 pm session.
LOCATION
Feltre, located at the foot of the Dolomites is home to the historic Palazzo Guarneri, where all lessons will take place throughout the week. Feltre is also home to the Teatro della Sena, aka the “Piccola Fenice”, designed by the same architect as the original Venetian opera house.
Known in Roman times as Feltria, the city obtained the status of municipium in 49 BC with its citizens inscribed into the Roman tribe of Menenia. Subsequently the Lombards, and the various Venetian lords ruled the territory until the arrival of Venetian rule in 1404. Despite the hardships that the city had to face, in particular the terrible fire set by the army of the Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg, which completely destroyed it in 1509, Feltre remains a fascinating and beautiful citadel with various monuments of notable interest.
This picturesque city is full of historic “palazzi affrescati”, museums, churches, including an XI Century Basilica, and noteworthy art works. It is still surrounded and “protected” by 15th century wall around the city.
Furthermore, it is situated in the “Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi” and therefore surrounded by stunning panoramic views and hiking trails.
The duration of the course will be divided between the Palazzo Guarnieri - which will be our headquarters and the Palazzo Zasio. Both are situated in the old town’s centre with the Palazzo Guarnieri - rising majestically in the “Piazza Maggiore” and Palazzo Zasio just a few hundred yards away along the via Mezzaterra. The Palazzo Guarnieri was completely remodeled at the beginning of the nineteenth century by the architect Giuseppe Segusini from Feltre, and is decorated with elegant neo-Gothic motifs, also featured in the interior furnishings. Palazzo Zasio dates back to the 16 th century and was formerly the seat of the Prefecture which today hosts various associations.
The Palazzo Guarnieri houses the local Unisono Jazz Academy and hosts a series of top level jazz concerts year round. The owners of the Palazzo - the noble Ferrari-Bravo family - still live on the premises. Each room, one more beautiful than the next, is elegantly equipped with all necessary amenities for concerts, events and even professional recording capabilities, including live streaming! Wifi is available throughout the palazzo. Instruments at our disposal include 3 grand pianos and two uprights.
The Palazzo Zasio is home to the Scuola di Musica Francesco Sandi and with it’s many practice rooms and larger, well equipped spaces is ideal for our busy rehearsal schedule.
The ground floor of the palazzo Guarnieri also has a magnificent restaurant called the Unisono Jazz Restaurant & Cafe, the food is delicious , as is the ambience, dining here is always a highlight.
Besides the delicious and convenient Unisono Jazz Caffe, Feltre is full of charming and lovely caffe’s, restaurants, trattoria’s and pizzeria’s just waiting to be explored , all offer excellent value for money.
ACCOMMODATION
There are several accommodation options during the week long course. Ranging from the centrally located 3 - star Hotel Doriguzzi ( Breakfast included) to self catering, shared apartments of various standards and prices, all within walking distance of the Palazzo.
Please be in touch for details.
Alternatively you are very welcome to book your own accommodation if you prefer.
PARTICIPANT INVESTMENT
Normal Tuition with NO accommodation: £995 / 1,160€
Early Bird (Tuition only): £905 / 1.055€ - Apply by 23 rd May for discount
Tuition for Student, Young Artists Under 30, NO accommodation: £895. 1.044 € (Price held from 2023)
Early Bird (Tuition only): £820. 956€- Apply by 23rd May 2024 for discount.
TRAVEL INFO
The nearest airports are Treviso and Marco Polo. Flights are not included. Please note that there is a City Tax of 1 euro per night per person.
TIPS FOR TRAVEL
In order to protect your investment from personal circumstances which might otherwise limit or hinder your participation, we strongly recommend participants purchase travel insurance before coming to Feltre.
The insurance should cover you for travel, health.
The Vox Team
OPERA SCENES VIDEO LIBRARY
