Veneto Opera Summer School
Aria and Song week
For singers and pianists
Led by Matteo Dalle Fratte, Founder of Melofonetica and renowned Italian coach
Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Summer 2025 dates TBC
Register your interest now for 2025
The 2024 package included:
- A full overview of the transformative Melofonetica Method, giving you the tools and techniques to make a rapid improvement to your Italian lyric diction, expression and performance skills
- 4 hours of one-to-one coaching, including sessions with each member of our faculty, to prepare your choice of Italian aria or song
- Unlimited access to observe inspiring Italian masterclasses
- 6 hours of vocalising and ensemble sessions to polish Italian pronunciation and enhance musicality
- 2 x 1 hour workshops:
- Working effectively with a pianist and conductor: understand how to optimise the collaborative relationship with your accompanist or conductor
- Sung Italian in the body: explore how good sung Italian benefits singing technique and benefit from simple yoga exercises to develop inner awareness and quality of breath connection
- 3 x 45-minute morning yoga sessions (optional but included at no additional cost)
- A collaborative, supportive and inspiring environment led by highly effective coaches
- The opportunity to meet, learn and sing with participants from all over the world while enjoying la dolce vita in beautiful, historic Bassano del Grappa
Plus the options to:
- Perform in a concert for an Italian audience and enjoy a celebratory dinner at the end of the week
- Enjoy a visit to a local organic vineyard, with tastings of wine, olive oil and other local products
- Learn about grappa production with a visit to a local grapperia
“I loved every aspect of this course from the method itself to the staff, rehearsals, masterclasses and the performances. The course took into consideration everyone’s individual voice type and level of training and made sure they were used to their fullest potential so everyone got to show off their talents. The staff were also very kind, patient and understanding to every participant. Cannot recommend this course enough.”
April, soprano
“The week transformed not only my use of Italian, but my awareness of language in singing more generally.”
Johanna, soprano
Fees
Fee for tuition package as above excluding optional activities: 2025 fee TBC
Course fee includes: All masterclasses, coaching, workshops, use of practice rooms at specified times, administration and course materials.
Fees don't include accommodation or board; participants are free to arrange their own accommodation in Bassano del Grappa. Our teaching venue, the Scalabrini Institute, provides comfortable, high quality accommodation onsite which may be booked separately at very reasonable rates (please contact us for more details).
Observer places are also available for those who'd like to watch some or all of the teaching. Please contact us for rates and more details.
How to apply
Register your interest now for 2025
Places will be offered to suitable applicants on a first come, first served basis. Participants must be aged 18 or over on the first day of the course. Please note that all tuition is in English.
Singers
We welcome applications from singers of all levels and language backgrounds, as long as you have some prior experience of studying Italian repertoire. Please either complete the online application form or apply via email with the following:
- A brief CV
- A short video or audio clip of you performing any Italian repertoire
- Your voice typeÂ
Pianists
Pianists will benefit from tailored coaching in how to use the Melofonetica Method to better prepare Italian repertoire and collaborate more effectively with singers. To apply as a pianist, you'll need to have, or be studying for, a conservatoire or university music degree with a strong performance element, or have equivalent experience. If you're a pianist interested in joining us, please contact us for more information.
Observers
If you'd like to attend one or more days to watch some of the teaching and see the Melofonetica Method in action, please contact us for observer rates and further details.
More information
If you have any queries about the programme or you’d like an informal chat about any aspect, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your application!
Venue
The Scalabrini Institute is the peaceful and comfortable location for all of our tuition during the week. The teaching rooms are spacious, with views towards the mountains, the town and the famous Ponte Vecchio.
The venue also provides comfortable, high quality accommodation for those who would like the convenience of staying onsite:
- Air-conditioned ensuite bedrooms
- Continental breakfast and three-course Italian lunches
- Wifi
- Use of a small kitchen and washing machine
- Access to scenic riverside walks
Rooms at the Scalabrini Institute may be booked separately (please contact us for details).
Bassano del Grappa
Our venue, the peaceful Scalabrini Institute, is located beside the river in central Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is a beautiful, historic town at the foothills of the Alps in the Veneto region and takes its name from nearby Monte Grappa.
The historic centre of Bassano is just a 5-10 minute scenic riverside walk from our venue. It is pretty and compact with many bars, restaurants and boutiques. The architecture is a blend of typical Venetian arcaded streets and piazzas, and Austrian alpine wooden balconies.
The town is well known for its Ponte Vecchio, a historic wooden bridge designed by Palladio which crosses the river Brenta, locally-produced ceramics and grappa liqueur.
Bassano is within easy reach of Venice Marco Polo, Treviso and Verona airports. There are also direct trains from Venice, Vicenza and Padova. Parking is available at our venue if required.
Reviews
