Areas of Study

Jump down to: Singers | Pianists | Stage Direction, Design & Production | Instrumentalists |

SINGERS

All singers will receive the following:
  • 15 hours of Italian language class per week (5 transferable credits)
  • Four 45-minute voice lessons, coachings & Division Assignment (2 credits)
OPERA DIVISION

Advanced singers will be cast in leading roles in one of two fully staged productions. Participants may also be chosen to sing on program-wide master classes or select concert performances based on the auditions held in Italy on Friday, June 7, 2013.

Così fan tutte
In addition to weekly private lessons and coachings, singers cast in Così fan tutte will receive weekly private musical and linguistic coaching on their roles with the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy Coaching Staff, and and participate in daily musical and staging rehearsals in preparation for fully staged performances with orchestra in the Teatro Signiorelli in Cortona, Italy, featured in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. This opera is double-cast, each cast will sing two performances. The opera will be conducted by Marco Balderi and staged by Edward Crafts. 

L'Orfeo
In addition to weekly private lessons and coachings, participants cast in L'Orfeo will receive weekly private musical and linguistic coaching on their roles with the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy Coaching Staff, and participate in daily staging rehearsals in preparation for the fully staged performances with piano under the Tuscan Starry skies of Arezzo's Communal Palace - this location featured in the movie La Vita e Bella. This opera is single cast, there will be two performances conducted by Opera Division Conductor Piergiorgio Del Nunzio, and staged by Opera Division Stage Director Sally Stunkel.

CONCERT ARTIST DIVISION

Advanced singers will perform a variable program of Italian arias, scenes and small ensembles in prestigious venues in the Tuscany region. Participants may also be chosen to sing on program-wide masterclasses based on the auditions held in Italy on Friday, June 8, 2012. In addition to weekly private lessons and coachings, participants in the Concert Artist Division will receive weekly private coaching with the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy Coaching Staff, and daily private and groups coachings with Concert Artist Director, LeAnn Overton.

EMERGING ARTIST DIVISION

Singers will be cast in fully staged opera scene performances, and participate in a curriculum of workshops and master classes geared toward developing the singing-acting craft. Participants may be chosen to sing on program-wide master classes or select concert performances based on the auditions held in Italy on Friday, June 8, 2012. Select Emerging Artists may be cast in supporting and ensemble roles in Opera Division productions based on the national Oberlin in Italy program auditions, held in January and February, 2013.

In addition to weekly private lessons, participants in the Emerging Artist division will receive weekly scene coachings with the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy Coaching Staff, participate in daily musical rehearsals and coachings with Emerging Artist Music Director, Andrew Altenbach, participate in a curriculum of workshops geared toward developing the singing acting craft, and daily staging rehearsals with Emerging Artist Stage Director Scott Skiba in preparation for the fully staged opera scenes performances wtih piano under the Tuscan starry skies ofd Arezzo's Communal Palace - this location featured in the movie La Vita e Bella. Participants in the Emerging Artists will also participate in daily master classes and workshops led by the program's faculty of conductors, coaches and stage directors. Past master classes and workshop include:

  • Acting Fundamentals & Character Building
  • Character development in song and scene
  • Audition Techniques
  • Industry Expectations & Professional Preparation
  • Italian Lyric Diction & Dramatic Text Inflection
  • Stage make-up
  • Stagecraft and performing within the theatrical environment of the Operatic Stage
  • Many Emerging artists will also be cast in the chorus and/or perform an ensemble acting role in La Bohème

PIANISTS

In addition to earning 7 transferable Oberlin College credits (5 in language and 2 music electives), participants will receive weekly coachings with the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy staff of coaches and conductors. Pianists will also be given rehearsal and performance assignments ranging from playing for rehearsals and performances in the Opera, Concert and Emerging Artist divisions based upon their program audition. Depending upon the division assignments, participants may also enroll in the Oberlin in Italy Art History course to earn an additional 3 transferable liberal arts credits.

STAGE DIRECTION, DESIGN & PRODUCTION

In addition to earning 7 transferable Oberlin College credits (5 in language and 2 music electives), students will participate in seminars and workshops, in which they will receive guidance and mentorship from the internationally distinguished Oberlin in Italy program faculty and staff. According to experience and skill-sets, participants will be assigned production duties such as:

  • Stage Director of scenes in the Emerging Artist Division
  • Assistant Director and/or Stage Manager for Opera Productions
  • Active roles in the technical aspects of the productions, ranging from Design Assistance Carpentry,
    Scenic Painting, Props, Costumes and Crew

INSTRUMENTALISTS

15 hours of Italian per week (5 credits) and 2 music elective credits.

According to enrollment, instrumentalists will have the opportunity to:

  • Join the orchestra of Così fan tutte under the baton of Maestro Pelto for performances in the Teatro Signiorelli in Cortona, Italy - featured in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, or the Orchestra of L'Orfeo under the Baton on Maestro DelNunzio for performances in the Cortile of the Comunel Arezzo, featured in the movie La vita e bella. Orchestral assignments are made by audition

  • Participate in workshops with Maestro Altenbach exploring Italian opera excerpts most frequently encountered on audition lists for professional job opportunities in the United States and abroad

  • Analyze the technical demands of the repertoire and learn the stylistic traditions surrounding the excerpt and how they have developed over time, as well as how the excerpt blends within the larger orchestral context

  • Rehearse in preparation for mainstage opera productions

  • Enroll in 15 hours of Italian language study per week, earn transferable Oberlin College Credit (5 language credits & 2 music elective credits), work alongside professional Italian musicians, participate in select master classes and workshops focused on learning the fundamentals of Italian opera repertoire with excellent stylistic considerations as well as overall good habits for opera orchestra playing

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