Study in Italy
Opera in Concert in Italy 2024
May 23 to June 15, 2024
Stephen Dubberly, Music Director: Heather and Edward Crafts, Voice Instructors and Stage Directors
Opera in Concert in Italy 2023 concluded to great acclaim with an al fresco concert in the historic courtyard of the Casa della Poesia in Urbino. The 2024 edition of Opera in Concert in Italy will be accepting a maximum of 12 serious singers for a personalized experience in Italian language, music and culture. Individual attention is guaranteed with at least two voice lessons and two coachings per week. All singers will perform on all scheduled concerts.
Urbino, a famous historic city and UNESCO world heritage site located in the Marche region of Italy, is an ideal place for young artists to develop vocal and performance skills, increase their language competency, interact with local Italians and international students, and experience Italian culture first-hand. Nestled in the foothills of central Italy near the Adriatic coast, Urbino’s highlights include a 19th-century opera house, a 14th-century ducal palace and the home of the famous artist, Raphael.
Opera in Concert in Italy has four components: Italian language study, vocal and dramatic coaching, performances and organized excursions/cultural events.
Language
Students will have 15 hours per week of Italian language study. Classes will be held in the mornings Monday through Friday, under the auspices of Lingua Ideale. Students who successfully complete this intensive three-week language course can receive 4-6 college credits through the University of Urbino. It will be the student’s responsibility to arrange credit with their university, as each school has its own protocol for transferring credits.
Vocal and Dramatic Coaching
In the afternoons, students will receive musical and dramatic coaching on Italian opera arias, duets, and song repertoire. Each singer will receive at least two voice lessons and two coachings per week. Several master classes will be presented on a variety of topics.
Faculty
Massimo Sabbatini (Rossini Festival) – conductor and coach
Heather Ross (Opera in Concert, Dallas) – voice and stage direction
Edward Crafts (Opera in Concert, Dallas, former Metropolitan Opera) – voice and stage direction
Stephen Dubberly (University of North Texas) – music director and coach
Performances
All participants will have opportunities to perform arias, songs, duets or scenes in concerts throughout the region. Previous concert venues have included ancient castles, 19th-century theaters and other historic buildings.
Excursions/Cultural Events:
- Weekend trip to Ravenna (transportation included)
- Italian cooking class (transportation, class fee and dinner included)
- Italian wine tour with a seaside dinner (transportation and dinner included)
Auditions/Scholarships
Applications will be available on our website, operainconcert.org, or by e-mailing Edward Crafts at edwardcrafts@aol.com. This year we will be accepting audition materials primarily by online links. Scholarships will be awarded based on audition results. Deadline for application is February 10, 2024.
Application: The online application form is available HERE.
Price
The cost of this program is $4995. The items included in the price are:
- Italian classes and textbooks
- Private voice lessons and coachings
- Concerts
- Excursions
- Housing at the double room rate
- One meal a day Monday-Friday
Housing
Provided at the double-occupancy room in the Collegio Internazionale, with one meal included Monday-Friday. Single rooms may be available on request depending on availability; if available, there will be a supplemental charge.
Transportation
All transportation to Urbino (including airfare, train, bus, and/or taxi) is not included and is the responsibility of each participant. We will meet participants at Bologna Airport and assist with transportation logistics to Urbino.
Contact Edward Crafts at edwardcrafts@aol.com for more information and an audition appointment.