The Professional Advantage curriculum is designed for those seeking a European performance experience, instruction in language and cultural study and career development.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The days will consist of language instruction in the morning, the traditional Italian mid-day pause, and rehearsals and lessons in the afternoons and evenings.  You will have most of Saturday and all of Sunday free.

Language Instruction
Intensive course, small-classroom study of the Italian language taught by native speakers:  Fifteen hours per week, split between grammar and conversation.  Included are excursions to places such as the market as well as to select local merchants, both in an effort to absorb the unique culture of Italy and for the practical application of the language.  It is significant that the town of Piobbico is almost exclusively Italian-speaking, and the residents are aware of the presence of foreign students and are unfailingly encouraging in those students’ attempts at conversing in Italian.

Performance Instruction
Each week, one hour minimum of private instruction with a professional performer along with a member of the musical staff.  Both of our singer/teachers are known for their sound techniques and diverse careers. Because they will be joined by one of our conductor/coaches, you can acquire a tremendous amount of knowledge quickly.  You may use your time with them to obtain information for yourself and your students.

Each week, one hour minimum of private coaching with one of our conductors or coach-accompanists. Faculty has been chosen based on their knowledge of and participation among the industry’s highest levels.

Performance Opportunity
The program will culminate in a fully-staged professional-level opera performance.  The work will be from the standard Italian repertoire, and chosen to best showcase the participants’ abilities. The orchestra will be made up of professional musicians from the Rossini Festival in Pesaro, and the performance will take place in the historic Teatro Bramante in Urbania.  There will also be a program of operatic scenes and selections and/or evenings of songs and arias presented in the stunning Castello Brancaleoni in Piobbico.