Opera singing: the new 3rd University degree in Italy

The Fondazione Accademia di Musica and the Fondazione Luciano Pavarotti are delighted to announce that they will collaborating in the creation of a new music training opportunity, the only course of its kind in advanced music studies in Italy. It is intended for young opera singers who wish to develop their talent and hone their skills, to mature as artists as they prepare for a career performing or teaching opera singing.

The 2024/2025 academic year sees the launch of the Two-year Postgraduate Specialist Course in Opera Singing, a course designed for singers who have already completed a second level 2-year postgraduate degree (or old programme Conservatoire degree course or equivalent qualification). The team of teachers will include three internationally acclaimed opera singers, guests of the world’s most prestigious opera companies: tenor Marcelo Álvarez and soprano Fiorenza Cedolins (who began their careers thanks to Luciano Pavarotti) and baritone Ambrogio Maestri. Besides her role teaching stagecraft, Laura Cosso is the head of the Department for the Fondazione Accademia di Musica, while Marcelo Álvarez, is the head for the Fondazione Luciano Pavarotti.

The qualification given at the end of the course is the equivalent to diplomas from the Schools of Specialisation in Italian Musical Heritage (Italian law D.M. 31/01/2006) and is recognised by the MUR - Ministry of Universities and Research, with a value of 3 points in applications for public teaching positions in higher education institutes of music and dance performance.

The innovative approach to teaching springs from the synergy created between the teachers of singing and of repertoire, acting and stagecraft, which results in a course aimed at training the singer-actor. The course also offers additional subjects that give students the essential skills needed to manage their professional career. Singing teachers who perform with the most prestigious opera companies in the world guarantee that students will be exposed to a great variety of approaches to interpretation and aesthetics; however, the fundamental concepts of the training overall remain unified, and are inspired by the artistic legacy left by Luciano Pavarotti.

The lessons for the course will be held at the Accademia di Musica in Pinerolo with monthly sessions.  

A summer internship is planned, which will take place in Modena at the Luciano Pavarotti Home Museum, in the very same room where the Maestro held auditions and gave lessons to his most talented students. The "immersive" experience in the world of Luciano Pavarotti will be catalyzing and a source of inspiration for students.  

The two foundations organizing the course are highly prestigious bodies that, each in their own field, boast wide experience and a solid, prestigious history.

To enroll in the two-year 2024/26 course, you must send an application using the form on the website www.accademiadimusica.it by 23/05/2024. The Fondazione Accademia di Musica has set up several scholarships for students admitted to this two-year course, with the aim of creating greater equity in access to postgraduate music education and to give talented young people from all over the world more opportunities to specialise.