Belcanto & Verismo Week
July 14–20, 2025 | Trieste, Italy
Belcanto & Verismo Week is an intensive summer training program for conservatoire students, recent graduates, and early-career opera professionals. Set in the historic city of Trieste, the course offers expert coaching in the vocal style and dramatic interpretation of 19th and early 20th century Italian opera. Participants receive individual instruction from leading specialists in Belcanto and Verismo repertoire, daily Italian language and diction coaching with native speakers, and industry-focused seminars on the workings of major Italian opera houses. Designed to deepen both technical skill and cultural understanding, the program culminates in a public performance and offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the tradition where this music was born.
Refine your skills
Benefit from dedicated 1:1 coaching with our internationally renowned faculty, honing not only your technique but your artistic interpretation of the Belcanto and Verismo genres, including Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni and Leoncavallo. Craft your artistic identity while immersed in the language and culture of the home country of opera, with daily coaching and support from a native-speaking Italian language and diction tutor.
M° Alessandro Vitiello
Maestro Alessandro Vitiello is an esteemed Italian conductor and pianist renowned for his expertise in Belcanto and Verismo repertoire. He has conducted at prestigious venues, including the Rossini Opera Festival and Teatro Verdi di Trieste. Beyond his conducting career, Vitiello is dedicated to nurturing emerging talent. His commitment to both performance and education underscores his significant contribution to the operatic community.
The Home of Belcanto
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Italian opera in this fully bilingual course, held in the beautiful city of Trieste, Italy. Discover the unbreakable bond between language and music in the "fraseggio" of Belcanto and Verismo styles, and begin to craft your own phrasing following the natural legato of la bella lingua - no prior knowledge of the Italian language is required for this program which unites ancient cultural tradition with technical and artistic innovation.
-
Coaching: Receive personalised guidance from internationally renowned experts, including conductor, coach and pianist M° Alessandro Vitiello, who will lead coachings online, alongside our in person faculty, while engaged at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro.
-
Master Belcanto & Verismo: Focus on perfecting the essential Italian opera styles that form the backbone of the industry.
-
Performing Opportunity: Showcase your skills in a final recital, gaining exposure and experience on stage.
-
Italian Immersion: Enhance your artistry with daily Italian language lessons from native speakers, fully immersing in opera’s cultural roots.
-
Career Insights: Get managerial advice on auditions, competitions, and navigating the opera world.
-
Accessible to All: Open to emerging artists of all ages, with flexible payment options to make the course accessible to more singers.
Info & applications
1) Application details
Application deadline: All applications must be submitted by July 1st, 2025.
To apply, please send the following documents along to info.operaus@gmail.com
-
CV/Resumé in English or Italian
-
HD Photo
-
A copy of your Passport/ID card
-
One video or audio recording of an aria by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi, Mascagni, Leoncavallo.
2) Positions available
The program is open to 7 singers, selected by recorded video audition
3) Tuition fees
500€ including VAT
4) Frequently asked questions
-
Are accommodation and food included in the tuition fee?
Accommodation and food are not included, however, OperUs maintains a list of good local accommodation options for students and participants on our courses and will be happy to put successful applicants in contact with suitable places on request.
-
What language will lessons be held in?
Lessons and rehearsals will be run bilingually (English-Italian) thanks to our fully bilingual staff body. Prior knowledge of the Italian language is therefore not required.
-
Are there any age limits to apply?
Applications are open to all over-18s and there is no upper age limit.