The originality, specificness and uniqueness of our courses for foreign opera singers

ADVICE AGAINST ATTEMPTS TO IMITATE

The Centre of Italian Studies in Urbania (Pesaro and Urbino) instituted its first courses for foreign opera singers in 1986 and started to hold them regularly and continually from June 1987 onwards. 

It continues to hold them with the same exclusive formula which has been applied since the outset, under the new title of The CENTRE of ITALIAN STUDIES OPERA FESTIVAL (from May 2000), a title which is registered as a tradename, whilst the formulation of the Festival was laid down as an original concept.

1. Language, Conversation and Culture in General and Italian Music (paying particular attention to diction);
    

2. Individual "Coaching" Lessons, with qualified conservatory teachers and operatic festival instructors of world fame, to assist in perfecting interpretations of the Italian operatic repertoire, according to traditional Italian style. The programme also includes "master class" with 'big' names in opera and qualified maestros. A fundamental precision is to be made. The "coaching" lesson is not a singing lesson, in the sense that the "coach" (the maestro) does not intervene with regard to the student's pitch of voice, but simply assists in teaching a correct diction, execution and interpretation of the Italian operatic repertoire according to the true Italian style. On request, each individual student can also arrange singing lessons to pitch his or her voice.
    

3. The third element is constituted by operatic concerts, operas represented in full or by opera scenes. These representations are carried out by the students (during, and mainly at, the end of the course) with the purpose of making their voices known in Italy and to present the level of perfection they have achieved. The Centre of Italian Studies Opera Festival courses have been acknowledged worldwide for some time and vouched for by the very prestigious international collaborations that have been in operation for many years and by the authoritativeness of its Honorary Committee.

When we began to hold our courses, in 1987, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and resulting from our "Corsi di lingua e cultura italiana in Italia" brochure edited by the Ministry before and after 1987, our formula was unique in its kind and remained so until June 2000. In fact, at this time, the Centre of Italian language and culture "I Malatesta" of Rimini (whose director has often visited the Centre of Italian Studies) began to institute its "Summer courses for opera singers", imitating the formulation of our courses. The following year (June 2001) the Centre of Studies "Idea Verona" also started to hold the "Bel Canto", a course in Italian for singers of Lyric Opera, copying the formulation that we are distinguished by and also, in many instances, using the very same phrases we publish in our literature and in our website www.operafestival.it.

The idea of courses for opera singers, including foreigners, is certainly not new. In fact, for centuries opera singers, when they retire from performing, give singing lessons. The Centre of Italian Studies has no objection to this as it does not constitute any form of plagiarism. Other courses for opera singers in Italy also have their own formulation, totally different compared to ours, and therefore we have no objection whatsoever to these. To name some, for example: the Centro Universale del Bel Canto, directed by Mirella Freni and Nicolai Ghiaurov, of Vignola (Modena); the Accademia Opera Festival di Cagli (PU); the Istituto di lingua e cultura italiana "Donatello" di Firenze; "Lingua- viva" di Milano, and others.

The Centre of Italian Studies Opera Festival wishes to point out that it is in no way connected with the opera singing courses held by the Centre "I Malatesta" of Rimini and by the Centre of Studies "Idea Verona". It claims paternity for these courses, according to the formulation that has been described in this document, and intends to defend it, together with its image of quality, seriousness and professionalism which it has deservedly achieved over the years, even by resorting to legal action if deemed necessary.

The Centre of Italian Studies has conceived and established an International Festival of Italian Opera for Young Voices. It is unique in its kind amongst existing festivals and its level of quality has been affirmed by the participation of the most prestigious music conservatories and schools worldwide.