Opera Viva! Online Seminar Details

Lectures & Masterclasses July 26-30

• All sessions will be live via Zoom at the times indicated below.
• Seminar participants will be sent Zoom links and passwords via email.
• Every session will be recorded and we will send the recording links to each seminar participant for reviewing at any time.

Preparing Your Aria

The Opera Viva! faculty have assembled expert guidance on the best way to prepare a new aria.  This guidance applies in any situation, but is particularly important to follow so that you can get the most out of the private lessons and classroom instruction at the end of July.

• Translate the text of the aria from Italian into English or you native language word for word.  It is important that you not use an online translation engine (i.e., Google Translate) for this task, but instead that you search for “translation of <name of aria>” using your favorite search engine.
• Understand the opera’s plot, your character, and where the aria occurs within the opera’s story.
• Learn the Italian pronunciation of the aria’s text.
• Memorize the Italian text and music

Do you best to complete all of these steps before July 26.

Volunteer for Recit Masterclass

We are asking for volunteers to participate in the recit masterclasses on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This is a great opportunity for additional coaching from our renowned faculty. All participants who sign up will be assigned a recit to learn (for example, a duet or a scene) and will participate in the live session with other singers.  When you volunteer and have been assigned a recit and a role, you will not need to memorize the text but you should translate it from Italian into English or your native tongue before the first masterclass.  Drop us a line as soon as possible to volunteer; you don’t want to miss this chance!

Private Lessons

You will receive an email with the proposed schedule for your private lessons.  You will have three (3) forty-five minute lessons with our faculty: one voice lesson, one vocal coaching and one stage direction/acting coaching.  You must confirm your private lessons and you will have one chance to request a reschedule.  Once schedules and confirmed, lessons cannot be rescheduled.  You will be sent personalized Zoom links for your lessons with your assigned instructors.

Recording Your Aria

By the end of the week, you will record your aria so that we can include your performance in our concert that will stream online on Saturday, July 31.  To accompany your aria, you may use a live pianist or prerecorded accompaniment.  Your recording must be received by 8:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, July 30 to be included in the concert.

The Concert

We will stream a concert of your recorded aria performances on Saturday, July 31.  You may invite your friends and family to watch the concert live or at any time afterwards.  The timing and location of the live stream will be finalized in the coming days, and updated information will be included here so check back often.

The Aria Competition

All seminar participants may submit an entry to the Opera Viva! Italia Aria competition free of charge! Your competition entry is due on Tuesday August 2, and you may submit your concert performance or another recording of your choice.  Win cash prizes and scholarships!  Submissions will be judged in two divisions:  Collegiate (ages 18-24) and Emerging Professional (ages 25-35).  Note: seminar participants will receive instructions for submitting your entry during the week of July 26. Do not submit your entry ahead of time.

Competition Prizes