Courses 2024

Led by Matteo Dalle Fratte, Founder of Melofonetica and soprano Madeleine Holmes, singing and yoga teacher

How does good sung Italian benefit singing technique? Join us for this one-day workshop to explore the link between correct articulation and healthy, resonant singing. The day will include simple yoga exercises to develop inner awareness and quality of breath connection, and sessions to build your practical knowledge and skills in the correct articulation of Italian sounds.

Participants will:

• Learn how the production of idiomatic sung Italian supports good singing technique

• Understand how the correct articulation of short and long consonants in sung Italian should feel in the body

• Experience the benefits of long consonants (sonorant, sibilant and stop consonants) for breath support, pharyngeal space and resonance of vowels (read more  here!)

• Benefit from a range of simple yoga poses and breathing exercises to support singing and articulation

• Explore how yoga helps integrate body and mind and supports healthy learning habits

• Focus on improving sung Italian diction without any pressure to perform

One-day workshop fee: £120 or £110 for bookings made by 30 October! Yoga mats, learning materials, tea and coffee will be provided. No prior experience of yoga is required. Places are limited, please book early to avoid disappointment!

Led by Matteo Dalle Fratte, Founder of Melofonetica

Join us for an inspirational day of coaching in sung Italian! This masterclass will boost your knowledge of sung Italian and help you improve your performance in your choice of aria or song. The day includes an overview of the Melofonetica Method, vocalising warm-ups, guided listening, tailored one-to-one coaching for singers and Q&A.

Participants will:

• Get a good overview (or refresher) of the fundamentals of clear and expressive Italian diction
• Benefit from one-to-one coaching to improve your sung Italian in your choice of Italian aria or song
• Gain tools and techniques to improve diction, expression and phrasing
• Understand the key elements of Italian style and how to create a more idiomatic Italian sound
• Learn from and with others in a friendly and supportive environment

Suitable for: Singers of all levels. Also open to pianists and observers – please contact us if you'd like to attend as a pianist or observer. Singers may bring any piece of Italian repertoire (from 16th to 20th century) with any level of tessitura (vocal range) and coloratura (ornamentation).

One-day workshop fee: £120. Learning materials, tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.