Veneto Opera Summer School
Aria and Song week: 10–17 August 2025
Led by Matteo Dalle Fratte, Founder of Melofonetica, renowned Italian coach and author of The Melofonetica Method: A complete guide to clear and expressive Italian diction for singers (2023)
Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Apply online now
An enriching programme of Italian repertoire coaching for singers and pianists
Singers will benefit from:
- A full overview of the transformative Melofonetica Method, giving you the tools and techniques to make a rapid improvement to your Italian lyric diction, expression and performance skills
- 4 hours of one-to-one coaching, including sessions with each member of our faculty, to prepare your choice of Italian aria or song
- Unlimited access to observe inspiring Italian masterclasses
- 6 hours of vocalising and ensemble sessions to polish Italian pronunciation and enhance musicality
- 2 x 1 hour workshops:
- Working effectively with a pianist and conductor: understand how to optimise the collaborative relationship with your accompanist or conductor
- Sung Italian in the body: explore how good sung Italian benefits singing technique and benefit from simple yoga exercises to develop inner awareness and quality of breath connection
- Tailored individual performance coaching in concert rehearsals
- Guided listening and Q&A on sung Italian
- 3 x 45-minute morning yoga sessions to prepare for the day (optional but included at no additional cost)
- A collaborative, supportive and inspiring environment led by highly effective coaches
- The opportunity to meet, learn and sing with participants from all over the world while enjoying la dolce vita in beautiful, historic Bassano del Grappa
Pianists
Pianists will benefit from much of the above combined with tailored coaching in how to use the Melofonetica Method to better prepare Italian repertoire and collaborate more effectively with singers.
Perform for an Italian audience and enjoy the local culture
All participants will also have the opportunity to:
- Perform in a concert for an Italian audience and enjoy a celebratory dinner at the end of the week
- Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Venetian villa and organic vineyard, with tastings of wine, olive oil and other local products
- Visit Bassano's historic weekly market
- Learn about grappa production with a visit to a local grapperia
“The week transformed not only my use of Italian, but my awareness of language in singing more generally.” – Johanna, soprano
"I really enjoyed the varied sessions with different coaches exploring the Melofonetica Method. The opportunity to then apply learnt techniques and take part in a public performance at the end of the course was an invaluable and unforgettable experience." – Gayle, soprano
"This course helped me greatly with performance confidence and learning to think for myself as my own artist." – Maddie, soprano
Fees
Singers: £825
Pianists: £725
Course fees include: All masterclasses, coaching, workshops, use of practice rooms at specified times, administration and course materials.
Fees don't include optional activities, accommodation or board; participants are free to arrange their own accommodation in Bassano del Grappa. Our teaching venue, the Scalabrini Institute, provides comfortable, high quality accommodation onsite which may be booked separately at very reasonable rates (please contact us for more details).
Observers who would like to attend the teaching sessions may join at a rate of £60 per day or £35 per half-day.
How to apply
Places will be offered to suitable applicants on a first come, first served basis, so apply early to avoid disappointment. Participants must be aged 18 or over on the first day of the course. Please note that all tuition is in English.
Singers
We welcome applications from singers of all levels and language backgrounds, as long as you have some prior experience of studying Italian repertoire.
Please complete the online application form or apply via email with the following:
- A brief CV
- A short video or audio clip of you performing any Italian repertoire
- Your voice type
Pianists
To apply as a pianist, you'll need to have, or be studying for, a conservatoire or university music degree with a strong performance element, or have equivalent experience. If you're a pianist interested in joining us, please contact us for more information.
Observers
If you'd like to attend one or more days to watch some of the teaching and see the Melofonetica Method in action, please contact us for further details.
More information
If you have any queries about the programme or you’d like an informal chat about any aspect, don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to receiving your application!
Venue
The Scalabrini Institute is the peaceful and comfortable location for all of our tuition. The teaching rooms are spacious, with views towards the mountains, the town and the famous Ponte Vecchio.
The venue also provides comfortable, high quality accommodation for those who would like the convenience of staying onsite:
- Air-conditioned ensuite bedrooms
- Continental breakfast and three-course Italian lunches
- Wifi
- Use of a small kitchen and washing machine
- Access to scenic riverside walks
Rooms at the Scalabrini Institute may be booked separately (please contact us for details).
Bassano del Grappa
Our venue, the peaceful Scalabrini Institute, is located beside the river in central Bassano del Grappa. Bassano is a beautiful, historic town at the foothills of the Alps in the Veneto region and takes its name from nearby Monte Grappa.
The historic centre of Bassano is just a 5-10 minute scenic riverside walk from our venue. It is pretty and compact with many bars, restaurants and boutiques. The architecture is a blend of typical Venetian arcaded streets and piazzas, and Austrian alpine wooden balconies.
The town is well known for its Ponte Vecchio, a historic wooden bridge designed by Palladio which crosses the river Brenta, locally-produced ceramics and grappa liqueur.
Bassano is within easy reach of Venice Marco Polo, Treviso and Verona airports. There are also direct trains from Venice, Vicenza and Padova. Parking is available at our venue if required.
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