Course for opera singers

TEACHING MODULES

CHARACTERISTIC DISCIPLINES

Vocal and interpretive technique

Luciana D'Intino (Lead instructor)

Opera Interpretation Masterclasses

Gregory Kunde, Barbara Frittoli, TBD

Study of the score and roles

Beatrice Benzi, Margherita Colombo, Michele D'Elia, Federica Falasconi, Umberto Finazzi, Jeong Un Kim, Paolo Spadaro Munitto, Vincenzo Scalera, James Vaughan

Accompanists

Cristina Battistella, Francesco Manessi, Marco Schirru

Stage arts

Marina Bianchi

BASIC DISCIPLINES

Stage movemenY

Italian for foreigners

French diction

German diction

Specialized seminars on vocal chamber music, lieder repertoire, and baroque repertoire will be held during the two-year course.

The list of teachers and teaching modules is subject to change.

the Academy prepares young singers possessing notable artistic and vocal qualities for a professional career as opera singers with a solid and high level vocal, musical, theatrical, and cultural background.

 Type in https://www.yaptracker.com/register-applicant and make a FREE registration to the site.

Submit the application through the specially created tool at www.yaptracker.com, between November 4, 2024 and April 9, 2025.

The application must be completed with the following documents:

• Scanned copy of an identity document (ID card or passport);
• scanned copy of certification of musical and vocal studies, as indicated in this regard under "Admission Requirements" above;
• No. 2 links to video recordings in which the candidate performs two opera arias (not operetta, zarzuela or oratorio) by different composers, at least one of which is in Italian. The files do not have to be of professional quality; instead, amateur and unedited recordings are explicitly requested. Only full sound cleanliness and good visibility of the candidate are recommended. The examining board will reserve the right, following the examination of the materials received, to promptly notify the selected candidates of the formalization of the invitation to the audition days in Milan;
• detailed CV, signed and dated and including the following statements at the end of the CV:

1. I, the undersigned, aware of criminal penalties provided in Article 76 of Presidential Decree no. 445 of December 28, 2000 (D.P.R. 445/2000) in the case of false statements or acts, state, per Articles 46 and 47 of said Presidential Decree, that the content of this CV is true to the best of my knowledge;
2. Pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 196 of June 30, 2003 (D.Lgs. 196/2003 – “Privacy Law”) and EU Regulation 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), I hereby authorize processing of the personal data I have provided for the purposes of using my CV.

• two recent digital photographs: one head and shoulders, the other full figure;
• scanned copy of document certifying placement in the top three positions in national or international solo voice competitions (optional);
• letters of reference from qualified music experts (optional).

A simultaneous payment, by credit card, of €90.00, including VAT, will be required to complete the application.

The requested documents may be replaced by self-certifications. In this case the candidates accepts all penalties for false statements, including exclusion/expulsion from the Academy.

Applicants residing abroad must submit the required documents with translation into Italian or English.

Candidates judged successful at the end of the pre-selection process will be summoned promptly by e-mail to the selection tests in Milan, which will be held indicatively between June 16 and June 22, 2025 at the headquarters of the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, Via Santa Marta 18, and at the Teatro alla Scala, Via Filodrammatici, 2.

The selection trials in Milan will be held through the following stages:

• elimination round;
• semifinal round;
• final round.

The contestant must submit, consistent with the list proposed on the application form:

• 6 excerpts from operas (excerpts from operettas, zarzuela and/or oratorios will NOT be accepted), of which 4 in Italian and 2 in another language;
• 2 excerpts from the chamber and/or sacred music repertoire.

The candidate must include in the list the two pieces chosen for video recording.

All pieces must be sung strictly in the original language.

ELIMINATION ROUND

The candidate must perform two opera arias by heart, one chosen by the candidate and the other chosen by the Examining Committee from the list presented by the candidate.

The Examining Committee reserves the right to limit the audition to a single piece.

SEMIFINAL ROUND

The candidate must perform by heart 2 pieces, both of which will be chosen by the Examining Committee:

• a piece of chamber music or sacred music
• an opera aria.

Candidates who pass this stage will be asked to demonstrate their sight-reading ability and their stage abilities, and sit for a motivational interview.

FINAL ROUND

The candidate will sing two opera pieces chosen by the Examining Committee.

The Examining Committee may opt to listen to all or only some of the required pieces and to limit the audition to a part of the proposed program.

The candidate must provide sheet music for the audition to be performed on piano by a piano accompanist provided by the La Scala Academy. The candidate may not bring their own piano accompanist.

Admission to the selection process is contingent upon accepting all provisions contained in this admissions announcement.

The Examining Committee will determine which candidates.

The Committee’s decisions are final and uncontestable and the Academy will provide no explanations regarding the outcome of the selection process or non-admission to the course. The outcome of the selections will be announced on the same day as the final, at the end of the tests. By 30 September 2025 at the latest, those admitted to the course will receive instructions to finalise their registration, which must be formalised by 10 October 2025.

If they pass the selection, candidates who are not residents of one of the member states of the European Union must submit, by the date of the start of classes, the documentation required by the legal regulations for non-EU citizens and the provisions of the Italian Public Security Authorities (application to obtain a residence permit for study purposes).

Each student admitted to the La Scala Opera Academy will receive a monthly stipend of 900 euros, contingent upon effective attendance and limited to the months during which the course is offered.

The stipend is made possible thanks to contributions from a large group of patrons, including foundations, associations, businesses, individuals, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which offers up to ten scholarships to foreign students as part of initiatives to promote cultural exchange, internationalization, Italian culture, and higher education.

The Academy has agreements with accommodation, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and other shops, from which students can benefit - by presenting their ID card - or even candidates for selection, by presenting their full registration.

After completing the course, the student may join the community of La Scala Academy Alumni, a platform that provides former Academy students with a range of exclusive services: job offers, networking, ongoing training, mentorship, events, project incubator, as well as special rates and discounts.