Piano
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Collaborative pianists are a central part of the Opera Lucca experience, playing for performances, rehearsals, and lessons. Students also receive coachings and lessons from piano and conducting faculty.
Piano Fellowship: One fellowship is available for an outstanding pianist to play repertoire as assigned and assist with coaching.
Scholarships are offered based on a case by case basis, considering merit, student need, and the budget of the program.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
All vocalists and pianists have three hours of Italian each morning at the Lucca Italian School near the city walls. Our faculty believe an immersive language environment is a crucial element of opera training. Moving beyond diction into meaning and expressive delivery is essential for successful bel canto performance. The language school occupies a renovated villa with a private garden, veranda, and outdoor terrace. Students are placed in an appropriate level for their ability. In addition to conversational Italian, the whole festival will focus on poetic Italian. The material covers at least one semester of university Italian and may help students test out of required language classes at their universities. Students will receive a certificate for their language classes but we cannot guarantee university credit.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
9:00am - 12:00pm
Italian Classes at the Lucca Italian School
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch
1:30pm - 7:30pm
Lessons, Coachings, Practice, Rehearsals
Weekly and daily schedules are emailed during the program. Most Saturdays and Sundays are free to travel around central Italy or relax in town. Lucca is close to many important cultural and tourist destinations: 1.5 hours from Florence, 30 minutes from Pisa, 3.5 hours from Rome, 2 hours from Cinque Terre, and 30 minutes from the beach at Viareggio.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
For general applications, submit two contrasting examples with or without singers, preferably from Italian opera. For collaborative pianists who do not have experience with singers, it is acceptable to submit a recording with an instrumentalist.
To be considered for the fellowship, please submit extended excerpts of operatic repertoire with or without singer. One excerpt should include basso continuo recitative. Also include a CV and ask your teacher to send a letter of recommendation to info@operalucca.org. The email should have subject “Recommendation: [Name].”
TUITION & FEES
Shared Hostel/Apartment Room: $4250
Single Hostel/Apartment Room: $4650
Homestay Shared Room, Use of Kitchen: $4450
Homestay Single Room, Use of Kitchen: $4750
Homestay Shared Room, Breakfast (may not include use of kitchen): $4650
Homestay Single Room, Breakfast (may not include use of kitchen): $4950
Homestay Shared Room, Breakfast and Dinner: $5150
Homestay Single Room, Breakfast and Dinner: $5450
(Host family housing based on availability.)
Security Deposit: All students will pay a $100 security deposit, refundable two weeks after check out if there are no problems in their accommodations.
Not included in tuition: airfare, train travel, food (unless otherwise arranged), travel insurance, passport and visa, weekend trips.
Important: A $950 tuition deposit is required to secure a place in the program after acceptance. From April 1st to May 23rd Tuition is 50% refundable. After May 23rd tuition is non-refundable.
FELLOWSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIPS
Piano Fellowship: One fellowship is available for an outstanding pianist to play repertoire as assigned and assist with coaching.
Scholarships are offered based on a case by case basis, considering merit, student need, and the budget of the program.
Opera Lucca is a nonprofit organization. The tuition of this program reflects actual costs at discounted rates provided by all institutions, teachers, and administration.
Affording Tuition: The cost of attendance reflects housing, language school tuition, and music activities. We work to keep tuition as low as possible in order for the program to be accessible. Tuition is competitive with other similar programs. Many students raise money through online campaigns, like GoFundMe or facebook, and with university grant applications. We also strongly recommend organizing benefit recitals to raise money in your community. The sooner you begin fundraising, the easier it is to cover costs. Some scholarships are available as well.
