Lucca Bel Canto Institute

We invite you to come on a journey-- a time that you create to make time for yourself and your voice. Away from the demands and distractions of our busy lives and performing schedules. Come join us in September 2023 for a Bel Canto Vocal Intensive Retreat at Il monastero dell’angelo in the hills outside Lucca, Italy.

Here, you will have the time and space to focus on your craft. During these two weeks, we will be presenting daily vocal masterclasses to refine and calibrate your vocal technique with the principles of Bel Canto, with special attention regarding posture, appoggio, portamento, legato, messa di voce, registration and vowel balance. The aim is to refine the use of the singing voice naturally and economically, and to acquire the ability to harmonize a secure singing technique with one's own artistic expression. In addition, we will be tying all our technical work together and harmonizing our minds, hearts, and bodies, to deliver our purest artistic intentions.

If you’re mid-career and noticing that things are not working easily in your voice the way they always have.

If you’re making a fach change and are encountering new technical hurdles.

If you feel stuck vocally, and haven’t been able to break through that next level.

If things are working well enough vocally, but you just *know* you are capable of more.

NOW is the time to take ownership of your TECHNIQUE and refine the TOOLS to achieve your vocal goals -- creating exhilarating performances full of artistic integrity, delivering great auditions, feeling ease and confidence in your instrument at all times. Our wish for you is that you can stand facing yourself in the mirror and know that you are not playing small, playing to your limitations, but you are challenging yourself everyday to become better.

Come join us, and be a part of this special journey.

The Lucca Bel Canto Institute is a sanctuary away from the demands of daily life. For a week, we come together as a family- singing, learning, eating, communing and working together. We wake up in the morning in the beautiful hills of Lucca, and join our colleagues for a lovely breakfast and fellowship. Then we all congregate for a group warm-up, led by either Ferdinand or Julia. After breakfast, we commence with our masterclasses. These masterclass sessions will be divided into both technique and repertoire sessions, which are open, private voice lessons, but intended for every participant to be present. During these sessions, we will focus on what the individual needs to refine their technique in the most significant way. Each approach is tailor-made, yet deeply-rooted in the principles of Bel Canto vocal technique. In this way, we learn not only by doing, but by watching and immersing ourselves in problem-solving and strategy. By supporting our colleagues, we learn to a greater extent, and vice-versa.

In the midst of the busy masterclass schedule, there will be times for individual coaching where musical elements & style will be addressed. We will also hold in depth discussions which will include everything from vocal technique to mindset as we navigate our way through life as a singing artist. During our evening dinners, we will have impromptu concerts, which is a way of sharing and collaborating with each other during this restorative time. We hope to build a supportive community during the week that will invigorate the mind, body, and spirit and provide renewed direction as you move towards your musical goals.

Institute Details

A program focused on Bel Canto in the birth city of Puccini

Admitted participants will have daily lessons and/or coachings, as well as perform regularly.

You are to arrive at Pisa Gal Galilei airport (PSA) on September 9th, 2023. From there you will be transported to Convento dell'Angelo, Via Tramonte 2530, I-55100 Ponte a Moriano (LU).where you will be housed for the duration of your stay. The program fee covers accommodation, all meals, transportation to and from the airport, coaching, masterclasses, staff pianists, and facilities. There are no additional charges after you arrive in Lucca.

Total cost of program is €3150 and due in full prior to your arrival in Lucca.

Scholarships are available. If you are interested in the program, please apply, and we can determine together if it's a good fit for your goals and how to make the program accessible.