Accademia dell’Opera Italiana

Brian Hughes & Massimo Modoni

Connect, Perform, Thrive

“Young artists from all over the world are able to hone their craft with opera professionals who are at the peak of their careers.”

About the Accademia

Accademia dell’Opera Italiana, founded by pianist Brian Hughes and baritone Massimo Modoni, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of opera talent. Based in London, the Accademia offers young musicians a platform to launch their careers, with a focus on creating a supportive environment where performance excellence and artistic growth can flourish.

Learning Opportunities

Our comprehensive educational programmes include five fully funded masterclasses for the 2025-26 season, beginning in October 2025. These London-based masterclasses are led by today’s leading opera professionals, featuring world-class artists such as mezzo-soprano Raffaella Milanesi, soprano Nila Masala, bass Mirco Palazzi, alongside our core coaching team including Silvio Zanon, Chiara Angella, Massimo Modoni, and Brian Hughes.

Each of our eight exceptional young artists receives full sponsorship to participate in these transformative sessions, providing invaluable artistic growth and technical refinement.

In addition, our Italian masterclasses hosted in the historic city of Nardò, Puglia, build on this experience by offering further immersion into Italian operatic tradition. For example, our August 2025 residency with esteemed conductor Emanuela Di Pietra will provide focused coaching in a unique cultural setting.

Perform and Network

Beyond training, the Accademia’s concert series offers young artists multiple opportunities to perform, connect, and network with both peers and established professionals. Under the leadership of founders Brian Hughes and Massimo Modoni, AOI has presented over 15 concerts during the 2024-25 season, held in prestigious venues across Italy and the UK such as Lauderdale House, Conway Hall, Teatro Comunale di Nardo, the Carmelitani Cloiseter in Nardo, and the Basilica di Santa Chiara in Conversano. These events allow participants to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and build the essential connections for a thriving opera career.

We are proud of our partnership with Irish Heritage, supporting two of our eight young artists as they develop their careers through AOI’s programmes.

Our Mission

The goal of Accademia dell’Opera Italiana is to expose young opera talent to the Italian market and provide the best professional coaching on Italian repertoire. We equip our artists not only with vocal and musical excellence but also with practical insights on how to audition for and build a career in Italy’s vibrant operatic landscape. This dual focus ensures our singers are artistically prepared and strategically positioned to thrive on both national and international stages.

Below - Our Founders Brian Hughes and Massimo Modoni

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Our Faculty

Creating a nurturing and highly effective mentorship environment is at the heart of Accademia dell’Opera Italiana’s mission. AOI connects young artists with an exceptional faculty of Italian opera experts, including renowned soprano Nila Masala, Chiara Angella, and Raffaella Milanesi, baritone Silvio Zanon and Massimo Modoni, bass Mirco Palazzi, Royal Opera House vocal coach Sasha Naoumenko, repetiteurs Andrés Jesús Gallucci and Brian Hughes, conductors Renato Balsadonna and Emanuela di Pietro, and director Marco Bellussi.

Our mentors are active professionals currently engaged with some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses and festivals, such as La Scala, La Fenice, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Arena di Verona, Royal Ballet and Opera, Teatro Petruzzelli, among others. We believe it is essential for young artists to learn directly from experts who remain fully immersed in the field and can guide them not only through vocal challenges but also the complexities of auditions, agency relationships, and professional representation in today’s opera landscape.

With such a remarkable team, the Accademia ensures emerging talents receive top-tier training and mentorship, fostering the next generation of opera stars.

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Our Courses

Italian Summer campus

AOI Summer Campus in Nardò, Italia
We are thrilled to present the Accademia dell'Opera Italiana's exclusive opera masterclass set in the enchanting region of Puglia, Italy.
Running from August 7th to 15th, 2025, this program offers 8 young talents from around the world a unique opportunity to refine their skills under the guidance of world-class maestros.
Open to 8 singers and 2 repetiteurs, this immersive experience, supported by Regione Puglia and the City of Nardò, combines intensive musical training with cultural enrichment.
The course is led by internationally acclaimed Baritone Massimo Modoni, Conductor Emauela di Pietro and repetiteur Brian Hughes.
Belcanto bootcamp - London Masterclasses

Experience the Art of Belcanto with Our London-Based Masterclasses
The Accademia dell'Opera Italiana presents the Belcanto Bootcamp, a series of intensive masterclasses in London, limited to 8 singers and 4 repetiteurs. Participants will work with renowned professionals like Italian soprano Nila Masala and Royal Opera House vocal coach Alexandre Naoumenko.
Masterclasses are offered on a full scholarship basis for Vocal Masters and Opera School students, with spots available for professional singers and adult learners at a fee. Focus on Italian operatic arias, honing vocal technique, language, and bel canto style.
Each session culminates in a public performance at on of our London Partnered venues showcasing participants' refined artistry.
121 session with us

The Accademia dell'Opera Italiana offers exclusive one-on-one lessons designed to help aspiring opera singers refine their skills with personalized guidance from some of the best in the field.
Under the direction of renowned baritone Massimo Modoni and his partner, pianist and composer Brian Hughes, these sessions provide customized instruction to enhance each student's vocal technique and stage presence.
The Accademia also provides access to world-class opera and art song specialists, including internationally acclaimed soprano Nila Masala, tenor Sasha Naoumenko (a vocal coach at the Royal Opera House).
With this exceptional faculty, students gain a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, preparing them for successful careers in opera.