Acccademia dell'Opera Italiana

Presented by the Accademia dell’Opera Italiana, Lead by Salvatore Cordella and Massimo Modonu, with the extraordinary participation of Conductor Emanuela di Pietro and Director Danilo Coppola

An Unparalleled Operatic Training Experience

The Accademia dell’Opera Italiana (AOI) Summer Opera School is a prestigious program designed to cultivate the next generation of opera singers. Over five days, participants engage in an immersive artistic journey, receiving intensive training from a faculty of world-class professionals.

This unique program combines rigorous vocal and musical coaching with the rich cultural tapestry of Italy. Singers reside and study in the heart of Southern Italy, refining their artistry in an environment steeped in operatic tradition.

Final Performances in Nardò

Culminating their intensive training, our Young Artists will present an opera gala on Monday November 17th at 7pm, at the historic caffè letterario neritonense in Nardò, Puglia. This picturesque cloister, with its serene ambiance and historical significance, provides an enchanting backdrop for these operatic showcases. Located a short walk from Piazza Salandra, the heart of Nardò, the Chiostro offers an authentic atmosphere enriched by historic architecture and vibrant local culture.

Fees and Scholarships

AOI is committed to nurturing exceptional talent by offering 6 scholarships to outstanding young artists, one at 100%, one at 50% and one at 25% of of the total fee. These scholarships cover all tuition fees and accommodation prorata. The remaining artists can participate for an all-inclusive fee of £675, which includes tuition and shared housing accommodation. Faculty and participants will share the same living space, fostering a familial atmosphere that enhances understanding of the social and linguistic nuances essential to Italian opera.

Meet the Artistic Team

• Voice Teacher: Tenor Salvatore Cordella, is an Italian tenor from Copertino whose career has taken him to major stages including Teatro alla Scala, the Salzburg Festival, Opéra Bastille, and the Metropolitan Opera. A graduate of the Conservatorio “Tito Schipa” in Lecce, he is celebrated for his performances in roles such as Rodolfo (La Bohème), Alfredo (La Traviata), Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor), and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly). Alongside his international career, Cordella is the founder and artistic director of the International Arts Festival and the academy “Germogli d’Arte” in Copertino, where he nurtures emerging operatic talent.

• Italian Coach & Voice Teacher: Massimo Modoni
  Baritone and founder of AOI, Massimo has sung at prestigious venues such as Teatro Malibran (Venice), Accademia Chigiana (Siena), Teatro Dante Alighieri (Ravenna), Teatro Comunale (Ferrara), Conway Hall (London), the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (Ireland), The Luglio Trapanese And the Bastianini Festival in Siena.His collaborations include working with conductors Renato Balsadonna, Paolo Olmi, Emanuela Di Pietro, and David Brophy, and with pianists such as Michele D’Elia, Joice Fieldsen, and Andrés Gallucci

  As visiting coaches we will be delighted to welcome:

• Conductor: Emanuela di Pietro Serving as Chorus Master at Teatro La Fenice in Venice and Teatro Petruzzelli in Bari, Emanuela Di Pietro is also a principal professor at the Conservatorio di Musica San Pietro a Majella in Naples. Her international career includes collaborations with renowned conductors such as Claudio Abbado and Riccardo Muti, as well as conducting at the Verdi Festival in Beijing.

• Director: Danilo Coppola, Born in Sicily, Danilo Coppola began his journey in theatre and music at a very young age — first as a dancer and later through the study of the violin. He graduated in Scenography from the Academy of Fine Arts in Palermo and attended the AMO Academy in Novara for the Opera Directing course. He went on to earn a Master’s degree in Opera Direction from the Verona Academy for Opera (VAO), while also pursuing advanced studies in Scenography at the Academy of Fine Arts in Urbino and simultaneously studying Law. Alongside his career as a scenographer, he developed a strong interest in stage direction. Since 2022, he has directed opera productions for which he has overseen stage direction, sets, and costumes in their entirety. He specializes in Baroque and contemporary repertoire, earning critical acclaim for his work. Since 2024, he has served as Director of Productions at the De Carolis Theatre in Sassari. Maestro Coppola is the stagecraft and movement professor at the Brescia conservatotoire.

Course structure

Each of the 8 participants will enjoy a 50 minute session daily for the 5 days of the course. The focus of the masterclass is the 18th and 19th century Italian operatic repertoire. Each candidate is required to present up to 4 arias or scenes to be worked on during the daily sessions. Our holistic approach combines the vocal guidance of Salvatore Cordella Massimo Modoni with the musical coaching of conductor Emanuela Di Pietro and the stagecraft input of Maestro Coppola.

Arrival date: November 12th Departure date: November 18th.

We recommend flying to the local airport of Brindisi. From there, you can travel to Nardò via public transport, although it can take a while as our lovely village is blissfully located close to the coast.

APPLICATION

Kindly email an up to date biography, headshot and two recent videos showcasing at least one Italian operatic aria to: massimo@accademiadelloperaitaliana.com