Canto Lirico

Preparatory course in opera singing

The Preparatory Opera Singing Course at the Saint Louis College of Music is a propaedeutic training course for access to the Academic Three-year Level I course. It is aimed at students who wish to develop a solid technical, musical and interpretive foundation in opera singing, within a structured and progressive course of instruction.

The course includes individual opera singing lessons, coupled with the study of vocal repertoire (ancient arias, chamber pieces, Lied and opera arias of appropriate difficulty). Training is complemented by chamber music for voice and piano, choral training, sung solfeggio, ear training, harmony and diction, with emphasis on developing vocal technique, breath control and stylistic awareness.

Duration 1 to 2 years, depending on entry level

Attendance from 6 to 10 hours per week, in regular or long-distance mode, depending on the curriculum and student need

Where Rome, Saint Louis College of Music

Language Italian and English

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INSIGHTS

The Pre-Academic Opera Singing course is divided into two progressive levels, varying in length depending on the student’s entry level and vocal growth path.
The teaching structure is designed to accompany in a gradual and conscious way towardadmission to the Three-Year Academic Level I of the Saint Louis College of Music.

During the course you will acquire skills in the following areas:

Individual opera singing lessons, aimed at developing vocal technique, breath control, natural emission, register management and timbral homogeneity.
Study of vocal repertoire, from ancient arias and introductory chamber pieces to opera arias, oratorios, Lied and mélodies of difficulty appropriate to the student’s vocal maturity.
Chamber music for voice and piano, to develop mutual listening, sound balance, phrasing and stylistic awareness in the European chamber music repertoire.
Sung solfeggio and ear training, with exercises in music reading, intonation, interval recognition and autonomy in studying repertoire.
Study of harmony and music theory, functional for understanding musical language and preparing for academic entrance examinations.
Choral training, to refine intonation, rhythmic sense, ensemble work skills and knowledge of polyphonic repertoire.
Diction and interpretation, with emphasis on Italian diction and early concepts of Latin, German and French diction, performance style and stage presence.
Music Technology, use of major music production software applied to study, practice and production in the classical field.

Upon successful completion of the pre-academic course in Opera Singing, the student directly enters the three-year Level I Academic Diploma in Opera Singing, a degree recognized by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and issued by the Saint Louis College of Music..

The academic course enables the development of vocal, interpretive and musical skills geared toward the professionalization of the opera singer, both in performance and in artistic and institutional settings.

Career outlets of the Three-Year Academic Level I Program in Opera Singing

Opera singer for opera productions, concerts, oratorios and music reviews, in theatrical and institutional settings.
Performer of chamber music repertoire, Lied and mélodies, for recitals, concert seasons and chamber music projects.
Soloist or ensemble artist in vocal and choral ensembles, specializing in classical and sacred repertoire.
Singer for musical productions and interdisciplinary projects integrating music, theater and performance.

The Pre-Academic Opera Singing Course at the Saint Louis College of Music is designed for students who already possess vocal aptitude and a musical foundation, even if not academic, and wish to embark on a structured course of preparation for entry into the Three-Year Level I Academic Course.

The course does not start from scratch: admission is by entrance test, aimed at assessing vocality, intonation, musicality and basic skills, respecting the age and vocal maturity of the candidate.

Entrance test and pathway customization

Depending on the level demonstrated during the entrance test, it is possible to enter the first level of the pre-academic course or be placed directly into the second level, if vocal and musical preparation allows.

For each discipline (opera singing, ear training, harmony), the student is placed in the level best suited to their skills. Each subject follows an autonomous and progressive path, guaranteeing personalized training, consistent with the student’s technical-vocal development and oriented toward the acquisition of the skills to enter the Three-Year Level I program in Opera Singing.

How the entrance test is conducted

Entrance tests for Saint Louis pre-college courses are held:

in June
In September, exclusively for any places still available

The entrance test evidence includes:

Singing test, with performance of 1-2 pieces of your choice (ancient arias, chamber pieces, Lied or simple mélodies), in-depth examinations requested by the committee (see admission program by clicking on “Download syllabus“)
Harmony test, structured as per facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of harmony
Ear training test, structured as per the facsimile for access to the 2nd and 3rd levels of ear training
Aptitude interview aimed at assessing the student’s profile, awareness of the chosen path, and motivation

The pre-academic course provides a choice of four different attendance modes, designed to meet different educational and organizational needs.

Ordinary Attendance: weekly meetings, with a commitment of between 6 and 10 hours of lectures, concentrated in 2-4 days per week. This mode allows for guided and continuous learning, with constant comparisons and regular progress checks. Requires an average individual study commitment of about 6 hours daily.Some subjects are available both in-person and entirely online.
Long-distance attendance: a mode designed for students who do not reside in or near Rome, or for those who work. Provides From 6 to 8 hours of classes concentrated all Friday afternoons online (Ear Training and Harmony) and Saturdays, one week in attendance and one week online, alternating one week in attendance and one week online. Long-distance attendance with Saturday classes is provided exclusively for pre-academic courses.
Teen Music Academy attendance: a mode optimized for students attending high school, with a personalized course that engages one or two afternoons a week. The goal is access to academic courses upon graduation from high school. If there is special ability and talent, admission to academic courses is possible even before graduation. Some subjects are available both in-person and entirely online.
DAD attendance: an entirely distance learning mode, aimed at students from all over the world, which allows students to attend training without any physical attendance requirements.