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Program Details

OUR MISSION

Opera Seme strives to give singers and pianists an immersive Italian experience through language study, cultural exploration, lessons, coachings, masterclasses, special topics workshops, and performances.

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Opera Seme is hosted by Spazio Seme International Artistic Center

located in Arezzo, Italy.

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Opera Seme is an intensive immersion experience intended to push the boundaries and provide a safe space to explore outside of one's comfort zone. By working with international artists and learning a variety of techniques, artists can expect to strengthen the mind-body connection, better understand their instruments, and get the chance to perform an entire role in Italian.

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All artists are expected to arrive in Arezzo with their music learned. It is highly recommended that singers arrive completely off book.

ABOUT AREZZO

The deep artistic history of Arezzo, its optimal location between Florence and Rome, and the small size of the intimate city make it a perfect spot for those that want an authentic study abroad experience in Italy. It’s the ideal place to soak up Tuscany’s ambiance while bypassing the region’s crowded cities.

 

Arezzo is the hometown of Guido d’Arezzo–the father of modern Western musical notation–and is about an hour away from Florence, the birthplace of opera. Located in picturesque southeastern Tuscany, the city boasts a wide range of sites to see including fortresses, monuments, churches, museums, theaters, and ancient Roman and Etruscan archeological ruins.

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Arezzo is constructed on a hillside, with a pedestrian-friendly historic city center. Be prepared to do A LOT of walking! Bring good walking shoes, and practice walking on an incline if you're not used to that kind of activity.

OUR FACULTY

Dr. Matthew Schloneger, Friends University, Opera Kansas
Dr. Jen Stephenson, Baylor University, Music On Site
Dr. Alison Trainer, Boston University
Gianni Bruschi, Spazio Seme
Paula Gelpi, Chicago Opera Theatre
Lorenzo Magi, Coach/Collaborative Pianist

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PAST FACULTY

Mario Cassi, International Opera Singer | Claire Singher, Opernhaus Zürich | Dr. Martha Guth, Ithaca College, Sparks & Wiry Cries, SongFest | Eva Mei, International Opera Singer | Ana Flavia Zuim, New York University, Hamilton | Rafael Gordillo, Opernhaus Zürich | Jon Kellam, International Artist | Blythe Gaissert | Gianni Santucci | Dr. Joshua May | Whittaker Locke | Dr. J. Bradley Baker | Lauren Koszyk

Testimonials

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Opera Seme was an amazing experience for me. The people were extremely nice, the town was safe, and the performance opportunities were amazing! I would recommend Opera Seme to someone who is looking for an exciting adventure of travel and opera while wanting to gain new friends, skills, and role experience.

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Ellie McBride

Soprano, Summer 2024

Program Cost & Details

Dates

June 29-July 27, 2025

 

Lodging 

Le Gagliarde. Located in the historical city center about 15 minutes walk from the Arezzo train station, and 8 minutes walk to Piazza Grande.

Terra d'Arezzo. Located in the historical city center about 10 minutes walk from the Arezzo train station, and 3 minutes walk to Piazza Grande.

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Cost

  • Opera program: $5,500.00

    • Includes all musical activities, production costs, Italian classes, lodging in Arezzo, dinner 4 nights per week, and 2 weekend excursions

  • Optional round trip group travel from Rome to Arezzo: $200 one way 

    • Includes overnight hotel stays in Rome June 28 and July 27

  • Optional additional weekend excursion to Verona to see an opera at the Arena di Verona: $225 (includes round-trip train travel, opera ticket, hotel, and dinner)

  • Airfare not included

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2025 Mainstage Performances

  • Alcina by G.F. Handel

  • Mese Mariano by Umberto Giordano

  • Amelia al Ballo by Gian Carlo Menotti

  • Opera Scenes

  • Broadway Jazz concert with OIDA

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Audition Requirements
 

*Opera Seme auditions are completely virtual.  There is no application fee. 
 

Singer Requested Materials:

  • Performance Resume

  • Performance Headshot

  • 2 References

  • Complete Repertoire List

  • 2-3 representative video recordings. Not all recordings must be arias; art songs are accepted. If available, please include one musical theatre or jazz selection

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Pianist-Coach Requested Materials:

  • Performance Resume

  • Performance Headshot

  • 2 References

  • 1-2 Video performance(s) of a solo piano work

  • 1-2 Video performances of work with a singer​

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Application Requirements

  • Priority application deadline: January 15, 2025

  • Final acceptance and deposit deadline: February 16, 2025

  • Late applications may be accepted until May 30, 2025

  • Payment deadlines:

    • $2,000 deposit due February 16, 2025 (50% refundable until March 30)

    • $2,000 installment due March 30, 2025 (non-refundable after March 30)

    • Remaining balance due June 1, 2025

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