Spend a summer in La Spezia, a beautiful port city by the sea, where art and history meet daily life. Opera in Italy is a month of study, performance, and cultural discovery created for students who want to deepen their love for music while living in one of the most inspiring parts of Europe.

The Experience

Students work with internationally recognized faculty and visiting artists who provide personal guidance in lessons, workshops, and rehearsals. Singers perform in concerts across Liguria and Tuscany, while those seeking a broader academic path participate in classes, cultural activities, and guided excursions.

The program is hosted in collaboration with the Giacomo Puccini Conservatory. Since the conservatory is active during the summer, participants study simultaneously with Italian students, gaining a rare look into conservatory life in Europe.

Academic Credit

Opera in Italy welcomes both music majors and non-majors. Course credit is awarded.

Travel and Culture

Students explore Florence, Verona, Venice, and other historic cities alongside daily classes and performances. Free days provide the chance to discover Pisa, Genoa, Lucca, and the villages of the Cinque Terre. The program concludes with an evening at the Arena di Verona, where you can experience an opera in one of the most famous theaters in the world.

Training and Performances

Participants studying voice receive intensive instruction with Dr. Mitchell Hutchings, a voice professional known for his work with emerging singers. Training focuses on Italian song, opera repertoire, musical theatre, and contemporary commercial music. Students participate in multiple concerts, each designed to match their level and ability, leaving Italy with greater skill and confidence as artists. All concerts are recorded in 4K with high-quality audio.

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