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.

Opera Seme is hosted by Spazio Seme International Artistic Center

located in Arezzo, Italy.

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 of just under 100,000 boasts a wide range of sites to see including fortresses, monuments, churches, museums, theaters, and ancient Roman and Etruscan archeological ruins.

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

GUEST FACULTY

Mario Cassi, International Opera Singer

Claire Singher, Opernhaus Zürich

Dr. Martha Guth, Ithaca College, Sparks & Wiry Cries, SongFest

Eva Mei, International Opera Singer

Testimonials

I would recommend Opera Seme to any young singer looking to become immersed in Italian culture and to have the chance to perform a role in an Italian opera!

Jessica Livdahl

Soprano, Suor Angelica, Summer 2023

Program Cost & Details

Dates

June 30-July 28, 2024

Lodging

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

Cost

Opera program: $5,500.00
- Includes all musical activities, production costs, Italian classes at the Alpha British Centre, lodging in Arezzo, dinner weekdays, and 2 weekend excursions
Optional round trip group travel from Rome to Arezzo: $200 one way
- Includes overnight hotel stays in Rome June 29 and July 28
Optional additional weekend excursion to Verona to see an opera at the Arena di Verona: $200
Airfare not included

2024 Mainstage Performances

Il matrimonio segreto by Domenico Cimarosa
La corona and Il parnaso confuso by Christoph Willibald Gluck
Broadway Jazz concert with OIDA

Opera Seme summer 2024 season roles still available:

Il matrimonio segreto by Domenico Cimarosa

Elisetta - Soprano or Mezzo-Soprano
Geronimo - Buffo bass
Count Robinson - Baritone

La corona by Christoph Willibald Gluck

Meleagro - Soprano
Climene - Soprano

Il parnaso confuso - Gluck

Apollo - Soprano
Melpomene - Soprano

Audition Requirements

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

Singer Requested Materials:

Performance Resume
Performance Headshot
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

Pianist-Coach Requested Materials:

Performance Resume
Performance Headshot
1-2 Video performance(s) of a solo piano work
1-2 Video performances of work with a singer

Application Requirements