Baza natječaja

AT SCHOOL WITH LA SCALA

The La Scala Academy provides thorough, in-depth training to professional figures involved in the performing arts through its four departments: Music, Dance, Stagecraft, Management. Its broad curriculum ranges from basic and core training courses to specialization courses and professional workshops. The highest level of instruction is ensured by Teatro alla Scala professionals, acclaimed performers, and renowned experts in the performing arts. The teaching method derives from the philosophy of learning by doing and prepares students for their future career through intense daily exposure to the performing arts in a real world context.

The La Scala Opera Academy has a long and prestigious history. In 1946 the “Scuola di perfezionamento per giovani artisti lirici” [Advanced School for Young Opera Artists] was organized by then superintendent Antonio Ghiringhelli and Arturo Toscanini.

After 1953 the school was better known as the “Scuola dei Cadetti della Scala”. The school has produced notable voices - suffice it to mention the names of Luis Alva and Paolo Montarsolo - and was given new vigor in 1997 as the Accademia di perfezionamento per cantanti lirici [La Scala Opera Academy] under the guidance of Carlo Fontana and Riccardo Muti, who entrusted artistic direction to Leyla Gencer. After the death of the great soprano, the place of honor has been occupied by artistic directors of the caliber of Mirelli Freni and Renato Bruson. Today it is Luciana D’Intino who holds the reins, accompanied by artists and instructors of unquestionable quality, all sharing the objective of guiding young singers who have a solid musical background to a professional career through a rigorous two-year program.

The intensive program couples daily study with frequent participation in small roles in Teatro alla Scala productions, as well as a title on the season program entrusted entirely to Academy students, the Academy Project. Over the course of their two years at the Academy, students thus have the regular opportunity to put themselves to the test on one of the world’s most prestigious stages in the company of world renowned performers, conductors, and directors, both in new and in historical productions.

This participation in the La Scala season program, coupled with a rich performance schedule in Italy and abroad, makes this program like no other in the world. While it is true that role and repertory study in the classroom is critical for honing technique, actual performance on stage is essential not only for refining one’s interpretive skills but also for developing real world professional experience. 

The course is free of charge and students are given a monthly stipend.

The Academy prepares young singers possessing notable artistic and vocal qualities for a professional career as opera singers with a solid and high level vocal, musical, theatrical, and cultural background.

APPLICANT PROFILE

• age of at least eighteen and born after January 1, 1993;
• academic diploma in voice from a music conservatory or officially recognized institute of music. If studies were undertaken at a private school of music of with a private teacher, the director of the school or the teacher must issue, under his/her own responsibility, a statement attesting to the student’s qualifications.

The course itself is free of charge.

There is an application fee of 85 euros, including VAT, to be paid online during the application process.

Each student admitted to the La Scala Opera Academy will receive a monthly stipend of 900 euros, contingent upon effective attendance and limited to the months during which the course is offered. 

The stipend is made possible thanks to contributions from a large group of patrons, including foundations, associations, businesses, individuals, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which offers up to ten scholarships to foreign students as part of initiatives to promote cultural exchange, internationalization, Italian culture, and higher education.

You must apply on or before May 19, 2023.

1. REGISTRATION ON THE ENROLLMENT PLATFORM

Go to https://www.yaptracker.com/register-applicant and register on the website (registration is free).

2. BEGIN APPLICATION PROCESS

Complete and submit the application using the system provided on www.yaptracker.com (https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/teatro-alla-scalaacademy-2023).

3. ATTACHMENTS
The application must be submitted with the following attachments:

• scanned copy of identity document (national ID or passport);
• scanned copy of music and voice study certificates (see “Admission Requisites”, above);
• two links to video recordings of the candidate performing two opera arias (at least one must be in Italian; pieces from operettas, zarzuelas, or oratorios are not accepted) by different composers. The videos must be of amateur quality and unedited; professionally produced videos will not be accepted. The only requirements are clean sound and good visibility of the candidate. The Examining Committee will review the videos and other submitted documents and promptly provide eligible candidates with an invitation to the auditions (selection process) in Milan;
• detailed CV, signed and dated and including the following statements at the end of the CV:

1. I, the undersigned, aware of criminal penalties provided in Article 76 of Presidential Decree no. 445 of December 28, 2000 (D.P.R. 445/2000) in the case of false statements or acts, state, per Articles 46 and 47 of said Presidential Decree, that the content of this CV is true to the best of my knowledge;
2. Pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 196 of June 30, 2003 (D.Lgs. 196/2003 – “Privacy Law”) and EU Regulation 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), I hereby authorize processing of the personal data I have provided for the purposes of using my CV. 

• two recent digital photographs: one head and shoulders, the other full figure;
• scanned copy of document certifying placement in the top three positions in national or international solo voice competitions (optional);
• letters of reference from qualified music experts (optional).

The requested documents may be replaced by self-certifications. In this case the candidates accepts all penalties for false statements, including exclusion/expulsion from the Academy.

The Academy reserves the right to accept applications received after the deadline specified above. No applications will be accepted after the selection process has begun.

Candidates will be notified of the outcome of the selection process after the auditions have ended on the day of the final round. On or before September 30, 2023, students admitted to the course will receive instructions for completing their enrollment, which must be formalized on or before October 10, 2023.