Faculty: Veronica Simeoni
1. Applicants
The course is open to a maximum of 12 candidates of any nationality between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application. This is an exclusive educational opportunity designed to ensure intensive, personalized, and high-quality training.
2. Course Objectives
The course offers a highly professional experience aimed at perfecting vocal and interpretative operatic technique. Alongside individual and group lessons, participants will gain hands-on immersion in the productions of Teatro Coccia in Novara, thanks to an intensive work experience program designed to guide students toward a real artistic career. The 2026 academic year, in particular, will be enriched by a special focus on innovative projects – La Bohème in una stanza, DNA Italia – Il Signor Bruschino, Micro-opere con musica nuova, Trame di libertà e Chi ha paura del melodramma – giving students the opportunity to experiment with different languages and formats while engaging with new trends in musical theatre. With this approach, the course goes beyond technical training to become a creative and professional laboratory, offering students concrete placement opportunities. It is structured to be compatible with other academic or professional commitments and allows participants free access to all Teatro Coccia productions, giving them the chance to experience the operatic world in its entirety.
3. Course Period and Format
The course will take place at Teatro Coccia in Novara and will be held over several nonconsecutive periods from JANUARY 2026 to DECEMBER 2026. Lessons will be scheduled in alignment with the Theatre’s calendar, with particular focus on musical theatre productions and alongside other course schedules. In the event of interruption due to force majeure, affected lessons will be held online. At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance will be issued, provided the conditions outlined in point 8 of this announcement are met. The most outstanding students may be considered for future collaborations or recommended for professional opportunities. The Academy maintains contact with its alumni, creating opportunities for debuts, concerts, and professional referrals. Attendance is mandatory and is it also required to take part in any production of the Teatro Coccia. Any circumstances that may partially hinder participation in lessons or productions must be communicated to the Academy’s administration.
4. Curriculum
The course includes 25 days of theoretical and practical lessons and approximately 50
days of work experience. Work experience periods, integrated into Teatro Coccia
productions, are a crucial and mandatory component for all participants. Maximum
seriousness, commitment, and flexibility are required, as theatre production schedules
often involve unconventional hours.
In addition, the 2026 academic year will place special emphasis on innovative artistic
and educational projects, which will be an essential and compulsory part of the training
program:
- Progetto speciale La Bohème in una stanza
- Rassegna DNA Italia – Il Signor Bruschino
- Micro-opere con musica nuova
- Progetto speciale Trame di libertà
- Rassegna Chi ha paura del melodramma
The Artistic Direction, in agreement with the Faculty, will select students deemed
suitable to be involved in scheduled productions. The nature of the engagement and
any additional conditions will be discussed at the time of role assignment.
The lesson calendar is subject to change, which will be promptly communicated to
students.
5. Application procedure
To access the selection, it is necessary to send the following documents by email (subject of the email “AMO – COURSE FOR OPERA SINGERS”):
- This Open Call filled in all its parts and initialed on each page;
- Completed application form (attachment A) with copy of the identity document and tax code NB: (foreigners are also required to send valid visa / permit of stay, or adequate documentation certifying their renewal);
- Detailed educational and artistic Curriculum;
- Video of 2 arias of your choice from the traditional opera repertoire, of which at least one in Italian (send link to YouTube with date and place of recording);
-
Payment receipt by bank transfer to the Fondazione Teatro Carlo Coccia di Novara IBAN IT 80 X 05034 10100 000000042424 of the application fee of € 40,00 (VAT included).
NB Bank commission costs are entirely borne by the candidates.
E-mail address segreteria.amo@fondazioneteatrococcia.it
ATTENTION: all the files requested above must be sent in complete and correct PDF format
(NO PHOTOS).
Students who have already attended one academic year of the course and wish to
enroll again must also submit the required documents listed in points 1, 2, 3 and 5.
6. Selection and audition
The selection will be based on the submitted videos; however, the Faculty reserves the right to request an additional live audition, which will take place at Teatro Coccia in Novara on December 18th, 2025. For the live audition, selected candidates must present four arias from the operatic repertoire in the original language, at least three of which must be in Italian, to be performed from memory. An accompanist will be provided by the theatre upon request at the time of registration; in this case, it is mandatory to send a copy of the scores of the selected pieces by email and to bring an additional copy to be given to the pianist for performance. Candidates may alternatively choose to be accompanied by their own pianist at their own expense. At the end of the auditions, candidates deemed suitable will take part in an interview designed to assess their motivation, aptitudes, and the coherence of their training path with the objectives of the Academy.
7. Deadlines and terms
- no later than midnight GMT+1 on 15 November 2025 applications for admission, accompanied by what is indicated in point 5, must be sent to the e-mail address segreteria.amo@fondazioneteatrococcia.it;
- by 29 November 2025 the results of the selections and the possible call for the in-person audition will be sent to the candidates;
- at the end of any in-person hearings that will take place over on 18 December 2025, the names of the candidates admitted to the course will be communicated;
- the course will begin in February 2026.
8. Costs and conditions of participation
The annual participation fee for the course is € 2.000,00 (VAT included), for admitted students.
The participation fee must be paid in 2 installments of € 1000,00 each each by bank transfer to
Fondazione Teatro Carlo Coccia di Novara.
IBAN IT 80 X 05034 10100 000000042424
1st installment deadline: by 15 January 2026
2nd installment deadline: by 27 March 2026
NB: it is MANDATORY to send the payment receipt to the e-mail address
segreteria.amo@fondazioneteatrococcia.it
Failure to meet payment deadlines will result in termination of course attendance. Thanks to agreements with local facilities, students from outside the area may access housing at reduced rates (at their own expense). Furthermore, the Academy supports talent: scholarships or financial aid may be provided to deserving candidates or those with proven financial need.