Frequently Asked Questions
AM I RIGHT FOR OPERA AL MARE?
OPERA AL MARE artistically is geared toward musicians at advanced stages of development, but in addition, we constantly look for community members that are music-lovers, adventure-seekers, and burgeoning Italiophiles. We have undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, and continuing educational applicants for musical positions, and community members from just out of college through well into conventional retirement. The thing that connects all of them is a love of the operatic art form and a desire to expand their horizons artistically, and their understanding of the Italian culture and culture in music, generally. If you are interested in being a part of a group of dedicated artists and art-lovers; if you have an adventurous spirit and desire to see parts of the world not often encountered; if you are able to enjoy sitting on the warm sand, listening to the waves, or eating gelato every day, or drinking way too much Aperol Spritz, than the answer is a resounding YES, OPERA AL MARE IS FOR YOU!
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT TO APPLY?
Participants are required to be over the age of 18, but there is no upper age limit. We accept musicians on the basis of potential and the stage of musical and theatrical development, and community members based on how well we think they will serve as ambassadors for Opera Vermont, and America in general!
DO I NEED TO SPEAK ITALIAN?
You do not, but certainly the better you speak, the more you will get from your experience. Depending on your facility with the Italian language, instruction may conducted in English or Italian, with as much conversation outside of class in Italian as the participant desires. Italian language classes, and the development of linguistic understanding are an integral part of the experience to enhance your enjoyment of being in this beautiful foreign country. Information about the Italian classes offered, and Professoressa Sandra Carletti can be found here
DO I NEED A TRAVEL VISA TO COME TO ITALY?
US citizens do not need a visa to visit Italy for a stay of fewer than 90 days. This article provides a good summary of requirements, and citizens of other countries should check for their specific requirements. US citizens must travel on a valid passport with an expiration date at least 3 months after their planned departure date, and six months is the recommended validity period. For example, if you are planning to return to the USA after Opera al Mare on July 6, 2024, your passport’s expiration date must be on or after October 6, 2024, at least, but January 6, 2025, is highly recommended. For further information about updated visa requirements, please visit: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/
WILL THE OPERAS BE PERFORMED WITH ORCHESTRA?
Yes, the major production of Don Giovanni will be performed with an orchestral ensemble.
HOW MANY CASTS ARE THERE?
Our operas will be single cast with covers. With such a limited amount of time, we seek to place a high value on individual and intensive learning by only having one singer performing each individual role. The covers will be invited to staging rehearsals, and welcome to shadow when appropriate, but will perform in scenes concerts with repertoire from the operas this season, as well as other repertoires. We coordinate rehearsals to provide singers with as much individual instruction and coaching with faculty as possible so that both the principal cast and covers are as prepared as possible.
HOW CAN I TRAVEL TO/FROM CESENATICO?
Access to Cesenatico via train could not be simpler, as the regional train connecting Cesenatico to Bologna leaves every hour, and from Bologna, you can access the rest of Europe easily and effortlessly. Tickets can be found at www.trenitalia.it Or www.italo.it. It is also possible to rent a car and travel if that best suits you. There are many car rental companies throughout Italy that would be happy to rent you a car for a day to visit San Marino, or the entire time at OPERA AL MARE, just using the Hotel Miramare as a home base and jumping off point (NB: Parking is paid, but is plentiful within a 5 minute walk of the hotel.) Arriving to Italy initially, there are two airports that are very close to Cesenatico: first, Ancona airport. 5km from the airport is a train that runs up the coast of the Adriatic from Ancona, and passes directly through Cesenatico. The other option would be Bologna airport, and the transfer to the Bologna Centrale train station allows you to arrive in time for the hourly train to Cesenatico. While these are the closest, there certainly is no reason why you should not fly into Milan, Venice, or even Rome - it only signifies another few hours in a train, soaring through the Italian countryside.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE OR LEAVE?
Accommodation is available in the afternoon of the first day listed of the program (June 17) and check-out is on the last day (July 6). Transportation to Cesenatico will be at the discretion of the participant (see above), and is easily accessible by train from Bologna Centrale every hour.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY LIKE AT OPERA AL MARE?
To get a complete overview of a day at Opera al Mare click here.
WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE?
Students and community members alike will be housed in the Hotel Miramare, a few meters from the Adriatic ocean. The rooms will be assigned upon arrival but will be single occupancy so that each participant has their own personal space to relax. The students and the community members will all be housed in the same hotel, while the faculty will be in an adjacent hotel. The rehearsal spaces will be within the hotel compound, with a small gym, swimming pool, sauna, and just within a 3 minute walk, the beach and ocean for early morning or late night swims, and hundreds of bars, restaurants, and gelateria along the way. Please visit this website for more information about Cesenatico in general!
ARE MEALS INCLUDED IN MY TUITION?
Yes, absolutely. The tuition of artist and community members include a full-pension which means that full breakfast, gourmet 3 course lunch and dinner, with wine, is included. As Cesenatico is such a wonderful culinary destination, there is still the flexibility for participants to experience the “Piadina” (a 5E, filling, folded flatbread, typical of the region) for lunch or a Michelin starred restaurant for dinner, and everything and every price-point in between, but it is not a requirement to find food elsewhere, for any meal.
DO I HAVE TO PAY THE ENTIRE TUITION AT ONCE?
No, although if you would like to, it would be most welcome. We understand, however, that the tuition for Opera al Mare is a significant investment, and depending on your financial situation, might not be possible to remit the entire payment at once. We are happy to have the payment come in two separate payments, with the first payment being a non-refundable deposit, guaranteeing your participation, and the remainder of the payment due by March 1, 2024. If full payment is not made by March 1, 2024, the half-tuition will be non-refundable, and we will have no choice but to open your space to another community member. We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different, and we are here to help you make the choice for participation that makes the most sense for you. Please be in touch with us if there is anything we can do to make your dreams of opera in Italy become a reality. Email Tricia Welch at welch@barnopera.com.
DOES TUITION COVER ANY INCIDENTAL EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE GENERAL SCHEDULE?
The short answer is no. The tuition covers room/board/Italian classes/musical activities, but anything extra is at the discretion of each participant. A discretionary amount is a personal decision and truly depends on what each participant plans to purchase/experience, and what their abilities are. There is ample opportunity for shopping while in Cesenatico, and there is nothing better than snacks on the beach, so we recommend some amount of discretionary funds to facilitate access to comforts. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Opera al Mare will be covered in your participation fee, but any incidental that you should decide to purchase (snacks, gelato, alcohol, etc) will be at the discretion of each participant. There will be possible excursions to surrounding areas, so having some cash on hand is advisable, but generally, it would be unwise to have more than a few hundred Euro in cash at any given time.
WHAT DOES BARN OPERA/OPERA VERMONT HAVE TO DO WITH THIS?
Opera Vermont/BARN OPERA is a regional opera company based in Brandon Vermont and is run by Artistic Director, Joshua Collier. Opera al Mare is a project designed by Collier and OVT/BARN to redefine the rules and expectations of the traditional summer opera training program and to provide a nurturing and supportive environment, with a faculty that is of the highest caliber. Opera al Mare brings the passion and dedication of BARN OPERA across the Atlantic and hopes to promote growth and learning both in the operatic repertoire but also in the global citizenry and community. Please see the Philosophy for more on the reason for beginning this adventure.
COVID-19 RESPONSE
OPERA AL MARE continues to monitor the pandemic closely. We are committed to carrying out our 2024 festival in a safe environment, adhering to WHO health recommendations and standards, as well as all government advisories, which are continually adapting to the changing situation. Please rest assured that the safety of our participants and staff is our top priority. We will do our utmost to accommodate each circumstance personally and respond as best as we are able.