An Operatic Artist Training Program

Opera al Mare 

A Project of Opera Vermont

“Opera al Mare” a Cesenatico: Cantanti Lirici da tutto il mondo”

La compagnia americana Opera Vermont torna a Cesenatico per il quarto anno consecutivo, e presenta il suo programma estivo per la formazione di cantanti lirici nella lirica e nella lingua italiana. "Opera al Mare", questo il titolo dell’iniziativa, è allestita in collaborazione con il Comune di Cesenatico e vede protagonisti giovani studenti di varie nazionalità, i quali hanno l’opportunità di immergersi nella cultura italiana e affinare le proprie competenze musicali, indipendentemente dal livello di esperienza, dal principiante al professionista già affermato. Gli studenti provenienti da Stati Uniti, Canada, Iran e Australia, si esibiranno in una produzione originale de Il Trittico di Puccini, quindi tre opere (I Tabarro, Suor Angelica e Gianni Schicchi), che sarà proposta domenica, alle 21, al Teatro Comunale di Cesenatico; l’ingresso è ad offerta libera. La rappresentazione ha un taglio moderno, con temi più aggiornati e costumi contemporanei, come afferma il direttore artistico Joshua Collier: "Il mio desiderio è rendere vivo il messaggio dell’opera, che non è limitato ad un’epoca, ma è ancora attuale come testo". Joshua Collier ha partecipato a molte iniziative di profilo internazionale e in una occasione a Los Angeles, di fronte ad una platea di direttori artistici provenienti da tutto il mondo, ha parlato proprio di questo progetto a Cesenatico. Oltre alle rappresentazioni operistiche, gli studenti partecipano a un corso di italiano, arricchendo così la loro esperienza culturale. Il programma è reso possibile grazie alla collaborazione con il Comune di Cesenatico, nonché al supporto fondamentale dell’Hotel Miramare e della famiglia Vernocchi. La prossima settimana attori e cantanti saranno protagonisti di altri due spettacoli. Mercoledì 2 luglio, alle 21, in piazza delle Conserve si terrà "Opera sotto le stelle" a partecipazione sempre gratuita, mentre venerdì 4 luglio, alle 21, a bordo della piscina dell’Hotel Miramare, sul lungomare viale Carducci angolo porto canale, con lo spettacolo del Teatro Musicale Americano, anche questo aperto al pubblico. Sono dunque opportunità uniche per vivere la magia dell’opera in ambientazioni suggestive e coinvolgenti. Le persone interessante possono ottenere informazioni ed essere aggiornate visitando il sito www.operaalmare.com.

Il rapporto instaurato tra Opera Vermont e l’Hotel Miramare di Cesenatico, ha consentito in breve tempo di costruire un ponte culturale fra gli Stati Uniti e l’Emilia-Romagna, tant’è che recentemente la compagnia si è esibita a Bologna, dove lo scorso anno ebbe un grande successo. L’esperienza della compagnia americana è dunque l’occasione per vedere dal vivo dei giovani artisti che stanno maturando un’esperienza internazionale unica.

In English

The American company Opera Vermont returns to Cesenatico for the fourth consecutive year, and presents its summer program for the training of opera singers in opera and the Italian language. "Opera al Mare", this is the title of the initiative, is staged in collaboration with the Municipality of Cesenatico and features young students of various nationalities, who have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture and refine their musical skills, regardless of their level of experience, from beginners to established professionals. The students from the United States, Canada, England, Portugal, will perform in an original production of Puccini's Il Trittico, therefore three operas (I Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi), which will be performed on Sunday, at 9 pm, at the Teatro Comunale di Cesenatico; admission is free. The performance has a modern slant, with more up-to-date themes and contemporary costumes, as stated by artistic director Joshua Collier: "My desire is to bring to life the message of the opera, which is not limited to one era, but is still current in concept". Joshua Collier has participated in many international initiatives and on one occasion in Los Angeles, in front of an audience of artistic directors from all over the world, he spoke about this project in Cesenatico. In addition to the opera performances, the students participate in an Italian course, thus enriching their cultural experience. The program is made possible thanks to the collaboration with the Municipality of Cesenatico, as well as the fundamental support of the Hotel Miramare and the Vernocchi family. Next week, actors and singers will be the protagonists of two other shows. Wednesday, July 2, at 9 pm, in [Piazza delle Conserve] Theatre Domus Mea there will be a concert of favorite arias with free admission, while on Friday, July 4, at 9 pm, by the pool of the Hotel Miramare, on the seafront viale Carducci corner of Porto Canale, with the show of the American Musical Theatre, also open to the public. These are therefore unique opportunities to experience the magic of opera in beautiful and engaging settings. Interested people can obtain information and be updated by visiting the website www.operaalmare.com.

The relationship established between Opera Vermont and the Hotel Miramare in Cesenatico has allowed a cultural bridge to be built between the United States and Emilia-Romagna in a short time, so much so that the company recently performed in Bologna, where last year it had great success. The experience of the American company is therefore an opportunity to see live young artists who are maturing a unique international experience.

Study and perform Opera by the Adriatic Sea

On the coast of the Adriatic, Cesenatico offers immersion in authentic Italian culture, far from tourist crowds. This seaside jewel is known for its Porto Canale, which was designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

The Cesenatico Municipal Theatre is where Opera al Mare has made its summer home, in collaboration with the town of Cesenatico.

If you desire to grow in your understanding of the Italian language and culture, expand your personal repertoire, learn and perform a full-operatic role in the canon, and work with world-class faculty, this is the young artist’s program for you.

Public Performances 2025

We are delighted to invite the public to Cesenatico for many public performances throughout the town from June 29- July 4, 2025. None of these events are ticketed, but a free-will donation will be taken to offset the cost of production!

  • The faculty of Opera al Mare perform arias, duets, and ensembles from well-loved operatic favorites including La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, Lucia di Lammermoor, and many others.

  • The trilogy of one-act operas by one of the beloved masters of Italian opera, Giacomo Puccini. Each opera lasts about 50 minutes, and will have an extended break in-between each opera, so audience can spend the evening at the theatre, or see one ore two operas.

    Suor Angelica - A nun in a convent has a visit from her imposing aunt, who delivers the worst news imaginable, and has to decide how to deal with the fallout.

    Gianni Schicchi - A family with more money than sense awaits the death of the patriarch to receive their inheritence. Unfortunately for them, the patriarch had donated the entire estate to the church. The family enlists the help of the clever Gianni Schicchi to get them out of the mess.

    Il Tabarro - Giorgietta, the wife of boat-owner Michele, is tired of the mundane life of shipping. She begins a clandestine affair with one of Michele’s workers, Luigi, which leads Michele to resort to desperate measures to recover his life and wife.

    ALL OPERAS WILL BE FREE AND GENERAL ADMISSION

  • All participants, student and faculty, perform pieces from the operatic repertory spanning from the baroque to the contemporary! Francesco Ricci, Elaine Smith-Purcell, and Francesco Triossi accompany this concert under the stars.

  • Closing the program, the participants and faculty present their favorite American music to coincide with the national holiday of July 4th.

The Artists of Opera al Mare

Hear about Opera al Mare in their own words