A Different Kind of Artistic Experience

As artists ourselves, we truly understand the difficulty of becoming an artist, especially in those formative years: the self-doubt, the constant pressure to create, the crippling nerves, and the unrelenting fear of failure—particularly within traditional Young Artist Programs. These elements of the historical industry are part of the toxicity we're working to remedy at Opera Vermont and, by extension, Opera al Mare.

We believe the holistic artist deserves a safe place to explore, learn, develop, grow, and—perhaps most importantly—fail. Failure isn't a character flaw or a harbinger of judgment, but rather the most visceral gateway to radical growth. Our goal is to nurture and support all artists, wherever they are on their journey, and we look forward to watching Opera al Mare participants flourish and thrive long after their time with us.

Is Opera al Mare Right for You?

If you're an artist who seeks to:

• Grow in your understanding of Italian language and culture

• Expand your personal repertoire and learn full operatic roles from the canon

• Work with some of the best and most supportive faculty in the field

• Be part of a tight-knit community of artists just like you

Yes, Opera al Mare is for you.

Transparency & Accessibility: Our Commitment

We know the cost and stigma of "pay-to-sing" programs is at the forefront of conversations about equity and accessibility in opera. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Opera Vermont's mission is to break down the socio-economic barriers that exist in the opera industry and provide a level of transparency not found elsewhere, so you can make an informed, comfortable decision about attending Opera al Mare.

Tuition Breakdown: 5000 Euro

Here's exactly where your investment goes:

• 4000 – Private artist housing, meals, wine, taxes, and accommodations

• 500 – Faculty stipends (divided among 7 world-class artists)

• $500 – Incidental costs including theatre tax, props, sets, costumes, and excursions

Why This Model?

Our faculty—who perform on some of the world's most prestigious stages—are with us because they love the mission and fervently believe in supporting the next generation of operatic artists, not to line their pockets.

While many similar programs double or triple cast productions to maximize revenue, we've chosen to single-cast our shows and maintain a boutique group of no more than 15 participants. This ensures each artist receives a curated, specialized, and immensely valuable experience—not just another line on a résumé.

Changing the Narrative

Our ambition is to transform the paradigm surrounding traditional summer Young Artist Programs. We're committed to providing a meaningful, personal, and individualized experience equally balanced between music and language, so that when you return home, you carry with you:

• A piece of Cesenatico in your heart

• A wealth of musical and linguistic knowledge

• The enduring love and support of our faculty

Questions? Please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to clarify any figures or explain the rationale behind anything we do. We hope to work with you and make lifelong memories together in Cesenatico very soon.