Young OperaLab
Orchestra

Orchestral Training Laboratory for 22 Musicians

Dedicated to the Study and Performance of the Operatic Orchestral Repertoire

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

 

Belcanto Academy APS announces a selection process for young musicians wishing to further develop their skills in the study and performance of the operatic orchestral repertoire.

The programme is open to a maximum of 22 participants aged up to 32 years.

 

The aim of the project is to provide each participant with the artistic and practical experience required for professional orchestral performance in the opera repertoire through an intensive hands-on training programme under the constant guidance of internationally renowned tutors.

 

Each stage will also include a collective meeting with the tutors, during which they will share their professional experience, discuss the challenges of an orchestral career, and answer questions while offering personal advice and guidance.

 

In addition to artistic and professional development, the project promotes the acquisition of essential soft skills, including:teamwork in an atmosphere of trust, collaboration and mutual respect; constructive problem-solving in technical, musical, organisational and interpersonal contexts; increased self-confidence and motivation; greater adaptability when facing challenges and change; improved conflict and stress management.

 

Programme Structure

The Young OperaLab Orchestra consists of three intensive training sessions:

1. 14–18 September 2026

2. 11–15 November 2026

3. 2–7 December 2026

 

Repertoire

SEPTEMBER

1. Verdi and the Bel Canto Tradition

Rossini – Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Overture, Rossini – L'Italiana in Algeri: Finale I, Bellini – La Sonnambula: Quintet, Bellini – I Puritani: "Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei", Donizetti – Don Pasquale: Quartet, Donizetti – Lucia di Lammermoor: Sextet, Verdi – La Traviata: Prelude to Act I, Violetta's Aria and Finale II, Verdi – Il Trovatore: Final Scene, Verdi – Rigoletto: Quartet

 

NOVEMBER

2. Puccini and Italian Verismo

Puccini – Manon Lescaut: Intermezzo, Mascagni – Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo, Puccini – La Bohème: Quartet and Mimì–Marcello Duet, Puccini – Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus, Puccini – La Rondine: Quartet, Puccini – Gianni Schicchi: Terzettino and Finale, Mascagni – Iris: Hymn to the Sun, Leoncavallo – Pagliacci: Silvio–Nedda Duet

 

DECEMBER

3. Mozart

Le Nozze di Figaro (Complete Opera)

 

Structure of Each Training Session

Each session includes:

Days 1–2: Sectional rehearsals (Strings and Winds) led by the tutors in Trento.

Days 3–4: Full orchestra rehearsals, with soloists joining on the second day. Sectional coaching with tutors will continue alongside the orchestral rehearsals.

Day 5: Dress rehearsal and final concert.

The third session, dedicated to Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro, includes additional ensemble rehearsals and at least four fully staged performances.

The schedule may be subject to changes due to organisational requirements.

 

Available Positions

• 8 Violins

• 2 Violas

• 2 Cellos

• 1 Double Bass

• 1 Flute

• 1 Oboe

• 2 Clarinets

• 1 Bassoon

• 2 French Horns

• 1 Trumpet

• 1 Timpani & Percussion

 

Eligibility

Applications are open to Italian and international musicians aged between 16 and 32 years.

Applicants must have been born between 14 September 1994 and 13 September 2010 (inclusive).

Applicants under 18 years of age must submit parental authorisation upon application. Selected minors will also be required to provide a medical certificate confirming their fitness to participate.

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Each selected musician will receive a daily reimbursement of €50 to cover travel and meal expenses for each day of attendance.

Attendance is compulsory.

With prior written approval from the Artistic Director, requested at least 15 days before the beginning of the training session, participants may be absent for a maximum of two full days.

Half-day absences are not permitted.

Absences due to illness are excluded from this calculation but must be supported by a medical certificate.

 

Principal Tutors

The programme is led by internationally respected musicians with extensive orchestral and teaching experience.

Strings

• Mo Emanuele Benfenati – Concertmaster, Orchestra of Teatro Comunale di Bologna

• Mo Stefano Furini – Concertmaster, Orchestra of Teatro Verdi di Trieste

• Mo Alberto Martini – Music Director of I Virtuosi Italiani; former Concertmaster of the Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala

• Mo Glauco Bertagnin – Former Concertmaster of the Orchestra della Fondazione Arena di Verona and Orchestra del Teatro Verdi di Trieste

Winds

• Mo Luca Vignali – Former Principal Oboe, Orchestra of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma

• Mo Luca Milani – Principal Clarinet, RAI National Symphony Orchestra

• Mo Nilo Caracristi – Former Principal Horn, Orchestra of Teatro San Carlo di Napoli and Orchestra del Teatro Verdi di Trieste

Assistant Tutors

• Mo Svetlana Pletneva – Professor and former First Violin of the Ekaterinburg Philharmonic Orchestra

• Mo Klaus Broz – Professor and Concert Artist

 

Auditions will take place on 24 and 25 August 2026 at Fondazione Caritro Hall, Via Calepina 1,  Trento, Italy

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How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by completing the online form in full: https://forms.gle/vS7azMrKtbQycwbk6.

 

Application deadline: 16 August 2026 at 11:59 PM (CEST).

 

The required audition repertoire is available in the appendix A to this Call at: www.academybelcanto.com/YoungOperaLabOrchestra

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Required Documents

Applicants must upload:

• Passport or valid identity document (non-EU citizens must also provide a residence permit);

• Signed GDPR / Personal Data Processing Consent Form (for minors, signed by a parent or legal guardian);

• Parental authorisation (for minors only);

• Receipt of payment of the €50 refundable audition deposit.

The deposit must be paid no later than the application deadline and will be refunded by 10 September 2026, exclusively to applicants who attend the live audition.

Bank Details

Account Holder:  Belcanto Academy – Associazione di Promozione Sociale

IBAN  IT33J0810234401000041051516

Payment Reference FIRST NAME / LAST NAME – AUDITION DEPOSIT YOUNG OPERALAB ORCHESTRA

 

Accompanist

A pianist provided by Belcanto Academy APS will accompany all candidates during the audition.

No reimbursement is provided for expenses incurred in attending the live audition.

 

Results

The Association's Secretariat will inform applicants of their audition date and time.

Results will be communicated by email to all candidates by Saturday, 29 August 2026.

 

Contact

For any further information, please contact the Belcanto Academy APS Secretariat. For questions and inquiries send an email at youngoperalab@gmail.com, or a message via WhatsApp +30 698 1197780.

or +39 3311408734.

Contact via email is highly recommended. In urgent cases, you will be contacted as soon as possible by telephone.