ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department

www.istitutoeuropeo.it

Student Interview with Takahiro Shimada

Paige Gherardi interviews music student Takahiro Shimara

 

Q1. How long have you been studying music?
A1. 8 years.
 
Q2. Who are your role models in the profession?
A2. One of my role models is tenor Jose Carreras. 

Q3. What are your goals as a musician? 
A3. I would like to become a lyrical opera singer, but it is very difficult because there is less demand in Japan for this type of work.
 
Q4. Why did you decide to participate in a music program abroad?
A4. I studied Italian lyrical opera and then did a Masters concentrating on the lead singer in German operas. I have also studied French music. My voice in Japan was very small, and I knew that I could do something to make it bigger. So I decided to come to Italy. I also wanted to see the cultural differences between Italy and Japan. 

Q5. Which courses are you taking at ISTITUTO EUROPEO?

A5. Vocal technique, diction, and Italian. 

Q6. How is the teaching staff helping you reach your goals?

A6. My vocal technique teacher, Monica, always tells me not to worry because when I sing. I am always worried if the words and my pronunciation are correct. One day she said to stop thinking so much about it and that I need to sing, and she needs to think. She told me to be free with my singing. Now I am changing my thoughts because I was used to thinking too much about every sound that came out of my mouth.
My teachers are also helping me a lot with diction. Italian pronunciation is very difficult for me and other Japanese students because you need to use a rolling “r” that I am not used to. I also spend a lot of time going over opened and closed vowels. This is a big problem for me because I tend to raise my voice when I pronounce certain vowels. For example, in Japan we always use a higher intonation when we say the equivalent of the Italian vowel “i”. 

Q7. What are the benefits of studying music in Italy?

A7. Japan and Italy have very different styles of singing technique. In Japan I was always taught to use my throat to project my voice forward, while in Italy I have been taught to relax my throat and let the sound come more easily. I am learning a technique that is completely contrary to what I learned in Japan. Here I tape all my lessons and write a lot to understand the vocal technique that Monica and Valeria teach me. Then I read it over and over again because I cannot always be singing. I spend a lot of time reflecting on what I can do better and how I can better utilize my voice and body while singing. 

Q8. What do you expect to take away from this music program?

A8. I expect to take the Italian style of singing and continue to develop my voice. 

Q9: How has taking classes at ISTITUTO EUROPEO helped you grow as a musician?

A9: Taking classes here has helped me so much from when I first started. I am more confident in my singing and I am starting to see what voice can do.

Takahiro Shimada is from Ehime, Japan and is in his 5th month of a 7 month program at ISTITUTO EUROPEO.

Estudio de Musica en Florencia. Entrevista a Aranea Kuri

ESTUDIOS DE MÚSICA – ARANEA  KURI

Aranea en la izquierda, Rocío en la derecha

Realizado por Rocío de León

¿Por qué decidiste venir a Italia para realizar tus estudios de música?

• Porque me apasiona la Opera y la lengua italiana, 

¿Cómo conociste el Istituto Europeo?

• Estuve buscando escuelas en Internet que tuvieran la opción de estudiar Italiano a la vez que clases de canto y piano, y esta fue la que más me atrajo porque era la que mejor plan de estudios tenia a la vez que un precio accesible y el personal respondió a todas mis dudas muy amablemente.

¿Por qué estudias música? ¿Realizabas el mismo curso en México?

• Porque es algo que siempre me ha apasionado y nunca he tenido el tiempo para realizarlo.
• Nunca he estudiado música a este nivel pero si he dado algunas clases en México.

Cuéntame un poco sobre tu experiencia en el Istituto Europeo… ¿Como la clasificarías? Buena, mala… etc.

• Soy persona de pocas palabras pero lo que si puedo decir del Istituto Europeo es que es un centro de muy alto nivel, el cual te motiva y te involucra en el estudio de música por el ambiento que hay en el mismo.
• Por lo tanto mi experiencia aquí ha sobre pasado mis expectativas. 

¿Qué te parecen los profesores y su técnica de enseñanza? ¿Cambiarias alguna técnica?

• Sinceramente lo que más me ha gustado de este centro, es la manera de enseñanza que tienen aquí ya que me he sentido muy cómoda y motivada. Los profesores tienen mucha paciencia y  te alientan de forma muy positiva que es algo que no había encontrado en los diferentes cursos de música que he realizado.

¿Te cuesta entender a tus profesores por el idioma?

• Generalmente les entiendo y en el caso de no hacerlo  me lo explican de forma muy paciente y repetitivamente hasta que me quede claro.

¿Qué repertorio tienes?

• Aun no tengo un repertorio concreto ya que de momento estamos enfocándonos en los fundamentos básicos.

¿Qué te parecen las comodidades que el Istituto Europeo te ofrece como..?

• Me ha gustado mucho ya que el Istituto Europeo tiene varias aulas para ensayar y me dejan utilizarlas fuera de mi horario de clase para practicar cuanto desee.
• Es una de las cosas que más me ha llamado la atención de este centro ya que en la mayoría de escuelas de musca que encontré, contaban con escasos espacios para ensayar.

www.istitutoeuropeo.it

The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino 2012 Season and Hopes of Moving to New Theater

Interior of New Theater

By Paige Gherardi

The 2012 season has been released for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. After an inaugural event of the new theater by Stazione Leopolda on December 21st, the theater will close until it is completed. The new structure is expected to open again on November 24, 2012. Maestro Zubin Mehta told the Corriere Fiorentino that “the new theater will be an intimate one with, obviously, perfect acoustics.” He later mentioned that “Florence has an extraordinary group of supporters, but the applause are not enough.” Zubin encourages Florentines to help by donating money to the new theater that will host music and dance events in the Renaissance city like never before. Mayor Matteo Renzi commented that the new theater will be a great opportunity for Florence. During the 11 months of work on the new theater the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will complete 18 opera and ballet productions, 18 large concerts and two summer galas, and three new productions in their old theater anxiously awaiting the opening of their new home. 

http://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/firenze/notizie/spettacoli/2011/27-ottobre-2011/maggio-va-grand-tour-1901968533612.shtml

Vocal Technique with Monica Benvenuti

ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department: The Story

It all started many years ago, in 1991, from a demand of some European students from Austria, Germany, France, etc. who used to come to Florence to study Italian - “la dolce lingua del sì.” Many of them were Musicians, and while staying here they constantly needed to practice their vocal skills and instruments.

It happened in this simple and a bit old fashioned way that the ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department began its story & from that moment has remained the main ISTITUTO EUROPEO feature. ISTITUTO EUROPEO’s reputation is now well known for its flexibility and its capability to adapt to new market changes. We hold tremendous interest in understanding markets that never cease to fluctuate around the world and constantly undermine any attempt to classify and categorize trends and changes.

Throughout the years we have also welcomed many students from American universities for the Study Abroad Program. We produced an International Singing Competition staging famous Operas. We held concerts in historical churches and palaces of Florence.

In the end, we were able to set up a perfect mechanism to teach singing. For this reason we believe that when you think of the ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department, you have to think of a perfect product. We have confidence in our program and can dare say that our method is one worth learning!

ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department's Method of Excellence

Today our Music Department, led by Director Monica Benvenuti, has become a win-win situation. We created a product of success for your success. Every time you leave the classroom after your tailor-made lesson, you can feel and measure the results and benefits you receive from this one-on-one attention.

ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department’s brand has now become synonymous with quality. When you buy our lessons, you buy quality. The ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department provides students with a method of Excellence.

Benefit Concert for the Earthquake in Japan

This spring ISTITUTO EUROPEO held two benefit concerts for the earthquake in Japan. The concert featured Istituto Europeo students participating in the music program.

Charity Opera Concerts: Donations given to Japanese Red Cross

東日本大震災 被災者支援 チャリティーコンサート義援金送金完了のご報告

ISTITUTO EUROPEO Music Department

For more than ten years, the Music Department of the ISTITUTO EUROPEO has carried out an intense didactical and productive activity by offering high-level professional courses and monthly concerts, both inside ISTITUTO EUROPEO and in important historical places. Lessons take place at the Institute, where there are 5 classrooms with pianos.

Individual Courses for Musical Specialization (*Also offered as a group course)

*M1 Course on the history of Italian music

From the Middle Ages to the development of polyphony – Madrigals and the origins of [the] melodrama - C. Monteverdi - The 17th century - Instrumental music between the 17th and the 18th century - Vivaldi and the violin culture - The 18th century and G. Rossini – Belcanto - G. Verdi – Verismo - G. Puccini and the 20th century - The revival of instrumental music - Contemporary composers - The new musical theatre.

*M2 Course on the history and language of the melodrama

From madrigalistic comedy to the Recitar cantando - C. Monteverdi – Comic and serious opera (from the 17th until the 18th century) - The Neapolitan School and Neoclassicism - G. Rossini - V. Bellini, G. Donizetti and belcanto - G. Verdi – Melodrama after Verdi and Verismo - G. Puccini – Opera after Puccini and contemporary composers.

M3 Course in musical melodrama with a strong focus on the interpretation of operatic roles

A pianist who is a specialist in the study of opera repertoire, helps singers learn the dramatic and musical aspects of the operatic roles. 

*M4 Course on opera libretti

An experienced teacher guides the students through the reading and the understanding of the libretti and their specific language. After a historical-literary introduction students will analyse excerpts from different operas to understand their specific characteristics.

M5 Course on vocal technique for lyrical singers

The body is the sound box of the voice. Guided by a professional in vocal technique, the students improve their respiration and learn the correct use of the muscles in order to obtain better sound emission. The course is meant for all students and professionals who want to specialize in lyric repertory.

M6 Course on vocal music of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Baroque

For those who are interested in specializing in ancient Italian repertory, with particular attention to Italian madrigal literature.

M7 Course on the interpretation of chamber lyrics

From the 17th century of Giulio Caccini until today: the students closely examine Italian vocal chamber repertory.

M8 Course on Neapolitan music

A specialist in this particular repertory guides the students through the interpretation and the technical requirements of Neapolitan song.

M9 Instrumental Music Course

Violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, recorder, oboe, tuba, guitar, and so on… This course is ideal for beginners who would like the opportunity to try a new instrument by having a short 'taster' series of lessons to learn some basic skills. Our experienced staff will ensure that your first experience of your new instrument is an enjoyable one!

We also cater for university/conservatoire students and professionals who wish to develop their skills on a particular instrument or prepare specific repertoire for auditions or performance.

If you are unable to bring your instrument, or wish to try a new instrument during your time at Istituto Europeo, we can hire instruments for you here in Florence.

M10 Course on diction for singers

A vocal specialist corrects the diction and teaches the dynamic of the vocal emission by using the correct pronunciation of the Italian phonemes.

M11 Course in piano accompaniment

A specialist in piano accompaniment guides the students in analyzing and interpreting the score.

M12 Course in elementary / advanced piano playing

The course is meant for people who would like to start or improve playing the piano.

M13 Preparatory Course for Admission to Conservatories and Music Schools, and for Professional Auditions

Students will be asked to take a language placement test and to audition before the courses begin, in order to determine the most adequate level of instruction.

The M13 program is a series of Italian language and personalized music courses which prepare music and vocal students for entrance exams/auditions to any Italian or foreign Music Institute. Our instructors are internationally recognized musicians and singers. Under their guidance, our students have successfully been admitted to the L. Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, Accademia d'Arte Lirica di Osimo, the Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the G. Verdi Conservatory of Milan and the Conservatories of Amsterdam and Tokyo.

This 4 week program is comprised of a total of 120 lessons of instruction. Courses are held from Monday-Friday and are divided into 80 lessons of Italian in the mornings and 40 lessons of practical and theoretical music courses in the afternoon.