Led by Damien Guillon, this Masterclass is entitled « Exploring late Baroque vocality between solo and ensemble » and will aim at identifying and preparing singers for the auditions for the 2027 edition of the Ambronay Academy – Sustainable-EEEMERGING (Handel in Rome – Nisi Dominus, Dixit Dominus…).
It will provide an opportunity to work on vocality in the works of the great Baroque composers (Handel, Vivaldi…), taking into account the necessary ability of singers in this repertoire to perform both choral and solo parts alternately.
Objectives & resources:
- Support singers in accessing professional training programmes
- Enable young European artists to improve their vocal technique
- Enable young European artists to improve their musicological knowledge of the vocal repertoire of the first half of the 18th century
- Create professional opportunities for these young artists, in particular with possible priority access to the 2027 edition of the Academy (subject to selection).
Teaching methods:
- The Masterclass will take place over a 5 days residency period at CCR in Ambronay.
- Active and participatory methods.
- The Masterclass will be conducted in French and/or English.
Assessment methods:
Assessment of learning outcomes by the trainers at the end of the residency and the musical event at the end of the Masterclass on 10th of July.
Teachers:
Damien Guillon and Elizabeth Geiger.
Programme, method:
- The masterclass takes the form of tutti practice workshops and individual practice workshops.
- The repertoire will be as follows: arias and choruses by G. F. Handel and the composers he met in Rome.
Schedule, duration:
- Registration: from 15th of January to 15th of April 2026
- Masterclass: 5 days from Monday 6th to Friday 10th July 2026
- Timetable: 10:00am to 1:00pm – 2:00pm to 4:00pm – 5:00pm to 7:00pm.
- The schedule may be modified according to the specific needs of the course and the students.
- There may be a musical event at the end of the masterclass on 10 July.
Who is it for?
- Singers who have completed higher education in a national conservatoire or equivalent institution.
- The Masterclass class is open to opera singers who are not specialists in Baroque singing.
- The Masterclass is accessible to people with disabilities.
Prerequisites:
- Candidates must be under 30 years of age on the day the Masterclass begins.
Fees:
- Application fee: 30 euros
- Educational registration fee: 550 euros
- Accommodation and/or full board options:
- Meal package: 250 euros for full board
(includes 10 meals and 5 breakfasts) - On-site accommodation package (at the Ambronay Cultural Centre – CCR Ambronay):
- Single room (limited to 5 people): 300 euros for 5 nights
- Twin room (limited to 8 people): 150 euros for 5 nights
- Meal package: 250 euros for full board
- Travel costs are the responsibility of the candidates (up to the train station of Ambérieu-en-Bugey)
How to register: Complete the online registration form below before 15th of April 2026
