From November 28^th, 2017 to February 21^st, 2018, enrollment of the 2018 Solti China Master Classes have gone into full swing, which is co-hosted by the NCPA (National Centre for the Performing Arts) and Georg Solti Accademia, and sponsored by The Rolex Institute. Young artists and students aged 22-28, who specialize in bel canto singing, can apply on the NCPA’s official website.


Offered by Georg Solti Accademia, the Solti China Master Classes is a young singer training programme initiated in 2004, which is named after the famous Hungarian conductor Knight Georg Solti and aims to promote vocal development. Solti China Master Classes bring together world-class experts in the field of opera art. The courses include drama, vocal style, vocalization approach and Italian, etc. Scope of research-based study covers Italian works by many composers of Bel Canto Period (such as Verdi and Puccini) and other realistic opera composers. This can afford a valuable training opportunity for young students who major in bel canto singing so they can smoothly embark on their professional journeys.

In 2016, sponsored by the Rolex Institute (exclusive timepiece of the NCPA), Solti China Master Classes were introduced in China for the first time and offered openly at the NCPA. Then the first-ever enrollment had kicked off. With a successful track record for two consecutive years until now, Solti China Master Classes let a total of 15 students, who come out top from mass selection and contest, receive one-on-one tutoring for about one week. Besides, they can demonstrate their singing skills on the site of an open lecture at the NCPA Concert Hall. In the end, three outstanding students are successively shortlisted for summer courses in Italy from 2016 to 2018.

“Summer courses are offered in the beautiful Tuscany seaside town Castiglione della Pescaia, where summer villa of Solti Family is located. During the study period for nearly one month, students take vocal music and performance courses under the tutelage of star tutors, musical assignments given by vocal instructors, Italian pronunciation courses, etc. Indoor and outdoor concerts were also held, thereby giving students a chance to showcase their learning achievements on stage. Students gained their experience and improve themselves,” ZHANG Yang explains. He is a resident opera singer of the NCPA, who took summer courses of Solti China Master Classes of Georg Solti Accademia in 2016.

In 2018, the Third Solti China Master Classes will be launched, which is scheduled for auditions on May 23^rd. 6-8 outstanding students will be shortlisted to receive five-day one-on-one tutoring from May 24^th to May 28^th. Artistic director Jonathan Papp, language director Stefano Baldasseroni and internationally-renowned soprano Barbara Frittoli will jointly give lectures at the NCPA on topics including bel canto vocalization approach, Italian culture, drama and performance skills, and help students improve vocal performance skills by means of immersive teaching of Italian bel canto singing. A successful student will go to Italy for summer courses in 2019.

The Solti China Master Classes enjoy strong support from The Rolex Institute. Tuition fees of all students are sponsored in full by The Rolex Institute. Only board, lodging and transportation expenses are at the students’ expense.

Photos by GAN Yuan

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