|
|
|
Quick Look
•
Location:
Ventenac en Minervois - France
•
Language of Instruction: English (also French if necessary)
Overview
 La Fontenille is a superb ‘petit château’ situated in the heart of a small village in the Languedoc region of the south of France. The house overlooks the Canal du Midi, a World Heritage Site. David and Sundara, its Scottish owners since 2004, frequently open their house for song and instrumental recitals (soirées lyriques), which take place in their 'grand salon'.
This year we have decided, by popular demand, to host a residential singing school, from 28 July to 5 August 2007. It is for aspiring classical solo singers of a wide range of age and ability, ranging from conservatoire students, through young professional, to enthusiastic amateur. Participants will receive a week of one-to-one tuition as part of a small group of eight, to a maximum of ten, all staying at La Fontenille. The repertoire catered for will comprise French and English art song; Lieder; Italian and other operatic arias.
Tuition will be led by Helen Lawson, vocal tutor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Glasgow, one of the UK’s five royal conservatoires, and noted particularly as a centre of excellence in singing. In addition, there will be no fewer than three experienced accompanists available, together with three pianos, to supply an ample opportunity for one-to-one rehearsal outside of the group masterclass sessions. One of the accompanists will also provide native-language French pronunciation if needed.
Participants should prepare six or so songs for study, at least some of which should be singable from memory. Languages – English, French, German, Italian. The course language will be English, plus French when necessary. We will hold an open recital for the village and our friends on the final Saturday, at which each participant will have the opportunity to sing two songs.
A CD of accompaniments of each participant’s songs will be recorded, to take away for future study and enjoyment.
Student singers: If your attendance is dependent on gaining a bursary then your deposit will be returned in full if you are not successful. We have to know by 31 May whether or not you have obtained the bursary.
Full details of the course can be supplied on request, to help your application.
Travel: Air to Carcassonne or Perpignan; rail to Narbonne. Transatlantic air links - Toulouse, Paris, then by rail.
Eligibility
Minimum age 18. Maximum age 99. Although we do not set specific standards for singing or musical ability, we expect participants to be able read a score, and to be keen and willing to sing solo classical songs or arias, both in front of the other participants and at the recital planned for the final evening. The main requirements are commitment and enthusiasm. You should know your six or so study songs well, so that Helen and the accompanist coaches can concentrate on interpretation, presentation, language problems, diction, and so on.
Dates
Arrive Saturday 28 July 2007; depart Sunday 5 August 2007.
Extra nights of accommodation will be available on a bed-and-breakfast basis at £50 per night.
A non-returnable deposit of £200 will be required to be paid by 31 May 2007 if you are accepted, and the balance paid by 30 June 2007.
Deadlines
A non-returnable deposit of £200 will be required to be paid by 31 May 2007
Contact
La Fontenille
1, rue du Couchant
11120 Ventenac en Minervois
France
Tel:
00 33 468 32 15 63
Email
Send Email
Web
Visit Website |
