- BELCORE in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore
- DULCAMARA in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore
- ADINA (Cover) in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore
- NEMORINO (Cover) in Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore
Program Dates
Program Information
Opera al Mare offers a transformative three-week operatic training experience on the stunning coast of the Adriatic Sea in Cesenatico, Italy—a seaside jewel known for its historic Porto Canale, designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself.
What Makes This Opportunity Extraordinary
This isn’t just another summer program. Opera al Mare is a project of Opera Vermont that creates a cultural bridge between the United States and Italy, offering young artists the chance to:
Immerse in Authentic Italian Culture
Far from tourist crowds, you’ll experience genuine Italian life in a coastal town that breathes opera and tradition. The program includes Italian language courses alongside your musical training, allowing you to deepen your connection to the language of opera at its source.
Learn and Perform Full Operatic Roles
Whether you’re a beginner or an established professional, you’ll work with world-class faculty to expand your personal repertoire and perform complete roles from the operatic canon, with an orchestral ensemble from the Conservatorio Maderna in Cesena. The 2026 season features Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore and Pergolesi’s La Serva Padrona.
Perform in Historic Venues
Make your summer home at the Teatro Comunale di Cesenatico, where you’ll present fully staged productions in collaboration with the town of Cesenatico. Multiple public performances throughout the program give you invaluable stage experience in front of enthusiastic Italian audiences.
Work with International Faculty
Train with distinguished artists including Joshua Collier (Artistic Director), Cailin Marcel Manson, Scilla Cristiano, Francesco Ricci, Dr. Maria Rabbia, Francesco Triossi, and Sandra Carletti—professionals who bring decades of international experience to your development.
The Complete Experience (June 15 – July 5, 2026)
Your three weeks include:
*Oceanfront, private, air-conditioned, hotel accomodation for each day of the program
*Breakfast Buffet, and 2 multi-course, gourmet meals daily – with Italian wine included
*Daily rehearsals and coaching with world-class faculty
*Daily Italian language instruction to enhance your linguistic fluency
*Multiple public performances including opera productions, concerts of operatic favorites, and our Poolside American Music spectacular
*Cultural immersion in a town that celebrates the arts
*International collaboration with fellow artists from around the globe
Performance Highlights
Throughout the program, you’ll participate in public performances open to the community:
Full productions of L’Elisir d’Amore and La Serva Padrona at Teatro Comunale
“Opera’s Greatest Hits” concert featuring baroque to contemporary repertoire
American Musical Theatre Spectacular poolside at Hotel Miramare (July 4th)
A Proven Track Record
Now in its fifth consecutive year, Opera al Mare has built a reputation for excellence, even performing in Bologna at the Circolo Lirico where the program received tremendous acclaim. The partnership with the Municipality of Cesenatico and the support of Hotel Miramare and the Vernocchi family ensures a professionally supported, culturally rich environment. Opera Vermont and Opera al Mare are committed to transparency and honesty in all things, and would be happy to connect any prospective participant with past artists for a true accounting of the experience.
Who Should Apply
This program welcomes artists at all levels and all indenties—from those just beginning their operatic journey to established professionals seeking to refine their craft. If you desire to grow your understanding of Italian language and culture, expand your repertoire, and work with world-class faculty in one of Italy’s most beautiful coastal settings, while being welcomed into a supportive and nuruturing, but professionally encouraging environment, Opera al Mare is your opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming you to Cesenatico in June 2026.
Fees
We know the unfortunate and sometimes abusive role that summer training programs have acquired, and we at Opera al Mare are hoping to change that reputation, with transparency, honesty, and and integrity. To that end, on our website there is a very clear articulation of costs associated with the price of attending Opera al Mare, and we have decided to eliminate the middleman, and ask that participants pay the hotel directly the entire cost of participation (5000 Euro, all inclusive) as the majority of the cost associated is with room and board. While oceanside, private, air-conditioned, hotel housing, 3 meals a day, wine, all costs for coachings, theatre costs, and taxes are included in the cost, what is NOT included is as follows: Airfare to Italy, any transportation before June 15, and after July 5th, any transportation out of Cesenatico, any other alcohol/food/refreshment outside of mealtime.
Opera al Mare is a boutique resident training program that single casts (with covers if appropriate) all productions in order to ensure that every artist has the maximum amount of meaningful time working on their assigned role with Maestro Cailin Marcel Manson, Stage Director Joshua Collier, and our fabulous Vocal/Music Staff of Soprano Scilla Cristiano & Pianists Francesco Ricci, Dr. Maria Rabbia, and Francesco Triossi. It is the ultimate hope that we will be able to find, work with, and develop exceptional artists in Italy, and continue their performance journey by taking part in future Opera Vermont programming. To this day, well over 50% of all participants of Opera al Mare have performed in principal roles with Opera Vermont, and we hope that you are the next addition to the Opera Vermont Family!
