INTERNATIONAL COURSE IN EARLY MUSIC
THE WONDER OF ITALIAN BAROQUE SONG - A NEW PATH FOR THE MODERN STUDENT
Course details
THE WONDER OF ITALIAN BAROQUE SONG - A NEW PATH FOR THE MODERN STUDENT
12 - 20 July 2025
This intensive 9-day course is part of the West Bohemian Baroque festival. At the end, three performances of the studied material are planned. In addition to individual lessons in solo singing and interpretation of early music, there will also be choir rehearsals with Music Director James Gray and lessons of baroque dance with Donald Francis.
COURSE INCLUDES
Daily singing lessons for all participants
Interpretation classes with Director James Gray
Daily choir practice
Daily solo performance opportunities during the evening block, open to all participants
Lectures on baroque interpretation
Active participation in 3 performances
Receiving a certificate of participation in the course
COURSE PARTICIPATION COSTS
250€ due by June 20. A deposit of €100 is due by April 30.
320€ including dancing lessons
ACCOMMODATIONS
The castle in Spálené Poříčí, price 500 CZK / 21€ per person per night. We will also be rehearsing at the venue. Accommodation is shared for 2 to 4 people per room, with shared bathrooms. If you prefer more comfortable accommodation, you can try the Brdy Hotel across from the castle or rather the Joachim Guesthouse next to the castle (hotelbrdy.cz). Feel free to contact us if you need assistance.
FOODS
You can cook simple meals in the shared kitchen, or we can dine at one of the restaurants around. A grocery store is located in the square.
TERMS OF YOUR PARTICIPATION
Interested participants should send the completed application to the following address no later than April 30, 2025.
Applications: j.vacikova@volny.cz
The study material will primarily be selected from a collection of Italian Baroque arias, which will be released this year. However, you are welcome to bring 1 to 2 early Baroque arias of your own choice, or contact us if you need help with the selection. If you are attending the course for the first time, an audio recording of any piece from your repertoire will be appreciated.
Upon receiving your applications, deposits, and/or recordings, we will confirm your participation in the course.
If you have your own Baroque costume available, please let us know and we will connect you with our designer, Gabriela Machová.
During the course, we will strictly follow an intensive schedule for all participants. A professional approach regarding discipline, willingness to cooperate, focus, and responsiveness will be expected from every participant, regardless of their previous musical experience. Knowing your parts upon arrival at the course will allow you to focus exclusively on working with your voice during the sessions and will greatly simplify the rehearsal process for all of us, helping to ensure successful final performances.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COURSE
Jana Vacíková
+420 604 319 122
Anna Benedová
+420 737 853 610 (for English WhatsApp messages)
We are looking forward to seeing you all there!
James, Junko, Kateřina, Michael, Donald & Jana
Enrolment
Form
“I have known both Markéta Malcová and James Gray personally, and as colleagues, for many years, James Gray, in particular, has helped me to extend my own insight and knowledge into the treasures of Early Music. I am most grateful to him for the expertise gained - which I now, in turn, endeavour to pass on.”
Michael Pospíšil, bass and founder/director of Ritornello an ensemble specializing in historically informed performance of 16th and 17th century vocal and instrumental music.
Michael Pospíšil
* Michael Pospíšil, founder/director of the ensemble Ritornello, specialising in historically informed performance of 16th and 17th-century vocal and instrumental music.