New York Voice Masterclass
New York Voice Masterclass
“Respighi and the Italian Art Song”
The Spring 2026 Masterclass is now open!
Friday, June 5, 2026
Featuring contralto Alessandra Visentin and
Maestro Salvatore Di Vittorio, Artistic Director
Open to all vocalists, recitalists, and collaborative pianists under 40.
Selected participants are considered among the short list of operatic singers for solo opportunities with Chamber Orchestra of New York during their Carnegie Hall series in future seasons.
A study of classical art song in Italian from 18th century to the present. Topics include musical and historical context, composer biographies, performance style, translation techniques, lyric diction and delivery, and exploring the
dramatic, emotional, expressive relationship between the poetry and the musical score. Collaboration between singer and pianist will also be explored.
The masterclass is open to art-song vocalists, recitalists, and collaborative pianists with recommended ages of 18–40.
Applicants must submit a video with the application to be
considered for the workshop performing two italian artsongs.
- Introduction by Respighi scholar, Maestro Salvatore Di Vittorio, on the Respighi family commission including historically-significant restorations featured on Naxos albums
- Contralto Alessandra Visentin explores Respighi and the Italian Art Song repertoire with each participant
- Participants receive 30 minutes of coaching and instruction
- Auditors may ask questions during sessions
- Voice Masterclass concludes with an open discussion question and answer 30 minute session.
- All Participants will receive a Certificate.
- If merited, the participant who shows the greatest interpretation of art songs will receive the certificate of “Best Vocalist” in the New York Voice Masterclass: “Respighi and the Italian Art Song”.
Voice Masterclass Staff
Alessandra Visentin: Artistic Partner of Chamber Orchestra of New York. Operatic contralto who has sung at Teatro alla Scala Milan, Teatro San Carlo Naples, New York’s Carnegie Hall, Musikverein Wien, Auditorium Nacional de Música Madrid, Halle aux Grains Toulouse, Grand Warner Brothers Theatre (USA), Théâtre des Champs-Elysées de Paris, Opera Royal de Versailles, and the Salzburg Festival.
Salvatore Di Vittorio: Recipient of Respighi family commission, internationally recognized among the leading scholars and interpreters of Respighi’s music. His compositions have been commissioned and premiered (often under his baton) by such orchestras as London Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Teatro Alla Scala of Milan, and Teatro Massimo Opera of Palermo.
The New York Voice Masterclass program will be held at The DiMenna Center in New York on Friday, June 5, 2026.
Voice Masterclass Schedule
Friday, June 25, 2026
10:00am – 6:00pm
Long Break (60 minutes), included
Each participant will receive 30 minutes of coaching and instruction.
Often we sing in a language that is not native or fluent for us. If we are to communicate effectively to the audience in performance, we must understand the meaning of the text on many levels. The first and most important level is the literal translation. The literal translation acts as a bridge to help vocalists intimately understand how the rhythm, melody, and harmony of a song is connected to the foreign language. In addition,
when singers begin working on the diction of the song, foreign words no longer function as nonsense phonemes but will have immediate context in their native language. This bridge is especially helpful in expediting memorization. When singers invest time in learning what each word means
their understanding of a language grows. In addition, they begin to take ownership of the song by investing their personal time and effort into the endeavor. Technique, artistry and diction share equal importance in the art song Italian repertoire and should be developed in tandem. Young vocalists as well as undergraduates pursuing music degrees, however, often struggle with balancing these two complex facets of their instrument. That’s why during the workshop we work on the vocal technique to improve the balance between voice emission and text.
All applications are evaluated on a first-come, first-serve, basis, with priority placement given to alumni of the program. All candidates are recommended to apply well in advance of the deadline to secure their position for the voice masterclass.
Art Song Repertoire
Art Songs by Respighi, Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Bellini, Tosti, Castelnuovo-Tedesco.
Participants and Auditors must bring their own music.
FEES
Application Fee: USD $50 (non-refundable)
Tuition Fees:
1. Participant fee: USD $750 (non-refundable)
2. Auditor fee: USD $150 (non-refundable)
LODGING
We recommend that conductors book lodging south of The DiMenna Center.
TIMELINE
Application Deadline: April 1, 2026 (Final Call: April 10, 2026)
Candidacy Confirmations: May 1, 2026
Candidate Tuition Payment in Full Deadline: May 15, 2026
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS
You can complete the Voice Masterclass application in either of two ways:
a) Online, including payment (preferred): Apply Now [Options below]
b) Email the completed attached Application, CV, photo, and video links to: info@chamberorchestraofnewyork.org
Make payments to: Chamber Orchestra of New York
Mailing address:
Chamber Orchestra of New York
450 Lexington Avenue, #1514
New York, NY 10163
For payment options including wire transfer and Zelle,
please email info@chamberorchestraofnewyork.org
Guidelines
All applicants will be confirmed via email. No refunds for application fee or tuition will be given under any circumstances should you later decide not to attend this year. Applicants not accepted as Participants will be offered Auditor status. If the Voice Masterclass has full participation, remaining applicants may be put on a waiting list and will receive first refusal for places that become available. Voice Masterclass Staff is subject to change. Applicants hold harmless the Masterclass Staff, Artistic Director and Board of the Chamber Orchestra of New York from any damages, claims, liabilities, and costs, or losses of any kind or nature whatsoever, which may in any way arise from the workshop, rehearsals, and performance(s).
The Voice Masterclass fee covers the following: administrative processing and tuition. The fee does not cover travel to New York, transport within New York, food and drink during the workshop or lodging.
