Florence Choral Course 2025
in association with The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble
The Florence Choral Course, the annual summer programme run by Fondazione Mascarade Opera, is dedicated to the study, performance and promotion of the Italian Renaissance choral tradition for aspiring professional choral singers. Each year, up to 25 singers from around the world are selected to participate in an immersive week of choral training at the historic Palazzo Corsini al Prato in the heart of Florence. The programme features daily rehearsals, choral technique workshops, individual singing lessons, tours, history lectures, sung services, and performances. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, the course is entirely free for all participants.
Students will also attend Masterclasses with major professional artists. In previous years these have been given by Maestro Massimo Palombella (Director of Milan Cathedral Choir and former Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir) and Maestro Francesco Romano (multi-recording artist, Director of Lute & Theorbo at Florence Conservatory). This summer we are delighted to welcome back multi-award winning soprano and early music pioneer, Dame Emma Kirkby.
This year we are excited to announce our partnership with players from the virtuoso English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble who will be leading a parallel course for advanced level historical instrumentalists, alongside the Choral Course. Towards the end of the week the two courses will combine giving singers and instrumentalists alike, the opportunity to perform together in some of the grandest repertoire from the high Renaissance.
The week will culminate in concert and ecclesiastical performances in some of Florence’s most iconic buildings, which in have included Palazzo Tornabuoni, Palazzo Budini Gattai, the Pazzi Chapel and the Basilicas of Santo Spirito, Santissima Annunziata, San Miniato and Santa Maria Novella.
For more information about the Florence Choral Course 2025 and how to apply:
Singers - please see the video and brochure below, as well as details below
Instrumentalists - Please visit the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble website for their on line application form http://www.ecse.co.uk/
