Dr Ralph Strehle

Dr Ralph Strehle

Inspiring the next generation

Dr Ralph Strehle is Director of the Mascarade Opera and Head of Education for the Mascarade Opera Foundation.
Ralph is a leading expert on peak-performance psychology and was formerly the Associate Head of Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Ralph works frequently as a guest performance coach and lecturer at institutions across Europe, such as: the National Opera Studio, the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Hamburg International Opera Studio, Akademia Operowa, the New Generation Festival, the Kiri Te Kawana Foundation and most recently the Cardiff Singer of the World. Ralph’s work has been the subject of articles in Opera Now, Classical Music Magazine and many other publications.
Ralph holds a doctorate in music, his thesis exploring performance psychology and motivation, as well as a doctorate in English in the field of ethics and philosophy.
He regularly works as resident resilience coach at international singing competitions such as  CLIP International Singing Competition, Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition and the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.

The Florence Choral Course as an annual summer course, which thanks to our supporters is made entirely free for participants and dedicated to the study, performance and promotion of Italian choral music. Up to 25 singers from all over the world have the unique opportunity to come to Florence for in immersive period of daily rehearsals, choral technique workshops, individual singing lessons, archival tours, history lectures and masterclasses with world famous practitioners, including soprano Dame Emma Kirkby and director of Milan Cathedral Choir Maestro Massimo Palombella.
The week culminates in concert and ecclesiastical performances in some of Florence’s most iconic buildings, including Palazzo Tornabuoni, Santissima Annunciata and Santa Maria Novella, as well as a sung mass in the great cathedral of Milan.

In addition, the programme’s advanced choral course for aspiring professional singers provides students a unique opportunity to come to Florence for an intensive programme of study, rehearsals, masterclasses and performances, as well as historical lectures and tours in the heart of the most important city of Renaissance. 

In addition, the programme’s advanced choral course for aspiring professional singers provides students a unique opportunity to come to Florence for an intensive programme of study, rehearsals, masterclasses and performances, as well as historical lectures and tours in the heart of the most important city of Renaissance. 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the Florence Choral Course July 2024 will open on 1 January 2024.

To apply please send two recordings and your CV to thesacredmusicprogramme@mascaradeopera.com