Program Overview
Join us in Italy for a spectacular summer of opera and Italian culture! Opera Lucca is a summer festival for singers, pianists, and composers. It will be held in the historic center of Lucca, in northern Tuscany, June 6th through July 5th, 2026. This season we are casting roles in extended scenes selected from La bohème, Gianni Schicchi, Suor Angelica, Così fan tutte, Le nozze di Figaro, La finta giardiniera, Cenerentola, La Traviata, and other bel canto repertoire. We specialize in teaching Italian opera through a focus on conversational and poetic Italian. Our distinguished faculty are either native Italian speakers or experts in operatic Italian. The program is centered around Italian language immersion as an important component of bel canto training, focusing not just on diction but also expressive performance. Host family stays are available to further improve conversational Italian beyond language classes. Tuition starts at $4250, with differences based on housing request. Apply by March 1st, 2026!
Contact us at info@operalucca.org and follow us on facebook and instagram!
At Opera Lucca I grew exponentially as an artist and an independent traveler. I wandered the city’s winding cobblestone roads while memorizing my opera scenes, and practiced my Italian with locals. Singing Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica in Puccini’s hometown was surreal. I was gifted an authentic Italian musical perspective which you couldn’t find anywhere else on earth. The professional connections and friendships made at Opera Lucca will follow me throughout my career and the memories will last me a lifetime.
Maya McGuire
CCM and Juilliard
Opera Lucca is a phenomenal program. From the beautiful location to the excellent faculty, this experience was invaluable! For someone looking to learn more about the Italian culture and languages this has to be the best program out there. We were completely immersed in the language and the society, and I learned so many things just from living there.
Riley Findley
IU and Lyric Opera
I learned more about bel canto singing in a single summer at Opera Lucca than I might have in a full semester at conservatory. Lessons with world class faculty and a comprehensive education in the Italian language made me a more proficient musician in the fine art of Italian Opera. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to further their musical development in a beautiful city and in a supportive artistic environment!
Robert Kopf
Mannes Conservatory
I made my operatic role debut as Figaro in Italy this summer with Opera Lucca and it was a FANTASTIC experience. To the friends I have made here, you guys mean the world to me and I don’t want to say goodbye!
Brendon Raphushaj
Manhattan School of Music
Thank you, Opera Lucca for this immense opportunity! Susana has been my dream opera role since I was 19. What a wonderful group of people to work with. Ah, tutti contenti, saremo così!
Samantha Paredes
Manhattan School of Music
Opera Lucca is a wonderful program for collaborative pianists who are starting to dip their toes into Italian opera. You will learn the language, play for music/staging rehearsals, and have opportunities to take lessons from their amazing faculty.
Lily Witemeyer
