The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music – Trentino Music Festival

Jessica Hurst and Me On Our First Day In Italy
Jessica Hurst and Me On Our First Day In Italy
Wow! What an incredible and busy week I have had in Italy whilst participating in the Music Academy International.

On-The-Balcony
On The Balcony Of Our Apartment For Six.
I have attended and performed in many master classes, at one I received a great wealth of knowledge and advice from the amazing opera singer Deborah Voigt.  I learnt some great vocal technique tips from Jean-Michelle Charbonnet and I discovered the poise available in the legato line from Mitchell Piper and exercises in how to achieve this.

The Language Centre
The Language Centre
Before arriving here in Italy I had been selected by the tutors to perform in two operas “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, and “Suor Angelica” by Puccini.  So I was thrilled to be approached whilst studying here and asked to also learn the role of Gretel from “Hänsel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck and so I thought that if I work my little butt off I might get a chance of performing at least the first act :).  So you can guess what I’ll be doing in my free time!

English-Breakfast-Tea

Yesterday I was translating the score word for word over my first English Breakfast tea here in Italy, hehe!  It was certainly a treat to indulge myself in a home comfort whilst studying this beautiful music!

Blue-Skies
Blue Skies And Beautiful Views Very Inspirational
I will try to take lots of pictures of the rehearsal process as we begin staging, to be a part of the process of putting together an opera over a few weeks is an exciting challenge and one that I know will be so much fun as I have the pleasure to be working with amazing Staff who have incredible imaginations and enthusiastic students who have come here from all over the world to be part of this amazing opportunity.

Being here in Italy reminds me that it is good to be around people who motivate us to be better and help to bring out the best potential in all of us. I would also like to thank ‘The Hope Scott Trust’ for a grant to help with the flight, transfer and travel insurance I’m very grateful for the award which has helped me to participate in this fabulous opportunity.

37-Degrees-In-The-Shade
Out And About, Such A Beautiful Day

58 thoughts on “The Hills Are Alive With The Sound Of Music – Trentino Music Festival

    1. So so true I’m very grateful to everyone that downloaded my album to help to contribute to me doing this training opportunity and to the Hope Scott Trust for funding towards my air ticket and to my parents of course who just work and work and work to provide opportunities they couldn’t have dreamt of. I will make sure I don’t waste a penny.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  1. Hehe. I am so un-cultured I thought to myself “I didn’t realize the singer Engelbert Humperdinck also wrote opera”. I’ve looked up the composer and now have been enlightened.

    1. When I told my Dad he did the same thing he thought it was the pop singer from the 70s as the name was so unusual 🙂 But the music is beautiful and I am enjoying getting to know the score.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

    1. I’m saving the main trips for when my parents get here at the end of the course, this is just the scenery from the academy, it’s unbelievable to study in such a beautiful place.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  2. I love that you are getting to have these experiences AND sharing them with us in these little tidbits! i am completely jealous! I don’t sing (really…don’t ever ask me to sing a note!) but I play the flute and absolutely adore The Magic Flute (OF COURSE! My flute is named Freddy…:D ) and Hansel and Gretel. My 2 year started singing about dancing when I told her you were practicing for Gretel (FYI Curious George has both a book and the cartoon episode made from the book that includes Hansel and Gretel..you should check it out! George dancing and performing the opera with hand puppets for a sick friend).

  3. While you’re there…my Stone Dragon Saga books are up for free download on kindle today only and I’ve never had a download in Italy. Know anyone there who might download one or more? I would love for them to read the books as well…but that isn’t a requirement as long as I can say “Hey Da look, someone in Italy downloaded mine…” 😉

    1. Do you have a link and I’ll put it on my Facebook while I’m here, I don’t have a Kindle is it available to download on iPad? Good luck with it. I will check it out, I love the score for Hansel and Gretel.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

      1. I have the link but the free give away has ended! Kindle has a free reader app that you can download onto any tablet/smart phone or laptop/desktop computer.

        http://www.amazon.com/author/elizabethtyree is my author page. If you want to check them out anyway. You should be able to go to kindle through amazon (or just click on the kindle books on my page) and find the free reader app with no problems.

        Thank you anyway. I appreciate it.

    1. Thanks a lot Eric, I know how hard everyone works to make this happen for me, at my age my Nana had three children and a part-time job and at 21 my Mum had spent four years in work and was busy with my Dad growing a business. Without their help and the encouragement of my friends here on my blog and my social media pages it would not be possible to pursue my dream and I am so thankful to everyone 🙂

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

    1. All the students are getting great tans studying in the sunshine, I’m going to look like a vampire with my factor 30 :). It’s good to be challenged.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  4. That was great experience to be able to travel to meet with others who are interested in the same goal. You must have lot of good time there. Those pictures are gorgeous.

    1. I’m sharing with five other girls, three from America and one from South America and Jess who is from my Conservatoire, it’s been super meeting everyone.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

    1. Oh yes, absolutely, the Conservatoire is very strict about vocal warm-ups and pacing your training, lots of none singing word and music learning at the moment.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  5. This place looks like it is taken right out of a fairy tale, and of course you are there as the Princess Charlotte looking so perfect ~ what a great opportunity and experience you are having. Wish you the best.

  6. I admire your work ethos Charlotte, you always put 100% in to everything you do and the results speak for themselves, well done. It all sounds very exciting and, you get to see and enjoy a beautiful country. See you when you get back xxx

  7. Gorgeous! If my eyes weren’t already green, they’d turn that way with envy–what a place to get to study and perform! Best of luck with Gretel, and keep us posted! What roles will you be performing in the other operas?

    All the very best,

    Cate

    1. Hi Cate, I’m a Knabe in The Magic Flute and the Novice in Suor Angelica and learning chorus. I think it was January when I auditioned for a place it came around really quickly.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  8. The views are splendid and it sounds like you don’t have a moment to spare. Can’t wait to hear all about putting an opera together. Thanks for taking us along!

  9. What beautiful country!! All the opportunities open to you too, Charlotte… 😉 Am so glad for you, how lovely.Enjoy the time there as you meet and make new friends too! The musicals are wonderful, congratulations 🙂 All the very best, Iris

    1. Hi Iris, the town is beautiful and the weather is glorious as here we are up in the mountains. I am enjoying the experience and looking forward to next four weeks of intensive study. I feel so lucky to be part of the the project.

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

    1. Hi Linda, I love being part of this project and working hard on what I love to do. I love your pictures and my Dad would agree with you that every little girl is a princess 🙂

      Best wishes
      Charlotte

    1. I know I’m pinching myself! I’m hoping to get one nights performance in Gretel I’ve Act 1 off score now and Act 2 blocked so keep your fingers crossed for me, although to have this in my repertoire with the teaching I’ve had will be fab anyway ☺️.
      Best wishes
      Charlotte

  10. I hope you continue to enjoy your time in Italy – what a fantastic place to have a music festival. Looking forward to hearing how you get on. The photos are lovely! Best wishes, Clare xx

    1. The last two weeks have flown by, working really hard but out to watch an opera tonight, I’ve done a short blog about it for later tonight.
      All the best
      Charlotte

  11. Charlotte, I love that you have fun no matter how hard you’re working. Your sunny nature clearly wins over every person you work with!

  12. I’ve been away and so glad to be back to visit your travel log. What a wonderful experience you’ve been having, playing major roles in these operas. Excited for you!

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