About Us
The Asolo Song Festival and Institute for Song Interpretation is an annual summer festival sponsored by the College Music Society, the City of Asolo (Italy), and the Consortium of Universities for International Studies, which comprises 31 accredited U.S. public universities, and whose office is located at the University of Iowa (who grants credit hours for participation in Consortium programs). The festival is administered by CIMBA, the Consortium’s Italian affiliate, who, for the past 15 years, has run one of the largest and most successful international programs in all of Italy.
Over the past several years, the Asolo Song Festival and Institute has offered young musicians from across the United States and Europe a four-week opportunity for intense interpretive engagement with Art Song. Rigorous study of interpretive issues, collaborative performance and performance techniques has culminated in 8 yearly performances in the beautiful concert venues of northern Italy. In addition, each summer, 8 world-class artists have traveled to the program’s home in Paderno del Grappa to offer masterclasses and workshops, supplementing the excellent musical training offered by the institute’s primary faculty.
The four-week Song Festival and Institute runs from mid-May to mid-June each summer. The primary focus is on collaborative performance between singers and pianists, employing our innovative interdisciplinary approach to the musical interpretive process. Through a rewarding and intense series of masterclasses with well-known Italian artists, collaborative workshops, individual lessons, performances in exciting venues, and daily interpretation seminars, vocalists and pianists have an unparalleled opportunity for artistic growth. Musicians also take part in a spoken Italian workshop and are encouraged to participate in numerous culturally enriching activities organized especially for festival musicians. Since our annual enrollment is quite small (a maximum of 23), young musicians have unprecedented opportunities to work with both the principle and guest faculty.
The program focuses primarily on the artistic interpretation of Art Song through careful study, preparation and performance. In addition, performance repertoire will include works for solo piano, chamber music, and operatic excerpts. The program takes place in the beautiful Veneto region of Italy, forty-five kilometers north of Venice.
Read more about extra-curricular activities during the festival.
Recent/Upcoming Faculty and Guest Artists:
Dr. Matthew Shaftel, Florida State University, Festival Director
Dr. Tad Hardin, Lawrence University, Director of Collaborative Studies
Dr. Christopher Swanson, Longwood University, Director of Vocal Studies
Michael Harper, London Song Festival, Opera Scenes Director, Vocal Studies
Rachel Joselson, University of Iowa, Vocal Studies
Shari Rhoads, University of Iowa, Collaborative Studies, Opera Coaching
Rene Lecuona, University of Iowa, Collaborative Studies
Nigel Foster, London Song Festival , Collaborative Studies
Lady Errollyn Wallen, Composer in Residence
Emily Doolittle, Cornish College, Composer in Residence
Dr. Sean Beavers, Liberty University , Collaborative Studies (Guitar)
Michela Marin, Italian Coach
Pascale Shaftel, French Coach
Elisabetta Battaglia, Guest Artist (Teatro alla Scala)
Dr. Emily Yap Chua, Guest Artist (Randolph College)
Babette Dorn, Guest Artist (Pianist, Lied Scholar)
Dr. Fillipo Faes, Guest Artist (Castelfranco Conservatory)
Massimiliano Frani, Guest Artist (Vicenza Conservatory)
Dr. Evan Jones, Guest Artist (Florida State University)
Elisabetta Maschio, Guest Artist (Conductor, director of La Rejouissance Festival)
Dr. Donald George, Guest Artist (SUNY),
Dr. Lucy Mauro, Guest Artist (Radford College)