The call for applications for the Bottega Donizetti 2026, a masterclass for young opera singers dedicated to the study and practice of Donizetti’s repertoire, is now open. In its sixth edition, the workshop, curated by vocal coach and pianist Giulio Zappa, will take place in Bergamo with a training programme divided into two phases:
- masterclasses from 4 to 17 May;
- production of the 2026 Donizetti Opera festival from 12 October to 29 November, with participation in the operas Le convenienze ed inconvenienze teatrali and L’esule di Roma.
Participation in the Bottega Donizetti is free and open to artists born on or after 1 January 1994. Applications for admission must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Sunday 15 February 2026 using the forms available at this link.
In-person auditions will be held on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 March 2026. Six opera singers (one soprano, one mezzo-soprano/contralto, one tenor and three baritones, basses or bass-baritones) will be selected and will receive a scholarship of €2,000 and €4,500 for participating in the Donizetti Opera 2026 productions. Participants may also be involved in additional artistic activities and as cover for the main roles.
The teaching programme includes modules on vocal technique, score study, interpretation of Donizetti’s operatic repertoire, body expression techniques and character development, philology and Donizetti’s musical dramaturgy, with an internationally renowned teaching staff that includes, in addition to Zappa himself, Riccardo Frizza, Paolo Bordogna, Cristiano Sandri, Paolo Fabbri and Alberto Zanardi.
➡️ Full announcement and application form available in the Bandi aperti section of the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti website.
