MASTERCLASS IN SINGING AND

MADRIGAL ENSEMBLE CONDUCTING

Sofia, Bulgaria | 22-26 February 2023

Jean-Sébastien Beauvais

Early music vocal ensemble Cantanti DAI MONTI VERDI will be hosting its first masterclass in ensemble conducting and singing led by internationally acclaimed countertenor and conductor Jean-Sébastien Beauvais at the Slaveykov hall of the French Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria, 22-26 February 2023.

Under the guidance of Mr. Beauvais participants that are conductors will have the opportunity to lead the DAI MONTI VERDI ensemble in performing madrigals by Franco-Flemish composers of the late XVI and early XVII centuries, while singers will be coached by Mr. Beauvais in the interpretation of early vocal music.

The masterclass will conclude with a concert of all the active participants.

PARTICIPATION & CONDITIONS

The masterclass is open to a total of 10 active participants: 5 conductors and 5 singers.

In the spirit of internalisation and to encourage intercultural exchange at least 2 (but not more than 3) of the conductors are to be selected internationally. Conductors that are also singers may elect to sing as part of the ensemble and conduct it from within.

The working language of the masterclass will be English.

The masterclass fee for active participants (both conductors and singers) is 100 € / 200 BGN.

The participants fees may be paid in cash or by bank transfer prior to the beginning of the masterclass. Bank details will be disclosed to the selected active participants.

Candidates that have not been selected as active participants will remain in reserve, in case a selected participant is unable to attend. Further, the non-selected candidates may attend the masterclass and concert as listeners free of charge.

Boarding and travel expenses are NOT covered either for local or for international participants. However, international participants may be greeted at Sofia airport, the central bus or the central train station free of charge, depending on prior agreement.

A répétiteur / accompanist will be available.

Listeners are admitted for the price of 2.5 € / 5 BGN per day in cash upon entering the venue.

REGISTRATION

Registration opens 5th December 2022 and closes 6th January 2023.

NB! The registration deadline has been extended.

Results will be announced by e-mail to all entrants on 9th January. There will be no further  extensions. If the participant quotas have not been filled in, then the surplus instruction time will be divided equally among the enrolled participants. The final selection of participants lies with the masterclass leader and is not subject to dispute.

In order to apply for the masterclass, please send in to CDMV@architettimusicali.org:

  • Your CV (in English or French)

For conductors:

  • A short video recording of yourself conducting an ensemble / choir / orchestra.
  • If you would like to sing and conduct from within the ensemble, you will also need to send a recording of the part you have chosen to sing. This will be done after the initial selection of conductors is complete and once the full repertoire is announced.

For singers:

  • An audio or video recording of at least two contrasting pieces showcasing your singing skills. At least one of the pieces has to be from the Baroque or earlier periods.

NB! Audio files up to 10 MB may be sent over e-mail. For videos or larger audio files, please use a streaming platform such as YouTube, etc or a link to Google Drive / DropBox.

REPERTOIRE

CONDUCTORS:

  • Orlando di Lasso (1532–1594) – «Carmina Chromatico» from «Prophetiae Sibyllarum», ca. 1555-60
  • «Sauter, danser, faire des tours», 1576
  • «Dessus le marché d’Arras», 1584
  • Claude Le Jeune (ca. 1529–1600) – «Je suis déshéritée», Meslanges, Livre 2, op. posth. 1612
  • Giovanni de Macque (1548/50–1614) – «La mia doglia s’avanza», Libro VI, 1613
  • Michelangelo Rossi (1601/02–1656) – «Or che la notte», Libro I, 1630 /in two parts/
  • Giaches de Wert (1535–1596) – «Vezzosi augelli», Libro VIII, 1586
  • «Forsennata gridava», Libro VIII, 1586
  • «Dica chi vuol», 1589
  • «M’ha punt’ Amor», 1589

The scores are available for download from the following link: Masterclass Scores

Please do not use alternate editions, as these are the ones that the ensemble uses.

Please note that the focus of the conducting masterclass will be interpretation of early music; NOT conducting technique and general rehearsing. The conductors are expected to be very well prepared with all the repertoire listed above.

SINGERS:

  • Early vocal music (pre-1750) of their own choice, ideally repertoire in French.

SCHEDULE

22–23.02.2022 (Wednesday–Thursday)

  • 12:00 – 15:00 masterclass in singing.
  • 17:00 – 20:00 masterclass in conducting.

24.02.2022 (Friday)

  • 11:00 – 14:00 masterclass in singing.
  • 17:00 – 20:00 masterclass in conducting (at the Pancho Vladigerov House Museum, 10 Yakubitsa Str.).

25.02.2022 (Saturday)

  • 11:00 – 14:00 final masterclass sessions.
  • 15:00 – 17:00 dress rehearsal.

26.02.2022 (Sunday)

  • 11:00 – 12:00 acoustic rehearsal.
  • 12:00 – 14:00 concert.

NB! The schedule may be subject to change.

Q&A SECTION

The harpsichord will be tuned to baroque pitch (A=415 Hz).

For questions not covered in the overview above, please reach out to the below e-mail address: CDMV@architettimusicali.org

COVID-19 Considerations: travel restrictions have been lifted in Bulgaria. Providing proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results is not required for entry to the country. However, please be sure to verify this information prior to booking your ticket.

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

This masterclass is organised jointly by Architetti musicali and the Pancho Vladigerov House Museum with the generous support of the French Institute in Bulgaria.

The internationalisation of this event was supported by the IGNITE project.

Cantanti DAI MONTI VERDI extend their gratitude to: