Josep Carreras International Singing Masterclass in Pesaro, 4th edition: the role of humility, discipline and emotion
Last week the G. Rossini Conservatory of Music hosted the 4th edition of the José Carreras International Singing Masterclass, which was held at the Auditorium Pedrotti of the Conservatory in Pesaro, from Monday 21st to Saturday 26 January 2019.
Four years ago, Josep Carreras started his masterclasses, which he exclusively carries out at the Conservatory in Pesaro where Maestro Lorenzo Bavaj, his long-time pianist and close friend, teaches.
As Carreras often remarks, Bavaj is responsible for his decision to start teaching. For this reason, the legendary tenor was back to Pesaro for the 4th time to share his 50-year experience on singing and providing tips to young students (see an example here) from all around the world, from USA to the Far East. An activity - he reported to local newspaper Il Resto del Carlino - he never regrets doing, as it is demanding (at least 8 hour class a day) as much as rewarding. "Every year there is this kind of magic in Pesaro, it is very exciting" he said.
This year, 25 students were admitted, and Carreras was really satisfied about the general level and very optimistic about the future career of some of them, as long as they don't forget humility, discipline and the emotions they have to convey every time they sing. In particular, he mentioned a couple of tenors, a mezzo and at least two sopranos, but avoided telling their names.
On Saturday, 11 students were selected to perform during the final concert. For each of them, Carreras and Bavaj chose the most suitable song of the three they had presented with, and created an extremely varied program which included popular arias by Rossini, Mozart, Puccini, Bellini and Verdi, besides to a couple of pieces from the operetta and zarzuela repertoire. Most singers were sopranos, plus three tenors, a mezzo and a baritone.
Credits: Antonio Vergadoro
After the concert, Josep Carreras joined the stage for his speech, upon invitation of the Director of the Conservatory.
Credits: Blog Josep Carreras
He thanked the President, the Director and all those people who make possible this event, which is both a joy and a responsibility for him, but mostly a joy. As he explained, he was once the youngest in opera houses and concert halls, but now he's not at all, so he really enjoys being with young people, talk about how lines should be sung, try to give some tips and share a bit of the experience he has acquired throughout his 50 year career.
But most of all he expressed his gratitude towards the one he defined an excellent collaborator and closest friend, Lorenzo Bavaj, whom he started working with thirty years ago this year.
Credits: Blog Josep Carreras
Credits: Blog Josep Carreras
He ended his speech showing his hope to be back there again in the most immediate future.
Credits: Blog Josep Carreras / Spirito Giovane
After handing out the attending certificate to each student, some of which had already attended a couple of previous edition of the masterclass (hope they are really treasuring his teachings and finally put them into practise), Carreras was asked to perform with Lorenzo Bavaj.
Credits: Antonio Vergadoro
Credits: Antonio Vergadoro
Eventually, he sang Lejana tierra mía and Musica Proibita (watch a short excerpt here)... and they were worth the whole concert, as proved by the fired ovation Carreras received after each song. What a phrasing, what a volume. What a heart. This was a further, unintended class to everyone.
The legendary tenor sincerely thanked the audience, pointed at his devoted, adoring students with his arm, and then pulled out a red rose from the bunch of flowers he received and gave it to Lorenzo Bavaj, as a sign of their 30 year special friendship.
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