Reaching for Rossini

In an engaging programme full of beautiful music, Joanna Robertson eavesdrops on a cast of talented young opera singers from around the world, as they work on favourite arias to perfect the style of "bel canto" ("beautiful singing"). They have come to the bel canto summer school of the Georg Solti Accademia, in the small Italian seaside town of Castiglione della Pescaia in Tuscany. The academy was founded in memory of the legendary conductor who had his summer residence here. We listen in on the world-class students as they hone their bel canto technique with leading vocal coaches, opera singers and conductors.

"Bel canto" is now on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is both a style of singing and a repertoire. It requires vocal artists to produce a penetrating yet luxuriantly smooth, and very expressive sound - often with virtuosic and dazzling runs of notes. Bel canto singing can be heard above an orchestra, without the help of amplification. It sounds effortless, but takes years to learn. It can be used for any style of music, but the repertoire most closely associated with it are operas by the nineteenth century Italian composers Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti. Joanna joins the young singers and their teachers to find out more about bel canto and to hear how this sound is produced.

Producers: Arlene Gregorius and Joanna Robertson Editor: Penny Murphy Production Coordinator: Maria Ogundele Sound mix: Andy Fell Photo of Rebecca Gulinello by Jennifer Lorenzini

With special thanks to Jonathan Papp, Artistic Director, and all at the Solti Accademia 2024 Young artists heard in this programme: Eva Rae Martinez - Soprano Rebecca Gulinello - Soprano Aebh Kelly - Soprano Clover Kayne - Mezzo Soprano Xavier Hetherington - Tenor Oliver Heuzenroeder - Baritone