BELCANTO of Ossiach 2026

Belcanto Ossiach is a master class series for classical singing and song accompaniment. Its highlight is the final concert featuring the participants and faculty.

The vision of Belcanto Ossiach is to foster artistic personalities in classical singing and to communicate musical ideas to the community. It represents a union of singers and musicians with art-loving individuals who have the interest and the desire to create and promote musical culture in regional contexts. The shared experience of the educational process and the performances is at the heart of this academic format.

Participants have the opportunity to receive lessons from all faculty members. A special feature is the master class for duos (voice/song accompaniment).

Faculty:

Vesselina Kasarova – Opera and Art Song for individual participants
The Bulgarian mezzo-soprano is an internationally renowned singer who has set standards particularly in the operas of Mozart and Rossini.

Charles Spencer – Art Song (voice) and song accompaniment for individuals and duos (voice/song accompaniment)
The British-born pianist is one of the most distinguished song accompanists.

Ferdinand von Bothmer (Artistic Director of Belcanto Ossiach) – Vocal technique for individual voice participants
Opera and concert singer.

Zita Tschirk – Piano accompaniment
Song accompanist at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.

Ekaterina Baranovskaia – Repetiteur

Individual participants and duos receive 50 minutes of lessons per day. Switching between instructors is possible.

You receive:

• Individual lessons assigned by the artistic director

• Rehearsal/coaching opportunities

• Access to rehearsal rooms and practice cabins

• Participation in the joint final concert with the faculty

Target group:
Students, professional musicians

Course dates:
4 September to 10 September 2026
Arrival: Friday, 4 September / Departure: Thursday, 10 September
5 teaching days: Saturday, 5 September – Wednesday, 9 September

Final concert of the master class with all faculty members (Vesselina Kasarova, Charles Spencer, Ferdinand von Bothmer, Zita Tschirk) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Baroque Hall.

Course fees:
Individual participation: €630 (early-bird discount for applications submitted by 28 February 2026)
For all later applications, the course fee for individual participation is €700
Participation as a duo: €750
(accommodation and meals not included)

Minimum number of participants: 15

Information to be provided with the application:

• Individual participation or participation as a duo

• Preferred teacher for instruction (V. Kassarova, C. Spencer, F. von Bothmer)

• CV / artistic résumé

• Audio or video sample, or a recommendation from a teacher
  (not required for applicants who have already participated in BCO in previous years)

Video submission (mandatory):
The application video must be submitted exclusively as a link (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, etc.) in the text field
“Message / other information.”
The video link must not have an expiration date and must not be time-limited.