XXVI BELGRADE BAROQUE ACADEMY
ARIODANTE

by George Frideric Handel

24 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER 2026

THE NEXT ACADEMY

Belgrade Baroque Academy presents ARIODANTE by G.F. Handel

The captivating world of Baroque opera comes alive once again! After the great success of our last three opera projects, Rinaldo, Giulio Cesare, Alcina, and Siroe, of which Giulio Cesare also received the Award for the Best Concert Performance in 2024 from the music magazine "Musica Classica", Belgrade Baroque Academy is delighted to announce its next ambitious opera – the semi-staged presentation of Ariodante by George Frideric Handel, a crowning achievement of Baroque opera, celebrated for its emotional depth, dramatic intensity, and sublime musical beauty.

The Academy will be held from

24 September to 2 October 2026, in conjunction with the Belgrade Early Music Festival.

LOCATION

Perform Baroque Opera in the Heart of Europe

Experience the pulse of Europe in Belgrade, where the next Baroque Academy unfolds. This historic city, brimming with culture and vitality, invites you to its next vibrant chapter of musical excellence and international collaboration in the heart of Europe. For more information, you may visit lonelyplanet.com/serbia/belgrade

About the Opera:

Ariodante is one of Handel’s greatest operatic achievements and among the most emotionally profound masterpieces of the Baroque era. Premiered at Covent Garden in 1735, it is based on episodes from Ludovico Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso and tells a moving story of love, honour, deception and redemption set in the royal court of medieval Scotland. The drama centres on Ariodante, a noble knight whose happiness is shattered when he is led to believe that his beloved Ginevra has betrayed him. Through a series of misunderstandings, intrigues and revelations, the opera explores themes of trust, fidelity, jealousy and forgiveness with remarkable psychological depth.

Filled with some of Handel’s most expressive and celebrated arias, including Scherza infida, and Dopo notte, Ariodante offers singers an exceptional opportunity to explore the emotional richness, virtuosity and dramatic sophistication of eighteenth-century opera. This programme brings the work to life on period instruments, in an immersive environment dedicated to historically informed performance.

How to apply:

We are seeking singers for all principal roles: Ariodante, Ginevra, Polinesso, Dalinda, Lurcanio, and the King of Scotland.

Preparations will take place over nine days, offering participants a unique opportunity to work with leading Baroque specialists and educators. We will also be joined by members of the award-winning period instrument ensemble New Trinity Baroque, who will share their expertise as the official orchestra in residence of the Belgrade Baroque Academy.

This intensive masterclass is intended for advanced singers and baroque instrumentalists (pitch: A=415 Hz). For those instrumentalists who don't have their own baroque instruments, one can be provided through the generous support of the Makris Institute of Music.

The primary language during the Academy will be ENGLISH, but our mentors also speak many others (Italian, German, Russian, French...).

Participation Details:

• Fee*: £1,200 GBP for singers, and £600 GBP for instrumentalists. Opportunities for conductors may also exist by special arrangement (please inquire).

• Deadline: Until full, but priority will be given to those who apply and pay a deposit of at least 25%. Payment in instalments is also possible.

• Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available to applicants for whom the fee is a challenge. Please inquire at application.

• While the accommodation is not included, we can offer assistance in finding suitable options (e.g. AirBnB, hotel recommendations).

• Note: In addition to Ariodante, selected participants may be offered opportunities to appear in other festival concerts and events, depending on repertoire requirements and the number of applications received.

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Who should apply?

We welcome young, passionate singers and instrumentalists eager to explore the richness and expressive depth of Baroque musical interpretation. With the guidance of distinguished experts – including Handel opera expert, contralto Sonia Prina (La Scala, Italy); Academy's founder, harpsichordist, conductor and baritone Predrag Gosta; winner of several international competitions, baroque violinist Simone Pirri; raising star and Italian diction coach, countertenor Sandro Rossi; flutist Meila Tomé; harpsichordist Bojana Dimkovic; and others – this Academy offers a rare opportunity to refine your artistry and express yourself fully on stage.

Participants will receive expert coaching in Baroque style and ornamentation, Italian diction, stage movement, and historical vocal and instrumental techniques. Instrumentalists will be coached in style, technique, ornamentation and the art of the accompaniment. Singers are expected to learn their roles in advance so that we can begin coaching and staging immediately.

Focusing primarily on the music, two final semi-staged performances on 1 and 2 October will be presented in Belgrade, and will be professionally recorded on video, providing a record of your participation and artistic development which you may use for your portfolio or future engagements. Professional photography will also be provided. Click here to see videos from previous Academies on our YouTube channel.

Day-to-Day Schedule

• Days 1-3 (Sep. 24-26): Intensive individual coaching focusing on recitatives, Italian diction, arias and ornamentation, with Predrag Gosta, and Sandro Rossi
• Day 4-5 (Sep. 27-28): Singers are undertaking additional vocal coaching with Handel expert, contralto Sonia Prina. Rehearsals with continuo section, focusing on recitatives, while orchestra rehearsals and coaching with Simone Pirri begin.

• Day 6 (Sep. 29): Italiana (Sitzprobe) with the full orchestra, focusing on arias. Integration of movement and dramatic elements within the semi-staged setting, directed from the harpsichord by Predrag Gosta, in preparation for the final days.
• Day 7 (Sep. 30): General rehearsals of the complete opera.
• Day 8-9 (Oct 1-2): Final performances in Belgrade and Novi Sad (Atrium of the National Museum and the Novi Sad Synagogue).

Note: The Academy officially runs from 24 September – 2 October 2026 (9 days), but all participants should arrive by 23 September at the latest, as activities will begin the following morning at 10 a.m.

* Since the Academy's launch, we have worked hard to keep tuition as accessible as possible and have maintained the same fee structure for the past three years. However, due to increased production costs, travel expenses, and the expansion of our faculty - including internationally renowned guest artists - we have had to make a modest adjustment to tuition. The fee for active singers is now £1,200.

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