Courses

DESCRIPTION OF TEACHING

Peter Berne works with the Italian and German repertoire and is especially well-known as an authority on the Wagner-Strauss-repertoire and the so-called "bel canto" style.

His teaching includes:

    -    Refinement of singing technique (no basic technique!)
    -    Musical and psychological interpretation of roles
    -    Italian delivery
    -    German delivery, with emphasis on the works of Wagner and R. Strauss
    -    Performance practice in Mozart
    -    Performance practice from Rossini to Verdi (variations, cadenzas, and special means of
         expression, such as portamento, messa di voce, rubato, agilità, colori della voce, etc.)
    -    Philosophical significance of the works of Wagner and R. Strauss

Luigi Ricci with Pietro Mascagni

A special emphasis in his teaching is put on the continuing of the work of his two teachers: KURT OVERHOFF, the great Wagner specialist, teacher of Wieland Wagner, and collaborator with Richard Strauss - and LUIGI RICCI, the most renowned Italian coach of the last century, unquestioned authority on Italian style, and collaborator with Puccini. Ricci, whose musical activity started in 1904, had received from his maestro, Antonio Cotogni, the authentic information on what Verdi had changed, added, explained, and required from the singers during the rehearsals of his operas; later on, he completed this knowledge by adding his own experiences with Puccini to it. Peter Berne has received this information from Ricci - and is now the last link in an uninterrupted tradition which comes directly from the great composers of the last two centuries. For him, giving this inestimable knowledge on to today's singers is a very serious obligation.