Last week’s culture spotlight depicted la vie française, with sprawling vineyards and decadent food. This week is all about our Italian home: the city of Novafeltria.

Surrounded by rolling mountains and pine forests, Novafeltria lies in the heart of the Valley of the Marecchia. Its close proximity to Bologna and Tuscany imbues the city with an artistic and cultural liveliness that perfectly accompanies CLA’s musical offerings. From walks along the Marecchia River to explorations of the Monday markets, Novafeltria encourages individual exploration as well as collective discovery. This enchanting city has housed Classic Lyric Arts programs since our first summer in 2009, and we look forward to many more songful days under its warm Italian sun.

Our CLA Italy alumni share memories from eleven summers of adventure, friendship, and opera in our dear Novafeltria.

The thought of Novafeltria fills me with memories of touch: the cool of the river in the heat of day, the intimacy of the Trattoria da Checco, the radiant warmth of the midday sun. It is a town deeply connected to both its natural and human histories, and this richness of story presents the perfect backdrop for study, connection, and music-making.

One of my favorite memories from Novafeltria was when we went to play soccer on an open field after a fulfilling day of singing. A local soccer coach appeared and started coaching everyone in Italian. He yelled “Passaggi, passaggi!”and we all laughed about how we hear the exact same word in our voice lessons. Novafeltria was the perfect place to experience the all-encompassing Italian culture: the energy, the language, the music, and the food! I still yearn for Milena’s spaghetti pesto…

Living and learning in Novafeltria felt like a dream. I’ve never seen so many stars in the sky like I have there; it was absolutely breathtaking. I especially loved the Monday markets full of fresh produce and beautiful handmade crafts.

I remember arriving in that magical little town in Italy where everyone welcomed us so warmly and the landscape was just breathtaking - it was a perfect environment for our study of Italian opera.  I owe so much to CLA, and all of the incredible coaches who came to teach us.  It was a truly formative time for me in my development as an artist.  Their insights into our art form are still with me to this day, and the friends and memories are too.”

Want to learn more about Novafeltria and CLA Italy?
Read our Italy 2019 blog, written by CLA participants.