Vocal students and singers at the MAVC, Malta School of Music, have had the opportunity to benefit from masterclasses with Prof. Carlos Conde.

Dr. Conde, an American-born bass-baritone with a long international career as an opera singer and widely known as a vocal pedagogue and a professor of opera-performing-practice, answered an invitation to visit the Mikiel Anton Vassalli College Malta School of Music.

The invitation was made on the initiative of Soprano-Teacher Ms Miriam Cauchi. Dr Conde delivered a public lecture on classical singing and gave masterclasses to 31 local singers who were keen on improving their singing technique and repertoire interpretation.

The public lecture on classical singing was based on the Italian linguistic perspective – a vocal technique which dates back to the 13th century Italian School of Singing.

It was supported by theories of bel canto masters including Marchetto da Padova (1274-1326), Francesco Tosi (1653-1732), Nicolo Porpora (1688-1768), Giovanni Battista Mancini (1714-1800), Vincenzo Manfredini (1737-1799), Giovanni Lamperti (1839-1910), and Manuel García (1805-1906).

A highlight of the event was the active collaboration of the three voice teachers from the Vocal Department of the MAVC Malta School of Music namely, Ms. Miriam Cauchi, Dr. Andriana Yordanova, and Ms. Graziella Debattista, with whom Conde established a “remarkable team- teaching dynamic,” the School said.

The students were accompanied by pianist-teachers from same school: Ms Irina Fedcenko, Ms Julia Miller and Ms Galina Antariuk.

Dr. Conde started each masterclass by “vocalising” each singer, and during this process, Dr. Conde referred back to aspects of the technique outlined in his lecture – a technique that has proved its worth over the years with various students worldwide.

Interestingly, Dr. Conde first listened to each student’s speaking voice, and only after that he skilfully guided each student through vocal warm-up drills.

The School said that Dr. Conde helped students improve their technique by inviting students to find an equilibrium between head and chest vocal registers – two apparent extremes which need to be fused together seamlessly like two primary colours.

With a tireless and caring approach, Dr. Conde identified the unique potential within each singer’s voice including areas of interest from a commercial aspect.

Dr. Conde also offered a special lecture on career development, performance practice and a global view on the development of the art form.

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