Cubec- Centro Universale del bel Canto

A tradition of excellence

The idea behind CUBEC, the Universal Centre for Bel Canto Singing, was the need to have a central institute to coach young opera singers and piano accompanists for lyric theatre.

Through the CUBEC project, the Ghiaurov Foundation organizes specialist courses of study for talented young vocalists and musicians to give them the formal and practical skills they need to perform lyric theatre, and in particular, draws on the artistic and human experience of Mirella Freni and Nicolai Ghiaurov to achieve this aim.

The school, founded by Freni and Ghiaurov who have also been involved as its main instructors from the beginning, is managed by the professional musical training institute and social cooperative Musica e Servizio. Courses are structured in line with the advanced vocational training programmes accredited by Emilia Romagna Regional Council, and run to the highest ISO 9001-certified quality standards. Teaching focuses on practical knowledge and execution skills, and thanks also to joint projects with theatres and theatrical institutions, the aim is to accompany students and see them fully started in their professional careers.

Agreements with two University Institutes for Vocational Training in Art and Music add further distinction to the standard of teaching offered and give CUBEC students the opportunity to study for the "Level II Two-Year" academic qualification in Lyrical and Recitative Singing, Chamber Music for Voice and Piano Accompanists and Collaborators.

CUBEC now offers students three different courses to meet the real needs of young vocalists and pianists aiming to make a professional career in lyrical theatre. A comprehensive and highly specialist teaching programme is guaranteed thanks to the joint projects established and the teaching methodology, experience and instruction provided by the two principal teachers: Mirella Freni and Paola Molinari.