ITALIAN RIVIERA - LA SPEZIA

FAU Opera in Italy

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Program Description

Spend a month with FAU Opera Theatre faculty in a captivating port city along the Italian Riviera, refining your musical skills or deepening your music appreciation. This faculty-led education abroad program is open to all students and is perfect for voice students or non-music majors seeking general education (IFP)/elective course credit while studying abroad. Voice students will train with scholars from the USA and Europe, participate in expert-led workshops, sing in multiple concerts throughout the region, and attend classes in the historic Giacomo Puccini Conservatory. The conservatory will still be in session, so this program offers a unique opportunity to train simultaneously with Italian students. For students seeking general education/elective credits in Music Appreciation, your journey will encompass daily classes, the chance to observe singing master classes, and engagement in cultural events across La Spezia, Florence, and Verona. The program allows ample free time for students to discover places like Cinque Terre, Pisa, Genoa, Lucca, and more at their own pace. The program culminates with a visit to the historic Arena di Verona to experience an opera performance.

The singing courses, led by Dr. Mitchell Hutchings (2024 Faculty Talon Award recipient), cater perfectly to emerging vocalists looking to solidify their foundational techniques. This intensive education abroad training program delivers specialized instruction in Italian song literature, operatic literature, and staged scenes selected according to the individual needs and abilities of the student. Public performance opportunities include concerts of operatic and/or song literature. The highest standards are sought in a nurturing and supportive environment, allowing participants to leave La Spezia with new skills and elevated poise and confidence.

APPLY NOW FACULTY-LED APPLICATION

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term Year Application Deadline
(or as space permits)		 Start Date/Check-in End Date/Check-out
Summer 2025 February 4, 2025 May 17, 2025 June 17, 2025

 

Program fee payment deadline: See details below in program cost section. 

Information Sheet

Open to All academic disciplines
Language of Instruction English
Level of Study Undergraduate & Graduate
Credit Offered FAU credits
Program Primary Subject Music 
Sponsoring College College of Arts and Letters

 

Program Course Offerings:

  • MUL 2010: History and Appreciation of Music (3 credits) - IFP course open to all non-music majors
  • MUS 4957: Music Study Abroad (1-6 credits) 
  • MUO 6505: Opera Workshop (1 credit) - only open to music majors

Course Eligibility & Requirements:

All participants are required to enroll in at least 1 program course offering listed above. Each course requires permission from instructor

Include your course(s) of interest on your study abroad application in the course section.

Program Eligibility & Requirements

  • Must have a 2.5 overall GPA for undergraduates & 3.0 GPA for graduates 
  • Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
  • Must be eligible to take FAU courses during the study abroad program term
  • See Policies & Procedures page for more information
 

 

Program Faculty Leader: Mitchell Hutchings

Education Abroad Contact: Madison McShane

Department of Music Director

Phone number: 561-297-4065

Phone number: 561-297-1080

Email: mhutchings@fau.edu

Email: mmcshane@fau.edu

 

Location

Situated in the Liguria region on the western point of the Italian Riviera, La Spezia is a charming harbor town with just under 100,000 residents resting about halfway between Genoa and Pisa. La Spezia is large enough to experience diverse cuisine, shopping, and attractions, yet small enough to explore by foot or bicycle. The city is notable for its museums, port, and proximity to the beautiful Cinque Terre coastline.

Housing

Students will stay in shared apartments with other program participants. 

opera  

Program Cost and Funding

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information 

  • Students participating on FAU Faculty-led Programs may use eligible financial aid
  • Program participants may be eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship
  • See additional scholarship and funding information here.

 

Program Cost

$3,750.00 program fee + tuition for the required program summer course(s). FAU in-state or out-of-state rates apply. 

Program fee payment deadlines: 
1ST PAYMENT:       $1,900 due Tuesday, Feburay 11, 2025
2ND PAYMENT:      $1,850 due Thursday, February 27, 2025

Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email. Payments can't be deferred. Plan accordingly. 

Program Fee Includes:

  • Accommodations from check-in through check-out date
  • Transportation from train station to accommodations upon arrival
  • Concerts
  • Engagement in cultural events across La Spezia 
  • Day trip to Florence 
  • Travel to the city of Verona and ticket to see Verdi's Nabucco at the Arena di Verona
  • Daily classes
  • International medical insurance 

Activities and excursions are subject to change by faculty leader or program provider/vendor if needed. Replacement activity or excursion would be provided.

Program Fee Does Not Include :

  • International Flight
  • $200 administrative fee paid at time of application submission
  • Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
  • Personal spending money

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Passport and Travel Documentation

  • A valid passport is required for all international travel. You need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
  • Review up-to-date details  HERE. Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
  • Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the  Country Information  to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  
  • If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the  Travel.State.Gov  website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit  U.S. Embassy.gov.
  • Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required. 

International Health Insurance

All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost. The 2025 Coverage plan will be available in January 2025. Participants can review the current 2024 plan  HERE  for reference.

Health and Safety Resources to Explore Prior to Traveling Abroad

Pre-departure Orientation and Meetings

All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program. 

1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips. 
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.