Original article (Dutch): operamagazine.nl
Soprano Claudia Patacca and tenor Amand Hekkers share a deep fascination with the voice. After years of passing that passion to a new generation of opera singers, they joined forces to found opera studio Giravoce, aiming to help young singers with “the whole package”: technical skill, repertoire, audition training, and stage presence.
The studio grew out of the pair’s observation that little was organised for young singers over the summer months in the Netherlands, unlike in France or Italy. Their plan: a week-long intensive summer course with role coaching across every aspect of the opera profession, alongside masterclasses and coaching throughout the year.
The name Giravoce — literally “voice that goes around” — reflects their belief that everything in their teaching revolves around the voice, respecting the individuality and vulnerability of every singer.