Blog
A Chronicle of Music, Culture, and Community
Orvieto Board Member Julie Allison Opens Up about Opportunity, Inclusion, and Molding the Music World with Our Ideals
Becoming a professional singer is a difficult road that requires an intense focus on yourself and your career, often leaving little space for others along the way. Every aspect of your person and performance is open to scrutiny, and the pressure of meeting...
Pippa Dames-Longworth on Inspiring Artistry, Discovering Authenticity, and Pursuing Impactful Professional Vocal Training
From the moment soprano Pippa Dames-Longworth stepped into The Red House at the age of 22 to sing for the legendary English tenor, Peter Pears, she was destined for a life of playing roles. The former partner of Benjamin Britten guided her professional vocal training...
Alumni Spotlight: David Carreon Reflects on Sacrifice, Risk, and Embracing the Moment
Every musician has to venture outside their comfort zone and step into unknown experiences on their journey to a successful career. Some choices are small, but others are major turning points. Studying with new teachers, traveling to international festivals, and...
Planning Your Escape to the Central Italian Countryside
Visiting central Italy is a must for any enthusiastic travelers who love food, wine, art, history, and adventure that only the Old Country can deliver. From the ruins of the ancient Roman forum to the top of the iconic cathedral in Florence, there’s no shortage of...
Faculty Features: Robyn Julyan On Building Bridges to Professionalism at Orvieto Musica
For nearly a decade, violinist Robyn Julyan has been guiding the growth and professional emergence of the young chamber musicians who have made the journey into the Italian countryside for the String Chamber Intensive program at Orvieto Musica. The three weeks they...
Faculty Features: Riccardo Bonci Discusses Ancient Organs and Budding Professionals
Tens of thousands of visitors flock to Orvieto, Italy every year to enjoy the traditional food and culture and stand in awe of one of Europe’s most gorgeous and ornate cathedral facades. For €5 (€8 beginning in 2025), you can go inside and explore this masterpiece of...
The Sydney Eisteddfod Quartet Reflects on Their Time at Orvieto Musica
2024 marks the inaugural season of the Sydney Eisteddfod String Quartet residency with Orvieto Musica. This ambitious partnership is the brainchild of Executive Director Kim Walker SE Board Chair Max Holzner, with the goal of connecting four young prizewinners from...
Alumni Spotlight: Malachi Williams Discusses Turning Dreams into Reality and Loving People Along the Way
Orvieto Musica’s energy has a way of attracting young professionals who are driven to search for their own success, not just accept what the world sends their way. It’s a place to experience and engage with old culture and explore new dimensions of life and art—and...
Sydney Eisteddfod Board Chair Max Holzner Discusses Progress and Partnerships with Orvieto Musica
The Sydney Eisteddfod is by far and away the largest arts festival of its type in Australia and one of the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere. It features talented students and emerging young artists from around the country, and Board Chair Max Holzner is guiding the...
Life around Orvieto Cathedral: Visiting the Piazza del Duomo
Orvieto is one of the most beautiful hill towns you’ll find anywhere in Italy. This Renaissance gem is full of history and intrigue, and its ancient walls have been a refuge for popes and home to artisans and aristocrats for centuries. Like the Etruscan catacombs...
Alumni Spotlight: Mahakit Lerdcheewanan
Thailand is fast becoming the new “It” destination for classical musicians, and violinist Dr. Mahakit Lerdcheewanan has found himself at the center of its artistic wellspring. In his role as Assistant Concertmaster of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and faculty...
Faculty Features: Dr. Evan Jones and Creating the Vocalists of Tomorrow
For over a decade, Dr. Evan Jones has been preparing and training the next generation of vocal performers at Florida State to take hold of the diverse and rewarding opportunities that are evolving in today’s musical landscape. Whether it’s prestigious roles in film...
Interview with Diane and James Charney
15 years ago, Diane and James Charney arrived at a small farmhouse at the end of a strada bianca—a simple dirt road—near the village of Castel Giorgio about 20 minutes outside of Orvieto in the Umbrian hills. “It was a ruin”, according to James, with a wall that was...
Faculty Features: Velvet Brown Explores Her Instrument, Instruction, and Inspiration
Tuba virtuoso: you probably didn’t know there was such a thing unless you’ve heard Velvet Brown play, and then you’ll never forget. In addition to being a sought-after chamber musician, recording artist, and soloist, Velvet is Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Penn...
Orvieto Connections: Valentina Zanchi and Luis Zanchi Pachano Talk Food, Famiglia, and the Future
Orvieto’s ancient 12th century city walls are still the crown of the Umbrian landscape, and since the beginning the story of her people has been a marriage of tradition and innovation. From the Renaissance to the installation of the very first internet router, the...
Alumni Spotlight: Leah Froyd Talks Chamber Music for the Next Generation
Leah Froyd is barely out of school, but she’s already making waves as a violinist and engaging the chamber music audiences of the future. After establishing herself on the San Francisco scene as a performer, collaborator, and teacher, in 2022 she added entrepreneur to...
Rome to Orvieto: One of Italy’s Greatest Day Trips
Rome is a glorious monument to Western civilization, and rightly so. It’s packed with epic history, delicious food, vibrant culture… and a million ravenous tourists scrambling over its streets and statuary from dawn to well after sundown. Rome 2023 was a banner year...