Baroque Performance Practice (2025–2026)
Postgraduate course in baroque performance practice
Teachers:
Francesca Lombardi Mazzulli baroque singing
Valeria La Grotta baroque singing
Federico Maria Sardelli transverse flute, conducting
François De Rudder dulcian and baroque bassoon
Paolo Pollastri baroque oboe
Federico Guglielmo baroque violin
Bettina Hoffmann baroque cello
Giulia Nuti harpsichord
Gian Luca Lastraioli theorbo, lute, baroque guitar
Bettina Hoffmann, Federico Maria Sardelli, Giulia Nuti, theory lessons
The annual postgraduate course in baroque performance practice brings together in Fiesole a team of internationally renowned musicians, who jointly design a high-level educational program; it is intended for already trained instrumentalists and singers, providing them with the foundations for historically informed interpretation.
The postgraduate course in baroque performance practice of the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole is structured around practical lessons in instrument, voice, and conducting, ensemble music lessons, and theoretical lessons in baroque performance practice. Ensemble and theory lessons are taught in rotation by all course teachers, in order to offer different approaches to the subject, contributing to the artistic and professional development and interpretative awareness of young musicians.
Public sharing of the results of the preparation takes place through numerous concerts organized by the School, participation in which is considered an integral part of the educational path.
An annual internal competition (March/April) awards scholarships to the most deserving students.
The postgraduate course in baroque performance practice consists of practical lessons in instrument, voice, and conducting, ensemble music lessons, and theoretical lessons in baroque performance practice focusing on topics such as ornamentation, notational conventions, temperaments, organology, etc.
Ensemble music and theory lessons — in which sources are read, analyzed, and discussed — are taught in rotation by all course teachers, offering students a variety of approaches to baroque music.
Course activities are structured over two academic years, the first dedicated to the seventeenth century and the second to the early eighteenth century.
At the end of the postgraduate course in baroque performance practice, students will have developed a secure sensitivity to the style and performance practice of the baroque period, enabling them to independently translate the written score into musical interpretation.
The course is intended for musicians holding a pre-reform Diploma (V.O.) or a first-level AFAM diploma in the respective modern disciplines: singing for baroque singing; any higher musical study program for baroque orchestra conducting; transverse flute for baroque transverse flute; bassoon for baroque bassoon and dulcian; violin for baroque violin; cello for baroque cello; piano or organ for harpsichord; guitar for baroque guitar, baroque lute, and theorbo.
For those who do not hold this qualification, an admission examination is required.
Only for applicants who do not hold a pre-reform Diploma (V.O.) or a first-level AFAM diploma, an admission examination is required, consisting of the performance of a 20-minute program of freely chosen music, intended to demonstrate possession of an equivalent technical and musical level.
The postgraduate course in baroque performance practice concludes after two years with a final examination, consisting of the performance of pieces from both the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, an ex tempore ornamentation test, and an oral examination on the subjects covered in the theoretical lessons.
Download the detailed examination program here.
In order to sit the examination, participation in at least 80% of the lessons is required.
Upon successful completion of the examination, the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole will issue a certificate.
young musicians
25 October 2025
Only for applicants who do not hold a pre-reform Diploma (V.O.) or a first-level AFAM diploma in the respective modern disciplines, an admission examination is required, during which the candidate must demonstrate possession of an equivalent technical and musical level by performing a program of their choice with a maximum duration of 20 minutes. 7 November at 11:00 a.m.
Two monthly meetings on Fridays, from November to June. The course is structured around instrument / conducting / voice lessons, ensemble music lessons, and theoretical and historical teaching in parallel tracks.
November 2025: 7, 21
December 2025: 12, 19
January 2026: 13, 23, 30
February 2026: 20
March 2026: 13, 27
April 2026: 17, 24
Subsequent dates to be defined
Annual individual enrollment fee for the course (non-refundable, payable at the time of application) and also valid as an auditor fee: €130.
Annual individual attendance fee, to be paid in a single installment by 10 November or in monthly installments by bank direct debit/credit card with a 5% surcharge: €1,300.