Emma Kirkby + Florian Franke - Voice
Following an inspiring Renaissance week at the last Summer Academy, the 2026 Summer Academy will take us musically to Great Britain. The focus will be on the period between approximately 1680 and 1760 – an era full of beauty, elegance, and expressiveness – with works by composers such as Henry Purcell and George Frideric Handel. Participants in the vocal course will receive instruction from Emma Kirkby and Florian Franke, as well as the opportunity to perform together with students from the instrumental courses. During the chamber music sessions, the instrumental instructors will also provide additional artistic inspiration. Course structure: Mornings: Individual lessons alternating between Emma Kirkby and Florian Franke. Afternoons: Ensemble and chamber music work with both instructors. This ensures that all participants receive daily inspiration from both teachers. A key component of the course is the opportunity to observe each other's individual lessons. Listening and observing together is strongly encouraged, as it provides valuable insights and learning experiences and enriches the vocal development of all participants.
Content Focus: A special feature of this course is the combination of complementary teaching focuses: Emma Kirkby works on musical interpretation, style, and the crucial work with the text, while Florian Franke provides special insights into vocal technique, breath control, and body work, supporting the singers in truly "embodying" the words. This combination of stylistic expertise and technical vocal development is highly valued by many singers.
Registration and Participation: New this year is the limitation of the course to 12 singers to ensure particularly intensive and individualized support. To participate, an application with a recent audio or video recording (maximum 5 minutes) is required. Please submit this by April 15, 2026. Feedback regarding participation will be sent by May 10, 2026. We look forward to an inspiring week full of music, exchange, and artistic development!
For more information www.emmakirkby.com