Private Voice Studio
CARMELA ALTAMURA, SOPRANO
A DISTINGUISHED REPUTATION:
PRIVATE TEACHER/MASTER CLASSES FOR VOICE
“Education is about removing obstructions to light so that the self is enabled to be.”
– Carmela Altamura
Based on the Socratic vision of “know thyself,” Mrs. Altamura’s teaching encourages one to ask, to think and to explore.
Mrs. Altamura believes it takes a community to train a singer. It is a rare private teacher who seeks to work in partnership with departmental members and other individual teachers, creating a supportive team for students. Her methods marry technique to insight into the inner workings of a singer’s psyche and soul, encouraging one to ask, to think and to explore.
“Carmela Altamura is a superb instructor in the true bel canto style of singing,” legendary Metropolitan Opera soprano Licia Albanese affirms. Having collaborated with Miss Albanese in master classes – and presented many more on her own – Mrs. Altamura brings a wealth of experience to the art of teaching.
Fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time, Carmela Altamura studied at the famed Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan with Ettore Campogalliani, also a master consultant and teacher at La Scala. She later trained with Elvira de Hidalgo, Licia Albanese and Giulietta Simionato, and performed under such well-known conductors as Franco Ferraris and Vincenzo Vitale in Italy, and Umberto Vedovelli, William Hicks and Richard Woitach in the United States.
Listed in Who’s Who of American Women, Mrs. Altamura serves as a juror on numerous international voice competitions. She has performed in opera and widely as a recitalist in Italy, the Middle East and United States, and has appeared in every major concert hall in New York. In addition, she is the founder and president of the prestigious Altamura/Caruso International Voice Competition, held bi-annually in New York. Past winners of the competition are currently performing title roles in major opera houses around the world, including Teatro a La Scala and the Metropolitan Opera.
Together with her husband, Leonard, Carmela Altamura founded the Altamura Center for Arts and Cultures in upstate New York, site of the popular Cappuccino Concert Series. The Center also hosts the Summer Institute “Encounters with the Masters” residency program, where the history and tradition of bel canto are passed down in a direct line from the masters of old to Mrs. Altamura’s generation, and, in turn, to the aspiring singers of today.
What Others Have To Say:
“Carmela is a wonderful musician who is deeply dedicated to helping a new generation of singers. She shares her warmth, knowledge and musicianship.”
– Gina Levinson, faculty, diction/piano, The Juilliard School
“Winning the Altamura/Caruso Competition and traveling to Italy with Mrs. Altamura opened doors that proved to be vitally important to my career.”
– Audrey Stottler, soprano, San Francisco Opera
“Everyone who attended said it was the single best learning experience they have had. By any definition, her master class was a triumph.”
– Lewis Hardee, Professor of Music and Chairman, Theater Department, Wagner College
“Thank you for all that you have done for my career and for those of so many young artists.”
– Kim Josephson, baritone, Metropolitan Opera
“Carmela Altamura is an unparalleled teacher. Her enthusiasm and dedication sow the seeds of knowledge.”
– The Hon. Franco Mistretta, Consul General of Italy to the United States
“Carmela Altamura possesses tremendous artistic and creative energy — she is a truly special teacher.”
– Licia Albanese, soprano, Metropolitan Opera
“Dear Madame Altamura,Thank you again for all your gracious and generous help with my Lucia. Additionally your comments and guidance concerning the other singers was also very valuable to me. But most of all your utter willingness and desire to help and inspire me (us) soothes my spirit. Fondly and motivated anew.”
– Beverly Butrie
