Voices of Mercatello – Singing and Language Residency
WHEN: 21 – 31 August, 2026
WHERE: Mercatello sul Metauro, La Marche, Italy
COST: From €2450 Early Bird Book Now
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Details
Voices of Mercatello – Singing & Language Residency
Location: Mercatello sul Metauro, Le Marche, Italy
Duration: 10 days
Partners: The Create Escape, Luisa Donati, Maestro Guerrino Parri & Comune Mercatello sul Metauro
Overview
Immerse yourself in Italian musical culture with a 10-day singing residency led by Maestro Guerrino Parri. Daily sessions focus on Italian folk and choral repertoire and will be conducted primarily in Italian, offering participants an authentic and inspiring learning experience.
A gentle language component is integrated throughout the program, and participants are encouraged to learn some basic Italian — especially musical vocabulary — before arrival to enhance confidence and enjoyment.
Highlights
- Daily choral workshops with Maestro Parri (delivered mostly in Italian)
- Learn key Italian musical phrases + support locals with English exchange
- Optional creative block for arranging or songwriting
- Unhurried creative time for singers, choir directors, arrangers, and musicians to explore their own musical ideas, with opportunities to share works-in-progress in a supportive group environment
- Pop-up singing in historic spaces
- Final community concert in Mercatello
- Deep immersion into village culture
Who It’s For
Singers of all levels who want to grow musically while experiencing the warmth, language, and artistry of Italian village life.
The residency is also ideal for choir directors, songwriters, arrangers, and musicians who wish to spend time developing new material — though this is entirely optional and not essential for participation.
Language Note
You do not need to be fluent in Italian, but a little preparation goes a long way. We will provide a short list of recommended Italian words and phrases related to singing, music, and rehearsal etiquette to study before the residency begins.
Accommodation – A Taste of Village Life
Participants stay in a selection of charming apartments, villas, and the historic Palazzo Ducale in Mercatello sul Metauro. All accommodation is within a one-minute walk of the piazza, cafés, and rehearsal spaces.
Rooms vary across the properties and are allocated on a first-in, first-served basis. Options include double, twin, and a limited number of single rooms. Single rooms attract a €550 supplement for the 10-day residency.
Maestro Guerrino Parri
Maestro Guerrino Parri is a respected choir director, educator, and cultural leader from Mercatello sul Metauro in Italy’s Le Marche region. As director of the Coro Polifonico Icense, he has shaped the town’s musical identity for many years, guiding singers with a blend of passion, precision, and humour.
He also serves as the Artistic Director of the village’s renowned Musica e Musica Festival, attracting artists and ensembles to Mercatello each summer. His leadership has helped establish the village as a vibrant centre for choral and classical music.
Guerrino’s deep knowledge of Italian folk, classical, and sacred repertoire informs his joyful, challenging, and inspiring workshops. His warm teaching style creates space for singers of all levels to grow musically while connecting with Italian vocal tradition.
As lead maestro for the Voices of Mercatello residency, he brings exceptional musical insight and a profound connection to the community, culture, and artistic heartbeat of the village.
Musical Repertoire
Under Maestro Parri’s direction, participants explore a rich and varied repertoire drawn from Italy’s folk and choral traditions. The program typically includes:
- Italian folk songs arranged for group singing
- Renaissance and early polyphony from Italy’s deep choral heritage
- Modern works by contemporary Italian composers
- Festival repertoire connected to Mercatello’s Musica e Musica celebrations
- Occasional sacred or liturgical pieces chosen for their beauty and resonance
Repertoire is selected to suit a range of skill levels, building confidence with Italian pronunciation, phrasing, and stylistic nuance while immersing singers in the traditions of the region.
Testimonials
"Rich and deeply restorative, fun and inspiring." - Shelley Kenigsberg