Arturo Melocchi Academy: The Home of Italian Old School Operatic Singing

Master the legendary vocal technique that trained some of opera’s greatest voices, passed down through a direct lineage from Arturo Melocchi

The Melocchi method

Our Academy proudly carries forward the vocal method pioneered by Arturo Melocchi (1879–1960) — a technique later passed down to Marcello del Monaco (1919–1984), brother of the legendary tenor Mario del Monaco.

Arturo Melocchi developed a vocal training system grounded in physiological principles, enabling singers to unlock the full power and potential of their voices. His method employs precise exercises that strengthen and coordinate the laryngeal muscles. When fully developed, the voice gains volume, strength, clarity, and roundness — qualities that defined the great operatic voices of the twentieth century.

The success of this approach is evident in the remarkable artists it shaped: Mario del Monaco, Franco Corelli, Gianfranco Cecchele, Gastone Limarilli, Giuseppe Giacomini, Nicola Martinucci, Silvano Carroli, and many others.

At the Arturo Melocchi Academy, we remain dedicated to preserving and transmitting this authentic method in its purest form, ensuring that its legacy continues to inspire and empower future generations of singers.

Who This is For?

You’ve invested years in formal education — conservatory, university, private lessons — but something still isn’t working. Or maybe you’ve studied with countless teachers over decades, yet something essential has never clicked.

• The passaggio feels like a fight every time.

• High notes are unreliable, thin, or strained.

• You’ve received conflicting advice, and technique feels vague.

• You can sing the repertoire, but it doesn’t feel grounded or sustainable.

• You feel your voice has potential, but it lacks power and resonance.

• Teachers told you "the high notes will come" or "it’s your voice type"

Core benefits of the Method

● Expanded Vocal Range

Unlock your full range using a grounded, efficient technique rooted in tradition.

● More Powerful Voice

Develop the strength and resonance needed to carry effortlessly in the opera house.

● Homogeneity of Timbre

Achieve a consistent, rich tone across all registers—from bottom to top.

● Resolution of the Passaggio

Smooth over vocal breaks with precise exercises passed down from Arturo Melocchi.

What Students Are Saying

“Ignas completely transformed my vocal technique. Before studying with him, I was very constricted and even singing in the wrong vocal category. Through his clear, hands-on teaching and deep understanding of vocal function, I learned to build real strength, projection, and ease in the upper range. That progress ultimately allowed me to sing confidently on one of the world’s greatest stages — the Vienna State Opera.”

Simonas, bass, Austria
“The Melocchi Method has been a game changer for me. It has helped my voice reach places I always wanted it to go and given me a new sense of control and confidence. Ignas is a great pedagogue who focuses on detail and ensures a clear understanding and precise execution of this ‘old-school’ method, which continues to reveal new possibilities in my singing.”

Ruben, tenor, USA
“Lessons with Ignas have been the definitive finishing touch I was looking for. My voice has gained clarity, color, and power, and I’ve developed greater technical confidence and stage composure. I’m truly grateful that he crossed my path on my vocal development journey.”

Damian, bass-baritone, Poland
“After studying with Ignas for about a year, I’ve made tremendous progress in my vocal technique. Despite eight years of prior vocal training, I still felt technically limited until working with him. Ignas provided a concrete, logical approach that completely transformed my voice and allowed me to sing repertoire I’d never imagined possible. He helped me discover my true voice.”

Louis, tenor, USA

Before and After: The Melocchi Method in Action

Bass Student Transformation through the application of the Melocchi technique

Arturo Melocchi

Arturo Melocchi was born in 1879 in Milan. At a young age, he was accepted into the Milan Conservatory, where he studied piano from 1893 to 1898. Being gifted with a strong baritone voice, he later enrolled in the conservatory's singing program under the direction of Giuseppe Gallignani. For his final exam, Melocchi performed an aria for baritone from Meyerbeer’s Dinorah, the sixth vocalize for baritone by Gaetano Nava (Op. 24), and the aria “È ver ch’io t’ingannai” from Meyerbeer’s Fra Diavolo. He also demonstrated sight-reading skills and answered questions on vocal anatomy, pedagogy, and both classical and modern vocal literature. In 1912, Melocchi began teaching at the Conservatory of Pesaro. His career was interrupted in 1916 when he was drafted into military service during World War I. After completing his service, he resumed teaching, a vocation he would continue until 1941. Over the years, he trained many renowned singers, including his most famous student, Mario del Monaco, whom he met in 1932. In 1941, Melocchi was suspended from the conservatory due to his anti-fascist views. During this period, he spent three years teaching in Hong Kong and Shanghai. On September 7, 1947, Melocchi’s students petitioned the director of the Dante Conservatory, for his reinstatement. Their efforts were successful, and the conservatory council offered him a teaching position for the 1947/48 academic year. Melocchi resumed teaching, but only for two more years before retiring permanently.