About the ROLE project

ROLE - Reimagining Opera Learning & Education is structured around the following two main actions:

The digitisation of a collection of 18th-century opera manuscripts
The production of a film-opera based on Mozart's Così fan tutte

Theses two components converge in a shared aim: to preserve and revitalise musical heritage. On the one hand, the digitisation of historic manuscripts enhances access to and usability of invaluable materials that document the history of opera and musical production between the 18th and 19th centuries. On the other hand, the film-opera offers an innovative means of reinterpreting operatic repertoire, exploring new artistic languages and methods of dissemination.

Together, these two strands form a bridge between past and future. Both initiatives are united by a common goal, to bring music closer to a broader international audience, and demonstrate how tradition can be enriched through contemporary technologies and emerging forms of communication.

The Library of the Conservatorio Statale di Musica Cesare Pollini in Padua houses a valuable collection of musical manuscripts from the archive of the historic Teatro Nuovo in Padua, which was donated to the conservatoire in 1936. These materials document the theatre’s musical activities and productions from 1775 to 1840.

The collection includes works by numerous composers, including Paisiello, Rossini, Meyerbeer, Mysliveček, Farinelli, Bianchi, and many others. In total, the archive contains 97 operatic works staged during that period, comprising both full scores and sets of orchestral parts.

Così fan tutte

The film-opera will feature selected scenes from Così fan tutte, integrated with original dialogue sections to create a cohesive cinematic narrative. The story follows four students participating in a cooperative project to stage Così fan tutte. Throughout the production, romantic dynamics emerge, mirroring the love intrigues of Mozart’s opera.

The creation of a film-opera presents a unique opportunity for voice and acting students, offering an experience that extends beyond traditional stage productions. The limited availability of theatres and the high costs associated with live opera performances often pose challenges for Higher Education (HE) institutions. Audiovisual production, by contrast, broadens creative possibilities, enabling students to engage with a different and more accessible medium.

Producing opera in a cinematic format remains a largely underexplored approach within academic contexts, particularly in institutions dedicated to music. This project has the potential to open new avenues for the dissemination of opera, transforming it into a more accessible art form and attracting a wider, more diverse audience. Publishing the film online will ensure global reach, making the performance available to anyone, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.