Proudly designed and organized by the Athens Baroque Festival Education, the 1st International Vocal Retreat for Baroque Lovers is a heart-opening, transformative and irresistibly in-demand retreat, empowering your musicality and connectivity within a vocal ensemble!
We are now calling out singers, instrumentalists, and everyone who enjoys delving into music education to join this fascinating circle of voices, celebrating the pure joy of singing and the love for Baroque music.
This is a unique opportunity for you to free your voice, liberate your creative expression, offer yourself time and space to clear your mind and empower your movement awareness. Enjoy your freely flowing breath while being in nature and at one of the most majestic rural places of the Mediterranean south: Vamos village in Crete, Greece.
The 1st International Vocal Retreat for Baroque Lovers is ideal for you if:
● you are a Baroque Lover who feels comfortably singing from a music score
● you are an instrumentalist who enjoys singing
● you cherish the opportunity to live close to nature
● you feel the need to liberate the sensitivity and the power of your voice
● you would like to explore the impact of the Feldenkrais Method on your vocal expression
● you appreciate the rural environment of the Mediterranean
● you would like to unlock some mysteries of Baroque vocal music
● you feel the need to connect your voice with other voices in an ensemble
About Jan van Elsacker
Our guest instructor for the 1st International Vocal Retreat for Baroque Lover is the Belgian tenor Jan van Elsacker, an exceptional performer, renowned for his subtle vocal expressivity, and his refined sensitivity, marvelously suited to Italian monody of the early seventeenth century. Jan is a voice and ensemble teacher at the Early Music Department of the Musikhochschule Trossinger, Germany, since 2010.
Jan won first prizes for singing and piano at the Royal Flemish Conservatory in Antwerp. Between 1987 and 1991, he sang with ensembles including Collegium Vocale and La Capelle Royale (direction: Philippe Herreweghe), La Petite Bande (direction: Gustav Leaonhardt and Sigiswald Kuyken) and Anima Eterna (direction: Jos van Immerseel). Jan also worked with the Currende Consort (Erik van Nevel), with which he has made several radio and television recordings and CD’s (in the “Flemish Polyphony” series).
Outside Belgium, Jan appears regularly with Le Poème Harmonique (Vincent Dumestre), L’ Arpeggiata (Christina Pluhar), La Fenice (Jean Tubery), Concerto Palatino (Bruce Dickey) and Weser Renaissance (Manfred Cordes). In 1996 he was a prizewinner at the international competition Musica Antiqua Bruges. In 2023 he was the central figure at the Music Antiqua Festival of Bruges, where in addition to the Combattimento di Tacredi e Clorida (Claudio Monteverdi) he gave a Schumann recital with the pianist Claire Chevallier. In January 1008 he made his deput as Orfeo (Claudio Monteverdi) in the National Opera House of Poland with the ensemble La Fenice (direction: Jean Tubery). Jan has also visited all the important early music festivals such as the Festival of Flanders, the Utrecht Early Music Festival, the Festival de la Chaise-Dieu, the Festival Baroque de Pontoise and many others.
About Olia Lydaki
Olia Lydaki studied in France as dancer, choreographer and classical and modern dance teacher. Her collaboration with the prominent Japanere Butoh dancer and choreographer Carlotta Ikeda was decisive for her professional career. With Carlotta, a new field of exploration arised for Olia, and a new perception of movement in relation to space and time, both creatively as well as during the interpretative process.
Olia is also a certified Feldenkrais Method practitioner, upon which she guides dancers and movers of all leves to bring awareness and subtlety in the body movement and its individual’s somatic functionality, aiming to support the skills and to expand all the movement options.
Olia Lydaki lives in Heraklion, Crete, where she manages the Olia Lydaki Feldenkrais Method and Movement Services centre, hosting and promoting educational programmes and workshops which promote the cultivation, the empowerment and the further growth of human expression in movement, mental health, parenting, voice, singing, listening awareness both for children and adults. Olia leads and runs Butoh movement and dance workshops, as well as Feldenkrais Method sessions for all movers.
Olia is also a certified Feldenkrais Method practitioner, upon which she guides dancers and movers of all leves to bring awareness and subtlety in the body movement and its individual’s somatic functionality, aiming to support the skills and to expand all the movement options.
Olia Lydaki lives in Heraklion, Crete, where she manages the Olia Lydaki Feldenkrais Method and Movement Services centre, hosting and promoting educational programmes and workshops which promote the cultivation, the empowerment and the further growth of human expression in movement, mental health, parenting, voice, singing, listening awareness both for children and adults. Olia leads and runs Butoh movement and dance workshops, as well as Feldenkrais Method sessions for all movers.
About Giorgos Kakitsis
George Kakitsis was born in Athens and entered the world of music from a very young age, thanks to his grandfather who was also a musician and choir conductor. He completed his first degree in classical guitar in Greece and immediately afterwards left to continue his studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Brussels. During his time as a guitar student in Brussels, he felt a strong attraction to the work of ensembles and chamber music. He was drawn both by the social aspect of working and communicating with other musicians and by the challenge of covering different roles and adapting to each different ensemble he played with. At the same time, he discovered the Early Music department of KCB and came into contact with a multitude of people who had a significant impact on his journey, both in terms of how the rich world of historically informed performance operated, and the significant role of the night organ in this repertoire.
At the end of his guitar degree, he decided to change careers and focus on Early Music, continuing to learn theorbo, the principles of basso continuo, until finally chamber music and ensemble work became his main focus. He collaborates with the ensembles Merum Ensemble, Les Alchimistes, Nuove Barocche Ensemble. He has appeared at the Apuliantiqu Festival and the Athens Baroque Festival.
He was drawn both by the social aspect of working and communicating with other musicians and by the challenge of covering different roles and adapting to each different ensemble he played with. At the same time, he discovered the Early Music department of KCB and came into contact with a multitude of people who had a significant impact on his journey, both in terms of how the rich world of historically informed performance operated and the significant role of the night organ in this repertoire.
At the end of his guitar degree, he decided to change careers and focus on Early Music, continuing to learn theorbo, the principles of basso continuo, until finally chamber music and ensemble work became his main focus. He collaborates with the ensembles Merum Ensemble, Les Alchimistes, and Nuove Barocche Ensemble. He has appeared at the Apuliantiqu Festival and the Athens Baroque Festival.
George will play the basso continuo, accompanying our vocal ensemble.
About Vamos village in Crete, Greece
Vamos is a village of Apokoronas in the prefecture of Chania, built at the foothills of the White Mountains. It is a very interesting settlement and was proposed by the Ministry of Environment to be designated as a traditional one. Vamos is located 25 km from the beautiful city of Chania. The city of Rethymno is only 35 km away, and the distance between the capital city of Crete, Heraklion, and Fabrica Farm & Houses is about 112 km. The distance from the Airport of Chania El. Venizelos is 35km and 9km to the sea.
About the hotel
Fabrica Farm & Houses is surrounded by centuries-old olive trees, oak trees, fruit trees, flowers and various aromatic plants. There is a stone-built amphitheater where various events and agritourism activities are organized. The farm is inhabited by domestic animals such as hens, turkeys, guinea fowls, lambs, and rabbits where they maintain the harmonious balance in the cycle of nature. Seasonal vegetables are grown in the vegetable garden using sustainable cultivation methods (permaculture).
Location
Programme
Day 1
Arrival and Orientation
● Arrival at the retreat venue, Fabrica Farm & Houses
● 17:00 _ Welcome and Orientation session (meeting the participants and the instructors)
● 17:30 _ An introduction to the Feldenkrais Method with Olia Lydaki
● 19:30 _ Singing in an ensemble with Jan van Elsacker
● 21:30 _ Breathing & Relaxation session to unwind from travel, followed by a group dinner
Day 2
Vocal Technique Workshops and Feldenkrais Method Sessions
● Breakfast
● 10:00 _ Group vocal warm-up and ensemble singing with Jan van Elsacker
● 12:00 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 14:00-17:00 _ Lunch and free time for resting, rehearsals, exploration of the village or an early evening walk around the farm
● 17:30 _ Voice & Ensemble with Jan van Elsacker
● 19:30 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 21:30 _ Cooking together: Dinner outdoors at the farm
Day 3
Movement Awareness & Vocal Exploration
● Breakfast
● 10:00 _ Group vocal warm-up and ensemble singing with Jan van Elsacker
● 12:00 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 14:00-17:00 _ Lunch and free time for resting, rehearsals, exploration of the village, or an early evening walk around the farm
● 17:30 _ Voice & Ensemble with Jan van Elsacker: outdoors, integrating nature into vocal exercises and repertoire exploration
● 19:30 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 21:30 _ Dinner at the village
Day 4
The Baroque Vocal Ensemble
● Breakfast
● 10:00 _ Group vocal warm-up and ensemble singing with Jan van Elsacker
● 12:00 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 14:00-17:00 _ Lunch and free time for resting, rehearsals, exploration of the village or an early evening walk around the farm
● 17:30 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 19:30 _ Voice & Ensemble with Jan van Elsacker: outdoors, integrating nature into vocal exercises and repertoire exploration
● 21:30 _ Evening concert showcasing our selected vocal works, followed by feedback and celebration
● 22:30 _ Cooking together: Dinner outdoors at the farm
Day 5
Reflection and Farewell
● Breakfast
● 10:00 _ Reflection session on personal vocal growth and retreat experience
● 11:00 _ Feldenkrais Method group sessions with Olia Lydaki
● 12:00 _ Voice & Ensemble with Jan van Elsacker
● 14:00 _ Farewell and departure
Language: English, Greek
*As we approach the retreat dates, please be aware that adjustments may be made to the programme.
Pricing
705€ / per person
Included
● Accommodation in a single-bed room with breakfast
● 12+ hours of daily in-depth Voice and Ensemble Masterclasses with the awarded tenor Jan van Elsacker
● 12+ hours of daily Feldenkrais Method Sessions with the renowned Butoh dancer and movement instructor Olia Lydaki
● All Fees
Early Bird Tuition: 665€ by June 4th, 2024
610€ / per person
Included
● Accommodation in a two-single-beds room with breakfast
● 12+ hours of daily in-depth Voice and Ensemble Masterclasses with the awarded tenor Jan van Elsacker
● 12+ hours of daily Feldenkrais Method Sessions with the renowned Butoh dancer and movement instructor Olia Lydaki
● All Fees
Early Bird Tuition: 565€ by June 4th, 2024
450€ / per person
Included
● 12+ hours of daily in-depth Voice and Ensemble Masterclasses with the awarded tenor Jan van Elsacker
● 12+ hours of daily Feldenkrais Method Sessions with the renowned Butoh dancer and movement instructor Olia Lydaki
● All Fees
Not Included
● Accommodation
Early Bird Tuition: 410€ by June 4th, 2024
More Info
Languages
English, Greek
Flexible payment plan
Available, contact us at: cledutouverte@gmail.com
Reservation Confirmation
The reservations are valid with the deposit of 30% of the total amount and with an e-mail of a copy of the bank transaction.
Cancellation Policy
The deposit amount is non-refundable. In case you wish to cancel your participation one month or less before the start of the retreat, cancellation fees apply in full and you will be charged 100% of the amount.
Dietary Needs
If you have any specific dietary requirement/allergy, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate you in the best possible way.
Transportation
* All participants of the retreat are offered a 40% discount on all ferry tickets of ANEK on the route from Piraeus to Chania and from Chania to Piraeus for all routes booked from 01.09.2024 to 09.09.2024.
** For all the Baroque Lovers who will arrive at the port of Chania, there may be a scheduled transfer offered to transport them from the port to the retreat venue.
Contact us for more information at: cledutouverte@gmail.com
The 1st International Vocal Retreat for Baroque Lovers is produced by Cle d’ Ut Ouverte © 2024.
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