MY TRAINING MOBILITY IN TURIN: Milica Đelić

Milica Đelić
University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Music

Erasmus+ Mobility for Training at:

Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Turin

Following the successful collaboration between the Faculty of Music in Belgrade and the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Turin, I had the opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ Staff Training Mobility Program from April 7 to 11, 2025. 

The Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory, in addition to being architecturally beautiful and historically significant, is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Italy, with a rich network of international partnerships. I was a guest at the Department of Canto e Teatro Musicale, hosted by Professor Vito Maggiolino, a collaborative pianist working with voice students and a professor in the course for chamber music and piano accompanists. 

At the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, I teach Italian through the lens of opera librettos and poetic language (e.g., arie antiche), so working directly with voice students of various nationalities (Italian, Chinese, Russian, Korean) was of immense value to me. I had the chance to deliver a series of lectures as part of Professor Maggiolino’s classes and, at the same time, enrich my knowledge of vocal repertoire and refine my teaching methods. 

Due to the nature of the subject I teach, my mobility combined both training and teaching activities. The experience of working with international students, both native and non-native speakers of Italian, was particularly inspiring. It encouraged a more analytical and linguistically sensitive approach to the interpretation of sung texts—benefiting not only the students but also myself as an educator. 

Understanding the poetic and linguistic nuances of sung texts is essential for meaningful vocal interpretation—an idea that resonated strongly with the students during our work together. 

The students showed remarkable interest in the didactic materials focused on the linguistic analysis of vocal literature and in interpreting operatic content. This exchange opened possibilities for future collaborative projects between our institutions—projects that would merge the musical and linguistic fields. 

We have already initiated discussions about potential future collaborations that would involve joint workshops or courses, bringing together music and language education in an interdisciplinary framework. 

My stay at such a prestigious institution left a profound impression on me. My host, along with his colleagues and the Director of the Conservatory, Francesco Pennarola, offered me warm hospitality. They introduced me to their workspaces, the Instrument Gallery (which reflects the history of both the institution and the city of Turin), and their unique concert hall. I had the honor of attending a rehearsal of the Conservatory’s symphonic orchestra and one of the concerts in their I mercoledì al Conservatorio series. 

This wonderful Erasmus experience was further enriched by my stay in the beautiful city of Turin, where I had the chance to visit significant historical sites, museums, and the prestigious opera house, Teatro Regio di Torino. Savoring the traditional Il Bicerin in a historic café—where the spirit of the Italian Risorgimento still lingers—was a uniquely enriching cultural experience. 

I return from Turin filled with inspiration, new ideas, and a renewed sense of connection between language and music—an experience I will carry with me in my future teaching.