“I urge everyone remotely interested in bel canto to embrace this book and dive in!” – Sir Mark Elder, conductor The Melofonetica Method™ is a transformative approach to Italian diction in opera and classical music, based on the phonetics of sung Italian. The product of over a decade of research and coaching, and with proven results on high profile productions and recordings, the Melofonetica Method helps singers of all levels and language backgrounds to: Get a clear vision of the building blocks of excellent sung Italian - Cut through complexities to rapidly achieve incisive, idiomatic sung Italian diction - Enhance vocal quality and breath support through the correct use of consonants - Strengthen dramatic expression and deliver a convincing performance - Sing in Italian with greater command, confidence and ease This book provides a structured approach to teaching and learning Italian lyric diction and will be an invaluable resource for singers, coaches, accompanists, conductors and directors. It includes: 180+ notation examples , 120 vocalising exercises , 4 transcribed arias, access to 340+ audio recordings and fascinating insight into the evolution of Italian as a language built to be sung. “It’s absolutely wonderful to have the Melofonetica Method to work with.” – Lise Davidsen, soprano “Invaluable for all singers looking to achieve an authentic Italian sound.” – Ramón Vargas, tenor “Matteo’s method of coaching creates fantastic energy and expression.” – Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor “The Melofonetica Method is clear, concise and consistent – and it works wonders.” – Philip White, Head of Opera, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland About the author Matteo Dalle Fratte is a leading Italian language coach, musicologist and tenor who has been conducting research into the phonetics of sung Italian since 2009. He coaches at world-renowned UK opera companies, conservatoires and record labels including the Royal Opera House , Royal College of Music , National Opera Studio , Guildhall School of Music & Drama , Royal Conservatoire of Scotland , Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Universal Music . "I urge everyone remotely interested in bel canto to embrace it and dive in!" - Sir Mark Elder, conductor "It's absolutely wonderful to have the Melofonetica Method to work with." - Lise Davidsen, soprano "Matteo's method of coaching creates fantastic energy and expression." - Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor "Invaluable for all singers looking to achieve an authentic Italian sound." - Ramón Vargas, tenor "The Melofonetica Method is clear, concise and consistent - and it works wonders." - Philip White, Head of Opera, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Dr. Matteo Dalle Fratte is an Italian language coach, musicologist and tenor. He studied singing in Italy with Paolo Badoer, a pupil of Gilda Dalla Rizza, Puccini's favourite soprano. Since 2009, Matteo has conducted extensiveresearch into sung Italian diction, including a research fellowship in Italian phonetics for opera at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (GSMD) in London. He founded Melofonetica in 2014 to provide training in sung Italian and is Artistic Director of Melofonetica's Veneto Opera Summer School and Arte Lirica Festival in Italy.Matteo teaches at UK conservatoires including the Royal College of Music, GSMD, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and Morley College, and on the Global Talent Programme at the National Opera Studio and Jette Parker Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.Matteo also coaches for the UK's leading opera companies and record labels including the Royal Opera House, Opera North, Welsh National Opera, Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras, Grange Park Opera, Opera Rara, The English Concert, The Mozartists, Nevill Holt Opera, The Grange Festival and Universal Music.His musicological work includes publishing Giovanni Lunardi: un tenore drammatico fra Tamagno e Caruso in 2004 and Il Teatro Sociale di Bassano in 2005. He has collaborated with the Fondazione Monteverdi on critical editions of Monteverdi and Bellini operas and previously worked as a music critic for Rassegna Melodrammatica and Gazzettino in Italy.Matteo achieved a degree in Italian Literature and Musicology with distinction from the University of Padua in 2003, with a thesis on Gilda Dalla Rizza and Giacomo Puccini, and a master's degree in Music in Performance from GSMD in 2009. Sir Mark Elder has been Music Director of the Hallé since September 2000, and became Principal Guest Conductor of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2022. He was Music Director of English National Opera (1979-1993), Principal Guest Conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (1992 - 1995) and Music Director of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, USA (1989 - 1994). He has held positions as Principal Guest Conductor of