If you have ever wondered how opera singers prepare for their performances on stage, Teatru Manoel's upcoming masterclasses with legendary soprano Mariella Devia might be the perfect opportunity to witness the process. Masterclasses are not normally open to the general public and tend to be intimate affairs between experts in a particular field and a handful of lucky active participants, but Devia's masterclasses will be open to all who wish to attend.

On 10 February, Devia will be teaching two masterclasses focussing on Rossini's operas, particularly Otello. Rossini's Otello will, in fact, be performed at Teatru Manoel in March and some of the cast of this production will be participating in the first of the two masterclasses. The second masterclass will provide active participants with the opportunity to be taught by Devia herself.

Mariella Devia's name is synonymous with bel canto, a style of operatic singing made famous by the work of iconic composers like Bellini and Donizetti, and the performances of Maria Callas, among others. Devia herself has performed on the world's most prestigious stages and has garnered the respect of both critics and opera lovers with her impeccable technique and down-to-earth attitude.

Her last performance on stage was in 2018 at Venice's Teatro La Fenice, which is the home of bel canto opera. It is on that same stage that many operas from that period were performed for the first time. Devia was 70 when she retired from opera, but she has by no means retired from the world of music. She is still very active, performing in concerts and recitals, and teaching all that she has learned during her long and remarkable career.

Of the masterclass she will be giving at Teatru Manoel, Devia says that although active participants may be of various levels of preparation, the most important thing is that they are willing to learn and take instruction. Active participants will have the honour of getting personal feedback from Devia herself, and members of the general public who will attend will get an exclusive glimpse at the work that goes on behind the scenes when opera singers are studying for particular roles.

"Bringing over a superstar like Ms Devia is part of our ongoing programme to incorporate masterclasses in various projects, and to raise the local bar in order to achieve artistic excellence," says Teatru Manoel artistic director Kenneth Zammit Tabona. "Indeed, following Ms Devia, super virtuoso Charlie Siem will be giving a masterclass in violin playing in May."

The Mariella Devia Masterclasses will be held at Teatru Manoel on 10 February. The first masterclass will take place between 11am and 1.30pm and will focus on arias from Rossini's Otello with the participation of singers from Teatru Manoel's upcoming Otello production.

The second masterclass will take place between 6.30pm and 9pm and will cover Rossini's work in general with the participation of 10 opera singers chosen through a selection process.

The general public is invited to attend both masterclasses. Tickets are now available at €10.