Meet the Faculty

Francesco Izzo - Opera Studio Director - Opera Coach

Francesco Izzo, Professor at the University of Southampton and Director of the Accademia Verdiana di Parma, is Academic Director of the Opera Studio. He will provide individual musical coaching to each participant, helping singers refine style, interpretation, and musical preparation. An internationally respected specialist in Italian opera, he brings exceptional insight, precision, and dramatic understanding to the development of each young artist.

Alberto Cubero - Conductor

Alberto Cubero, founder of Córdoba Opera Lab, is an internationally active conductor and the Music Director of the stage productions at CIOS. He teaches singers how to work with a conductor, leads the training of the conducting students, and coaches ensemble numbers with a strong focus on coordination, style, and theatrical timing. He also conducts the final performances, bringing to the Opera Studio the experience of a musician who has worked in major Spanish opera institutions

Aquiles Machado - Tenor

Aquiles Machado is one of the most distinguished tenors of his generation, with an international career that has taken him to leading opera houses including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Teatro Real, and Arena di Verona. A pupil of Alfredo Kraus, he brings exceptional artistic experience to CIOS as Professor of Vocal Technique, working with singers on vocal foundation, technical control, projection, and stylistic confidence, helping each participant build a healthier, freer, and more expressive instrument.

Guillermo Amaya - Stage director

Guillermo Amaya is Stage Movement Professor at CIOS and will lead the scenic work of the Opera Studio. An experienced stage director, he has worked in opera and music theatre in Spain and has served as Oberspielleiter in German theatre. His recent work includes productions such as Lohengrin at Ópera de Oviedo. At CIOS, he will help singers develop physical expression, stage awareness, dramatic intention, and a confident relationship between movement, music, and character.

Claudia Zucconi - Pianist

Claudia Zucconi is the collaborative pianist of CIOS and will be available to the singers throughout the Opera Studio, both in individual work sessions and in rehearsals with the conducting faculty. A specialist in vocal repertoire and opera coaching, she is associated with Teatro Regio di Parma and serves as principal collaborative pianist of Accademia Verdiana. Her work offers students expert musical support, stylistic precision, and the flexibility required for intensive rehearsal and performance preparation.

Miguel Galdón - Cultural Manager

Miguel Galdón is Deputy Director of Teatro de la Zarzuela and a cultural manager and musician with extensive experience in artistic leadership, communication, and project development. At CIOS, he will lead a professional career session focused on helping young singers understand today’s operatic industry, offering practical guidance on artistic development, professional strategy, and the challenges of building a sustainable career in music.

Víctor Sánchez Sánchez is a musicologist and Professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where he teaches music history, opera, and musical theatre. At CIOS, he will give a lecture on Le nozze di Figaro, offering students deeper insight into Mozart’s dramatic language, historical context, and the relationship between music, character, and theatrical structure. His academic work brings intellectual depth and stylistic perspective to the training of young singers.

Víctor Sánchez - Musicologist