Osimo,Italy - In a quiet Italian town,a unique vocal rehabilitation “workshop” is drawing opera singers from around the world,including those whose careers have been derailed by vocal damage. Located in the historic Study-Paglin of Osimo, the center boasts a 100% success rate in restoring voices-often those harmed by surgical interventions-through a method emphasizing natural technique and self-awareness.
The discreet operation, run by vocal coach Vittorio Paglin, has aided nearly 50 singers, some of them internationally renowned, though identities are closely guarded due to the stigma surrounding vocal lesions. Paglin’s approach directly challenges the reliance on surgery, which he describes as a “perverse machinery” that can exacerbate the problem. The center’s growing prominence comes as more artists openly discuss the pressures and potential pitfalls of the competitive opera world, and seek alternatives to invasive procedures.
The workshop’s methods focus on stripping away harmful techniques and rediscovering the singer’s natural vocal ability.”Instead of adding more weight to the backpack, [we] empty it of stones to show that the solution is always within oneself,” Paglin states. He argues that “the best technique is the absence of technique.”
Spanish soprano Raquel Andueza and contractor Nacho Castellanos have publicly acknowledged the effectiveness of Paglin’s method, utilizing both group seminars and online follow-up sessions. In 2012, Paglin published a critique of vocal surgeries, warning of a cycle where procedures damage voices, necessitating further intervention. He believes vocal rehabilitation offers “many more guarantees” than surgical repair. The center’s work highlights a growing movement within the opera community towards preventative vocal health and holistic recovery.
