Elena Servi-Burgess (1936 - 2014), Italian language and diction coach, gave a very interesting lecture titled “Cantare in Buon Italiano: Teaching Italian Diction in an Opera House.” Servi-Burgess shared the life experience that prepared her to be the Italian coach, for many years, with the San Francisco Opera where she’s instructed artists, including “divas,” Marilyn Horne and Beverly Sills. Servi-Burgess also shares her expertise as Italian language trainer for the young singers in the Merola program which is dedicated to seeking out the finest young opera talent and helping them develop into professional artists of the highest caliber. (2011)