Interdisciplinary workshop explores translation as a creative practice
29 April 2026
Collaborating with professional practitioners, students develop and refine singable translations of vocal music in real time.
The Languages of Music: An Interdisciplinary Creative Workshop, led by Dr Cristina Marinetti and Professor Monika Hennemann under the auspices of CIRO, Cardiff University’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Opera and Drama, brought together students from Cardiff University’s MA in Translation Studies and students of music.
The session invited students to see translation as an active, creative practice that moves beyond the written word. Working in mixed groups, translators, singers and piano accompanists developed singable translations of vocal pieces, experimenting with the conjunctions of phrasing, breathing, sound and meaning - their translations sung and tested in real time.
The workshop drew on a wide range of languages including Italian, French, Russian, Chinese, Welsh, English, and German - showing how translation can enrich and illuminate both language and music.
“What I learned from the workshop was that the difficulty level of translating really depends on the languages involved - German to English is fine, Chinese to English is much harder! It also gave me a deeper understanding of how languages work on a phonetic level, and also that language and music, especially melody, are incredibly interwoven.”
Dr Cristina Marinetti said: “Workshops like this remind me why I love translating: at its best, it’s a never-ending journey of discovery where different creativities come together. There’s something especially powerful about being present in a shared space, creating and experimenting together.”
A highlight of the event was the chance for students to collaborate with celebrated professional practitioners. Guest contributors included Alessandra Palidda (Singer and Musicologist, University of Manchester), Benjamin Davis (Opera Director and Librettist), Christopher Cowell (Translator, English National Opera), Elin Jones (Concert Manager and former Welsh National Opera surtitler), as well as Catherine Milledge and Ye Di (Piano Coaches and Accompanists), who happily shared their expertise.
“It was very interesting to hear an overview from the translators about the specific problems with translating a libretto as opposed to a piece of prose designed to be read, not sung. And then working with Miriam, there were nuances that had to be taken into consideration to keep the musical sense of my song when translated from English into German.”
Reflecting on the event, Professor Monika Hennemann said: “Music is a universal language, but with many dialects. Hearing a piece of vocal music blossom into different colours when translated into another language is an inspiring experience.”
From August 2026, translation and music programmes will be part of the new School of Global Humanities, broadening and strengthening existing interdisciplinary collaborations and providing the space for new and untapped connections.
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Professor Monika Hennemann
Professor of Music/International Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences