Translation is a type of activity seldom proposed by modern teaching materials which emphasize communicative methods. Yet the needs of opera singers studying Italian as a foreign language differ completely from those of students’ studying Italian for other purposes and must indeed include translation. The process of teaching how to translate opera is influenced by several factors; both linguistic and extralinguistic aspects, such as the quality of used scores or musical texts, specific vocabulary, poetic word order, as well as the specific curriculum and the accessibility of didactic tools, influence the process. The aim of this paper is to summarize the research which has been conducted by the author with the aim of finding out the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional and ICT tools for musical text translation. Comparing both types of tools, examples of their use are given. In accordance with the hypothesis, some of the tools are found to be completely unsuitable for such specific translations. Although it is not obvious at first, the results of this research suggest that in order to become an autonomous user of any kind of tool it is essential to learn how to use it without regard to the type of tool. These results are of significance for teachers and students alike. Finally, the paper suggests that further research into tools used for musical text translation is needed.

translation, traditional tools, ICT tools, teaching process, opera singers, musical texts