The Performers
Sopranos
Silvana Froli: Her natural soprano voice allowed her just to learn from great singers, doing final masterclasses with Susanna Rigacci. Participating in interesting projects like an american video production with Andrea Bocelli in 1998 and a BBC television interview as the typical Puccini singer just recently. In 2002 she sang in Mozart's Requiem and was very requested as Mimi at the annual "Puccini e la sua Lucca" Festival as well as in many opera houses all over Italy and abroad. At Elba she sang in 2008 Cio-Cio-San in Madame Butterfly. Her repertoire also includes Tosca in “Tosca” and Turandot in “Turandot”.
Video: Tosca – "Vissi d'arte" – Silvana Froli
Chiara Panacci studied in Livorno, where she did her diploma at the Music Institute "P.Mascagni" with Graziano Polidori. Masterclasss with Renata Scotto, Raina Kabaivanska, Magda Olivero, Rolando Panerai, Alessandro Corbelli, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, Claudio Desideri and the german baritone Joseph Loibl. In 2003 she did the mastercourse at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. After winning several singing competitions she did her debut as Silvia in the opera “Zanetto” by P. Mascagni at the Opera House in Livorno. Chiara sang Mimi in "La Bohème", Lauretta in "Gianni Schicchi", Cio Cio San in "Madame Butterfly" and Liu in "Turandot", at the Theatre delle Erbe in Milano as well as at the International Puccini Festival in Lucca, she did also Micaëla in Bizet's "Carmen and Violetta in Verdi's "La "Traviata" at the Opera Houses in Florence, Cosenza and Bologna.
Video: Carmen - Chiara as Micaëla, "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante"
Sabrina Enrichi was born in Siena where she started her studies at the age of 15, doing her diploma in 1996 at the Conservatory “R. Franci”. 1996 to 2000 she sang at the “Teatro Regio di Torino” in important productions like La Traviata”, “Turandot”, “Lucia di Lammermoor”, Boris Godunov” under the direction of conductors as Muti, Oren, Mauceri and Gelmetti. Sang all over Italy showing a wide repertoire from Pergolesi and Rossini to Verdi and Puccini. Her operatic roles include Serpina (la Serva Padrona), Rosina (The Barber of Seville), Gilda (Rigoletto), Violetta (La Traviata), Musetta (La Bohème) and Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) among others.
Sarah Chirici was born in Livorno, where she did her diploma at the Institute "P. Mascagni", from 2004-2007 she did the Academy of the Opera House in Florence (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino). Sarah participated in many masterclasses (Mirella Freni, Ruggero Raimondi, Renato Bruson) and won several singing competitions. She performed as Queen of the Night in Mozarts "Magic Flute" at the Opera House San Carlo in Naples, Norina in Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" Nella and Lauretta in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" and as Musetta in "La Boheme", Gilda in “Rigoletto”, Violetta in Verdi’s “La Traviata” and in “Don Carlos” with Zubin Mehta in Florence.
Video: La Traviata - Sarah Chirici - "E strano....sempre libera"
Simonida Miletic was born in Belgrad, where she studied voice. After winning a scholarship to the "Mozarteum" in Salzburg she continued her studies at the "Cherubini" Conservatory in Florence, where she got her diploma with the highest honours in 1996. She did her debut in San Gimignano and performed at many music festivals all over Tuscany and worked with the Opera Houses in Florence, San Casciano and San Gimignano, the Florence Symphonietta, Orchestra Nuova Europa, Pisa Chamber Orchestra and the Opera House in Belgrad. In 2007 she finished her studies with Leonardo De Lisi in vocal chamber music. In May 2007 she gave a successful and acclaimed debut as Violetta under the direction of Alan Freiles and performed as Serpina in "La Serva Padrona", Adina in "L’Elisir d’amore”, Susanna, Cherubino in "The Marriage of Figaro”, Gilda in "Rigoletto”, Mimi in " La Bohème" and Rosalinde in “Die Fledermaus”.
Barbara Marcacci studied in Florence with M° Paride Venturi and at the Conservatorio "L. Cherubini" with M.G.Germani, G. Fabbrini and Leonardo de Lisi. Masterclasses with Gino Bechi, Claudio Desderi, Leo Nucci, Julia Hamari, Liliana Poli, and Katia Ricciarelli. Winner of several competitions ( Prima Scrittura Firenze, Voci Rossiniani e Donizettiani Pistoia and Angelica Catalani Ancona). Performed all over Italy ( Reggio Emilia, Parma, Novara and Bergamo) as Norina in "Don Pasquale", Mimi in "La Bohème", Magda in "Le Rondine" and several Verdi operas. Stable member of the ensemble of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Video: The Marriage of Figaro - Barbara Marcacci - "Porgi amor"
Isabel Barbosa was born in Esperança / Brasil, studied at the Westminster Choir College in New Jersey, with Tika Porto, Martin Kranzle, H. Jarius, Marvin Keenze, Ute Treckel and Eliane Sampaio, at the moment at the Conservatory "Luigi Cherubini" in Florence with B. Pecchioli. Sang already 2005 Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro" at the Opera in Pisa, in 2007 Wolgunde in "Rheingold" by Richard Wagner at the Teatro Comunale di Firenze.
Monica Marzini studied in Siena, where she did her diploma , masterclasses with M° Carlo Bergonzi (Accademia Chigiana). Winner of several competitions (Prima Scrittura Festival Terme Opera Barga, “Rocca delle Macie”, “Le grande Voci Toscani”). Started her carreer with “Messa da Requiem” by Paisiello, “Messa dell’Incoronazione” (Orchestra of The Mozarteum Salzburg) and “Midsummernightdream” by Mendelssohn with the Orchestra Regionale Toscana. Monica sang Mimi in “La Bohème” by G. Puccini, Micaëla in Bizet’s “Carmen Flora in Verdi’s “La Traviata” and Adele in “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss. Stable member of the ensemble of the Opera House in Florence (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino).
Francesca Caligaris studied at the Conservatory “Giacomo Puccini” in La Spezia and did her diploma in 2005. Further studies at the Conservatory “Luigi Cherubini” in Florence with Leonardo de Lisi, which she finished this year with highest honours. She did her debut as Alice in Falstaff by G. Verdi at the Teatro delle Commedie in Livorno under the direction of E. Gamba then as Mimi in Puccini’s “La Bohème” in Tolmezzo under M° Claudio Desderi and Fiordiligi in “Cosi fan tutte” by Mozart. In January 2009 again Mimi at the Teatro di Sacile, with the Philharmonic Orchestra Veneta under M° Claudio Desderi. Francesca sung in April with the Duisburg Symphony Orchestra in Germany.
Video: Cosi fan tutte - Francesca Caligaris as Fiordiligi - "Come scoglio immoto resta"
Gabriella Cecchi studied voice in Florence, where she did her diploma at the Conservatory "Luigi Cherubini" with A. Desderi. Further studies with L. Poli, P. von Schilhawski and in Munich with E. Ameling, R. Jansen and W. Barry and in Nice with D. Baldwin. As soloist she participated in several Festivals (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Biennale Venezia, Ravenna Festival, Opera Comique in Paris , Donaueschinger Musiktage in Germany and Festival in Almagro in Spain). Many of the performances under the direction of famous directors like Zubin Mehta, M. Chung, A. Curtis, S. Ozawa, R. Clemencic, P. Neumann, B. Bartoletti, G. Gavazzeni, A. Ceccato and R. Gabbiani.
Michelle Buscemi was born in Melbourne/Australia where she started her studies with Gloden Mercer, entering the Victorian College of Arts, where she got her diploma in 2005 under Anna Connolly. Participated in important masterclasses with Richard Bonynge, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, Margherita Rinaldi, Raymond Connell, Bruno de Simone, Valentino Marcellesi, Roberto Scandiuzzi and Robert Kettelson. She did her debut at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino in 2006 as Serpetta in "La finta giardiniera"by Mozart. She sang Gretel in "Hänsel und Gretel", Micaela in "Carmen", Pamina in "Die Zauberflöte" and Musetta in "La Bohème" at the Melbourne Opera. 2008 Michelle participated in productions of the Festival "Puccini e la sua Lucca" with the Baritone Mattia Campetti.
Mezzosopranos
Miria Adriani was born in Livorno and studied with Bruno Rigacci and Arnold Bosman. She did perfectioning studies with: Delfo Menicucci, Claudio Desderi and Bruno Rigacci. Debut as soloist as Suzuky in M. Butterfly by G. Puccini. Other roles that she sung: “Rigoletto” (Maddalena), “M.Butterfly” (Suzuky), “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” (Berta), “Cavalleria Rusticana” (Santuzza, Lola, Mamma Lucia), “Le Nozze di Figaro” (Cherubino), “Carmen” (Carmen, Mercedes), “Orfeo ed Euridice” (Orfeo). Miria performed at the following Opera Houses: Teatro Politeama Rossetti di Trieste, Teatro Sociale di Como, Teatro delle Celebrazioni di Bologna, Teatro Ambra Jovinelli di Roma, Teatro Puccini di Firenze, Teatro Politeama Genovese di Genova, Teatro Colosseo di Torino, Teatro Civico di La Spezi, Teatro Ventaglio Nazionale di Milano, Teatro Nuovo di Ferrara, Teatro Goldoni di Livorno, Poly Theatre Peking(China).
In November 2005 she sang for the first time Ulrica (“Un ballo in maschera”), in July 2006 Azucena (“Il Trovatore”).
Video: Carmen - Miria Adriani as Carmen - "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle"
Simonetta Masangui studied voice in Florence with Margherita Ferroni and Lidia Vuch. Masterclasses and studies in Salzburg with Iris Adami Corradetti. Debut as Maddalena in "Rigoletto" in Monterey and Mexico City, than in "Il Trovatore"and "Falstaff", "Cavalleria Rusticana"by Mascagni. Sang at the theatres in Pisa, Mantova, Ancona and Florence.
Eva Mabellini studied in Florence at the Conservatorio "L. Cherubini" with Susanna Rigacci and Leonardo de Lisi. Masterclasses with Claudio Desderi, J. Feldmann, Y. Barthelemey, H. Handt and R. Panerai. Winner of several competitions ( Palcoscenico Cesena, Le Grande Voci Toscane, Belcanto Milano). Performed in theatres all over Italy ( Cesena, Napoli, Cortona, Udine, Bolzano, Belluno, Siena, Prato, Pisa) as Rosina in "The Barber of Seville" , Lola in "Cavalleria Rusticana", Olga in "The Merry Widdow" and Cherubino in "The Marriage of Figaro.
Video: Barber of Seville, Eva as Rosina, "Una voce poco fa"
Teodolinda de Giovanni studied at the Conservatory “F. Cilea” di Reggio Calabria, where she did her diploma in 1998. In 2000 she did her debut as Princess of Bouillon in ”Adriana Lecouvreur”. Still in 2001 soloist in a long tour (“Viva Verdi”) visiting theatres in the UK (Royal Festival Hall London, Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham, St. David’s Hall in Cardiff ). The same year she sang Giovanna in Rigoletto at the Teatro Rendano di Cosenza. Winner of the Competition for singers of the Choir of the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, doing small roles in “Parsifal” di R. Wagner, Mastersingers of Nuremberg by R. Wagner (dir. Zubin Mehta), Idomeneo and recently in “Carmen” by Bizet (dir. Zubin Mehta). Other roles: di Flora (Traviata Teatro Rendano-CS; Villa Oliva, Lucca dir. M° Hunt), Suzuki (Villa Montalto, Campi Bisenzio-FI) and Dorabella (Scarperia-FI).
Video: Carmen - Teodolinda de Giovanni as Carmen - "Séguedille"
Tenors
David Righeschi was born in Montevarchi, and gave his debut as the Duke of Mantova in Verdi's "Rigoletto" in 2001 together with his teacher, the famous Paolo Washington. Sang as a soloist in Verdi's "Messa da Requiem" in 2002, Rodolfo in Puccini's "La Boheme" at the Opera Houses in Cesena, Mantova, Bologna, Firenze, Lucca e Lignano, the Duke of Mantua in Verdi's "Rigoletto" in Milano, Bologna and Pesaro, Cavaradossi in Puccini's "Tosca" and Rinuccio in "Gianni Schichi" in 2003 in Florence, 2004 in "Il Viaggio a Reims" by Rossini, 2005 in "Boris Godunof" and since 2006 at the "Puccini Festival in Luca". Appearances in Greece, Israel, Libanon and Syria.
Video: Tosca, David Righeschi as Cavaradossi – "E lucevan le stelle"
Video: The Troubadour - David Righeschi - "Di quella pira"
Leonardo Melani studied since 1994 with Liliana, then with Franco Corellì, finally with Susanna Rigacci and Carlo Meliciani. Finalist at the 40° Competition Voci Verdiane “Città di Busseto" (June 2000) and at the fifth Competition “Maria Callas" Nuove Voci per Verdi (October 2000). He did his debut as Flavio in “Norma” (Festival Verdi 2001‑Teatro Regio di Parma). In may 2001, at the Teatro Manzoni di Pistoia, Leonardo sung Edgardo in “Lucia di Lammermoor” by G. Donizetti, then' Alfredo in “La Traviata” (l'Estate Fiesolana and Taormina Arte Festival 2003), Rodolfo in “La Bohème” di G. Puccini, on a tour in Japan in september 2003 (Tokyo, Kanazawa e Nakajima). He performer at the Teatro Sao Carlos di Lisbona, the Opernhaus di Zurich, at the Teatro della Zarzuela di Madrid, Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Teatro Verdi di Busseto and Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.
Video: Carmen - Leonardo Melani as Don José - "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée"
Video: La Traviata - Leonardo Melani - "De miei bollenti spiriti"
Davide Paltretti was born in Bologna and started a very successful carreer as baritone, singing nearly 30 roles all over Italy. Just recently his voice changed to tenor and immediately he continued to receive excellent critique from the audiences and the news papers, singing Rodolfo in "La Bohème" in Florence, Alfredo in "La Traviata" at the Festival in Cagli, Cavaradossi in "Tosca" at the Theatre in Modena, Pinkerton in "Madame Butterfly" at the Teatro Rosetum in Milano and becoming since 2008 a member of the Teatro Lirico d'Abruzzo in Chieti.
Maurizio Marchini was born 1977 in Rimini and studied the trumpet already at the age of ten. He received his Art Diploma at the University in Urbino and studied singing at the Conservatorio "Luigi Cherubini" in Florence. In 2003 he sang the concert for UNICEF of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and in 2004 for the victims of the earthquake in Bam. In April 2006 he was singing the leading role in "Mitridate" by W.A.Mozart at the Cherubini Theatre. At St. Mark's Maurizio I singing Alfredo in "La Traviata" by Verdi and Rodolfo in "La Bohème" by Puccini
Tiziano Barbafiera was born in Volterra, studied at the "Cherubini" Conservatory in Florence with Kate Lafferty. In 2004 debut as Rodolfo in "La Bohème" in Modena, then Alfredo in "La Traviata". Abroad he did concerts in Florida (Lakeland e Gainsville), Auditorium nazionale of Belgrad (Serbia), "Rigoletto" all'Auditorium Fulgsocenter of Ahrus (Denmark), Teatro della Repubblica di Queretaro (Messico), Mùnchen, Oita "Così fan tutte"and the Concert Hall di Shizuoka (Japan). Recently he sang for the Foundation "Simonetta Puccini" in Torre del Lago.
Baritones
Lisandro de Guinis was born in La Plata / Argentina where he started his studies (violin and piano). In 1990 he moved to Italy where he received his voice diploma at the conservatory "G. Verdi" in Torino. After winning a competition in Treviso he started a successful carreer, as Figaro in "Barbiere di Siviglia", as Marcello in "La Boheme" as Germont in "La Traviata", Conte di Luna in "Il Trovatore", Conte Almaviva in “The Marriage of Figaro”, Rigoletto in “Rigoletto” and Scarpia in "Tosca". In November 2009 he sung the title role in Verdi’s Nabucco and Rigoletto this July in La Plata with tremendous success. Permanent member of the ensemble of the Operaq House in Florence.
Video: Tosca - Lisandro de Guinis as Scarpia - "Tre sbirri... una carozza"
Video: La Traviata - Lisandro de Guinis - "Di Provenza il mar"
Mattia Campetti was born in Lucca and educated by Fernando Piccini. Mattia performed at the "Puccini e la sua Lucca International Festival" as Sharpless in "Madame Butterfly" and Schaunard in "La Boheme" and as Simone in "Gianni Schicchi". Recently he was heard as Silvio in " I Pagliacci" and in September for the first time as Sagrestano in Tosca.
Massimo Naccarato was born in Cosenza, where he studied voice at the Conservatory. Masterclasses with G. Raimondi, M. Sighele and V. Lucchetti, l'Accademia A. Toscanini in Modena under A. Pola. Winner of several competitions (Unesco in Verona, G. di Stefano in Trapani) , sang already at the Opera Houses in Pisa, Lucca, Livorno, Mantova, Ravenna, Verona and Paris, performing as Giorgio Germont in "La Traviata" by Verdi, Marcello in "La Bohème", Escamillo in Bizet's "Carmen and Rigoletto in "Rigoletto". Permanent member of the ensemble of the Opera House in Florence.
Video: Carmen, Massimo Naccarato as Escamillo " Votre toast"
Leonardo Sorelli studied voice in Florence with Paolo Washington, Giovanna Santelli and Boscolo Franco. Performed as Monterone in "Rigoletto", Ufficiale in "The Barber of Seville", Sciarrone and Angelotti in "Tosca", Conte di Ceprano and Sparafucile in "Rigoletto", Zio Bonzo in "Madame Butterfly".
Alessandro Petruccelli studied voice first with M° Giuseppe Visibelli, then with the famous Baritone Gino Bechi. Sang at the theatres of Florence, Novara, Cesena, Pesaro etc the roles of Shaunard in "La Bohème" by Puccini, Marullo and Monterone in "Rigoletto" by Verdi, Bartolo and Figaro in "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini and "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart, Belcore in "Elisir D'Amore" by Donizetti and many others.
Romano Martinuzzi studied first with M° P. Rossi, at the moment with M° A. Calamai. Started a successful carreer as Conte di Ceprano in "Rigoletto", Benoit, Colline and Alcindoro in "La Bohème", Fiorello and Basilio in "The Barber of Seville" , Dott. Grenvil in "La Traviata", Don Pasquale in "Don Pasquale and Dulcamara in "Elisir D'Amore". Worked together with conductors as R. Abbado, M. Panni, R. Gabbiani, M. Balderi, R. Clemencic, P. Phillips and F. La Veccia.
Video: The Barber of Seville - Romano Martinuzzi as Don Basilio "La calunnia"
Franco Rossi was born in Florence, where he started his studies with Rinaldo Rola, perfectioning studies with Silvia Bossa. Debut in 1994 in the Musical "Il Giardino delle Muse" at the Teatro "Verdi" and the Teatro "Puccini" in Florence. Masterclasses with the project "Young Singers Enrico Caruso" directed by Rolando Panerai, singing afterwards in "Elisir d'Amore" by Donizetti (Belcore), "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini (Figaro), "La Traviata" by Verdi (Giorgio Germont) and "Madame Butterfly" by Puccini (Sharpless). In his repertoire also: Escamillo/Carmen, Don Giovanni, Marcello/La Bohème, Ford/Falstaff and Rodrigo/Don Carlo. Sang all over Italy and abroad, appearing also in productions in TV.
Piano
Cristiano Manzoni graduates in piano with Maestro G. Fricelli and vocal chamber music at the Cherubini conservatory of music in Florence with Maestro L. De Lisi with highest grade and honors. He has a voice-piano repertoire, opera and chamber music. He works as an accompanist pianist of opera, operetta, theatre comedies, auditions for opera singers, opera singing competitions and courses for opera singers. He performed in the first of some Melodies for voice and piano written by Maestro Fricelli, Rigacci and Liberto. He has an intense concerts carrier accompanying artists such as M. Dragoni, K. Ricciarelli, S. K. Doneva, B. Di Castri, L. Brioli, Maria C. Nocentini, L. Bartolini, G. Casciarri and the actor Elio Pandolfi. He held a series of concerts at the Theatre of the Republic of Santiago de Queretaro (Mexico) obtaining an excellent consensus of critics and audiences and has participated as the official accompanist pianist to a stage for opera singers at the University of Music of Queretaro. In 2005 he held a concert tour in Florida and was the accompanist in a lyric international competition in Palm Beach (president Virginia Zeani). Last year he collaborated with the choir of the Scuola Normale V. Galilei for the Petite messe solennelle by Rossini. He was involved in the opera "Bohème" by G. Puccini at the Colony theatre of Miami (Florida). He has just returned from a long stay in the USA where he had the opportunity to work as a vocal coach at the Indiana University in the city of Bloomington (Indiana) collaborating with the classes of Carol Vaness, Patricia Wise and Carlos Montané and held tournées in New York (Julliard School), Chicago, Minneapolis, Miami, participating in recordings and concerts.
Eugenio Milazzo studied piano at the Conservatorio Cherubini in Florence and earned his masters degree with honors in 2002. He has accompanied many singers and numerous orchestras, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Berliner Philharmoniker, Radio de France, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and about 20 others. He is well known at every theatre in Florence, Siena, and Pisa, as well as in Rome and Bolzano, for being able to accompany the most difficult opera productions and for his unique ability to memorize entire operas. His repertoire includes not only the standard repertoire (G. Rossini, W.A. Mozart, G. Puccini, G. Verdi, P. Mascagni), but also contemporary works by Leonard Bernstein, Peter Maxwell Davies, Francis Poulenc, Darius Milhaud, Nino Rota, Carl Orff, Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari, Luciano Berio, Sylvano Bussotti, Boris Porena, Francesco Pennisi, Marco Tutino, Hans Werner Henze, Francesco Traversi, Angelo Russo and Roberto De Simone.
St. Mark's Opera Company
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Photography by Emanuele Teobaldelli