New York City's Premier Concert Opera Company
Artistic Advisory Board
Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor, began performing professionally at the age of 11 and has since appeared in opera, concert, recital, film, and on Broadway. His performances with opera companies including The Metropolitan Opera, the English National Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago, have garnered him well-deserved praise. The New Yorker has described him as “a brilliant young countertenor” who “acted with a stage veteran’s skill.”
Jonathan Pell served as Artistic Director and Director of Artistic Administration for The Dallas Opera for 30 years. He has chaired the Richard Tucker Music Foundation's National Auditions Committee and served on the Board of the ARIA Awards. He has also served as a distinguished adjudicator for many prestigious international vocal competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Luciano Pavarotti Competition, and the George London Foundation.
Carole Farley is a GRAMMY-nominated American soprano who has enjoyed a thriving international career singing roles from the standard repertory as well as non-traditional role – for example, she debuted at The Metropolitan Opera as Mimi in La bohème and shortly thereafter sang the title role in Lulu under the baton of James Levine. Other companies with which Ms. Farley has performed include New York City Opera, Zurich Opera, and Turin’s Teatro Regio.
Katherine Ciesinski is an accomplished American mezzo-soprano that the New York Times has called “a singer of rare communicative presence, and a musician of discrimination and intelligence.” She pursues a fully integrated career with performances in venues that include Covent Garden, The Metropolitan Opera, and the Paris Opera. Ms. Ciesinski is also a noted voice professor and a director.
Frederica von Stade has been described by the New York Times as “one of America’s finest artists and singers." In addition to her appearances in operas, Ms. von Stade is also known throughout the world for her performances in concerts, recitals, and on television. She has made over sixty recordings with every major label including Deutsche Gramophone, Decca, and EMI. Known by her nickname “Flicka,” the mezzo-soprano has enriched the music world since her Met debut in 1970.
Robert Brubaker has established himself as a leading tenor in opera companies throughout the United States and Europe, including the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, Santa Fe Opera, and La Scala. He is praised for the clarity and power of his voice and for the impact of his acting. Mr. Brubaker has been hailed as a “dynamic tenor” (New York Times), with a “big heroic sound” (London Times).”
Ira Siff is well known for his work in opera, including as Commentator on the Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcast; reviewer and feature article journalist for Opera News; founder and star of La Gran Scena Opera Company; vocal / repertoire coach and internationally acclaimed master teacher; and director.
Peter Kazaras is a stage director whose credits include productions for Washington National Opera, Seattle Opera and The Glimmerglass Festival. Previously, he was the Seattle Opera’s Artistic Advisor and Artistic Director of the Young Artist Program. Earlier in his career, he received worldwide acclaim as an operatic tenor, performing at, among many others, the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro alla Scala, and Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Jack O’Brien is a director, producer, writer, and lyricist. For his work, Mr. O’Brien has earned three Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards, and he has been inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. His opera directing credits include Puccini’s Il trittico for The Metropolitan Opera, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte for San Francisco Opera, Verdi’s Aida for Houston Grand Opera.
Richard Cross, bass-baritone, has appeared on many of the world’s important stages, including Deutsche Oper Berlin, Hamburg Staatsoper, and Glyndebourne Festival. Mr. Cross made his professional opera debut at the first Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, in the world premiere of Lee Hoiby’s The Scarf. He has taught at the Juilliard School and Yale School of Music.
John Beeson has had an extensive career in opera. During his tenure with New York City Opera (1977 – 2010) he spent 20 years as Chief of Music Staff. He joined The Metropolitan Opera music staff in 1996. As a coach and Assistant Conductor he has also worked for Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Boston Opera, and the Spoleto Festival. The preparation of Ring Cycles for San Francisco Opera, Seattle Opera, and The Met are among his many notable contributions.
Eve Queler has is the Founder and Music Director of Opera Orchestra of New York. For 50 years, she has championed neglected operas by great composers, has breathed new life into known works, has introduced important international singers to New York audiences, and has given critical early performance opportunities to many young singers who went on to become the foremost artists of our time. Ms. Queler has conducted over 100 performances at Carnegie Hall and has guest conducted worldwide.
Doris Yarick-Cross, soprano, has appeared with Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Oper Frankfurt. She is professor and head of voice and opera at Yale and Director of the Yale Opera Program at the Yale School of Music. In her years as head of the Yale Opera program, Yale has become one of the premier training programs for young singers.
Willie Anthony Waters, conductor, is a regular guest of the opera companies in North America, Europe, and Africa. He served as General and Artistic Director of the Connecticut Opera for twelve years, and as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Florida Grand Opera for seven seasons.