The first edition of Italian Opera Lab took place in Los Angeles last week to an overwhelming and enthusiastic reception. The timing was especially meaningful, as Italian opera singing was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023.
What better opportunity to honor this extraordinary artistic legacy than with a dedicated lab celebrating its history, technique, and global influence?
Organized by acclaimed soprano Elisabetta Russo, the week-long program celebrated the richness of Italian Opera and its worldwide cultural impact. The initiative was developed in close collaboration with the Opera Festival of Chicago, represented by renowned conductor Emanuele Andrizzi and General Director and Stage Director Sasha Gerritson, whose artistic leadership helped bring an international perspective to the Los Angeles event.
One of the program’s highlights was a distinguished panel discussion held at The Soraya at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), titled The Art of Italian Opera Singing and UNESCO. The conversation explored the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of Italian opera, and also celebrated the 125th anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s death with a brief live performance.
The collaborative panel was masterfully moderated by Thor Steingraber, Executive Artistic Director of The Soraya, and featured notable voices from the opera world, including:
Emanuele Andrizzi, Founder & Conductor Opera Festival of Chicago
Sasha Gerritson, General Director & Stage Director of the Opera Festival of Chicago
Elisabetta Russo, Soprano, Founder & Artistic Director of Italian Opera LAb
James Tumminia, Executive Producer of the documentary Viva Verdi! whose soundtrack is an Academy Award finalist
Patrizia Miller, Professor and Director of Special Projects for CSUN’s Italian Studies Program
The week then continued with a series of masterclasses, culminating in a beautiful and moving final concert at the Westside Music Conservatory in Los Angeles. The artists performed some of the most beloved operatic arias, showcasing both emerging and established talent, accompanied at the piano by Chris Maldonado.
Highlights included arias from:
Le nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
L’elisir d’amore by Gaetano Donizetti
Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi
Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi
La traviata by Giuseppe Verdi
La bohème by Giacomo Puccini
Italian Opera LAb’s debut marks an important cultural milestone for the music world on and around Los Angeles, strengthening international artistic ties and celebrating a treasured tradition that continues to enthuse and inspire audiences around the world.
We look forward to seeing the young talents who performed during Italian Opera LAb bring their masterful voices around the world.
Bravissimi tutti!
