Don Giovanni Program Notes

JUSTICE AND RETRIBUTION - By Mary Jane Phillips-Matz

Hailed by many as the greatest of all operas, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's DON GIOVANNI is high drama, but it is also a pithy morality play. Looming over it is Don Juan of Seville, the opera's Don Giovanni, a man of charm, but wicked, with a monstrous ego. Like many aristocrats of his time, the Don is thoroughly corrupt, asis shown by the opera's original title: “Il dissoluto punito, o sia il Don Giovanni.” Here is a clear statement about his nature, because "dissolute" means he is a libertine, debauched and licentious. Even from the first scene, he is determined to seduce or rape women; he murders an old man; he thrives on deceit and lies; and he feels no remorse. Mozart gave the world premiere of DON GIOVANNI in Prague on October 29, 1787, at a moment when he was wildly popular in that city. Successful from the start, DON GIOVANNI triumphed in part because the composer devoted so much time to the rehearsals, working with the orchestra, making corrections to the written score and conducting the opera. He also coached his cast himself, because they were so young. Surprisingly, the first baritone to sing the title role was only twenty, the leading soprano slightly older.

DON GIOVANNI came gradually to be recognized as a masterwork of unparalleled beauty and profound moral substance. Its brilliantly balanced libretto is by Mozart's trusted collaborator, Lorenzo da Ponte, who was also the poet of The MARIAGE OF FIGARO and COSI FAN TUTTE. The plot is based on a mix of ancient legend, historical fact and earlier librettos. Perhaps the first widely known version of the Don's tale was a drama written in 1630 by Tirso de Molina, a Spanish monk. Called THE TRICKSTER FROM SEVILLE and THE STONE GUEST, it shows the Don as a lawless nobleman who forces himself on women and kills on a whim. As in the

opera, he arrogantly issues a dinner invitation to a Stone Guest --- not a living man, but the tomb statue of the man the Don has murdered.

Both the librettist and the composer marvellously depict the characters in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI. First there is the title role, the Don who so often dominates operas, dramas and ballets, simply because his story makes for exciting theatre. In this opera he looms larger than life, aristocratic and elegant, sophisticated, genial, urbane, witty, arrogant and truly evil --- a man running wild through the world around him. No longer just the trickster from Seville, as in the early tales, the Don is a serial rapist.

Mozart also brought the four other serious characters to life. They power the plot. Donna Anna, the valiant noblewoman, fights off the Don when, wearing a mask, he breaks into her bedroom intending to rape her. Anna's father, the Commendatore, tries to defend his daughter and is killed by Don Giovanni. Then Anna, determined to identify the murderer and her would-be rapist, perseveres until she finds that the Don was the man who attacked her. Anna's fiancé, Don Ottavio, is the typical noble suitor of period opera; but in Donna Elvira, one of Don Giovanni's many conquests, Mozart and his librettist created something more subtle: a penetrating psychological portrait of a tormented woman. The comic characters are Leporello, Don Giovanni's valet and henchman; Zerlina, a vulnerable peasant girl, and Masetto, her fiance. For sheer horror, nothing matches the dinner scene in the last act of DON GIOVANNI First the rake is enjoying a meal and listening to his musicians play popular tunes. Elvira bursts in, begging the Don to repent, but he laughingly rebuffs her. She leaves. We hear her screams and Leporello's cries of terror, as the statue, the Stone Guest, enters. He wants nothing to eat, he says, but he invites the Don to dine with him. "I will go," the Don says, as he grasps the statue's icy hand. "Repent!" the statue warns. But when the Don refuses, the statue cries, "Your time has run out." He drags the sinner down to Hell, and Justice is done at last.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Baritone Gustavo Feulien – DON GIOVANNI

Hailed by the New York Times as “rich voiced” and by Opera News as “the sonorous baritone Feulien cut a terrifying figure as a wolfish, analytical Scarpia.”, Argentinean-American baritone, Gustavo Feulien, continues his career with great success. This season he sang as Payador in Piazzolla’s MARÍA DE BUENOS AIRES with Opera San Antonio, a role that he also performed in the Theatro Municipal in São Paolo, Brazil and with The Atlanta Opera. This season, Feulien performed as Zurga in LES PÊCHEURS DE PERLES at the Teatro Colón in Argentina. With New York City Opera he sang as Silvio in PAGLIACCI, Escamillo in CARMEN and as Marcello in LA BOHEME in the Bryant Park Summer Concerts. Gustavo performed as Scarpia in TOSCA with Maryland Symphony Orchestra, with Gulfshore Symphony, Loft Opera and Heartbeat Opera both in New York City. His New York City Opera debut was as Silvio in PAGLIACCI, a role he sang also with Boheme Opera in New Jersey. Gustavo made his role debuts as Marcello in LA BOHÈME with Wichita Grand Opera and as Sharpless in MADAME BUTTERFLY with Gulfshore Opera. Gustavo Feulien made a successful European opera debut as Belcore in L ́ELISIR D ́AMORE and as Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro as a regular guest artist with Theater Bremen in Germany. His American career was launched with his Carnegie Hall debut in Faure ́s Requiem and with DiCapo Opera, Gustavo Feulien was part of a US tour singing Silvio in PAGLIACCI. With Opera in Williamsburg, he performed as Conde di Luna in IL TROVATORE. One of his signature roles is Escamillo in CARMEN which he performed in New York, Virginia and Montreal, Canada; as well as the title role in DON GIOVANNI, which he has performed throughout Argentina & USA. Over the last seasons, Gustavo Feulien has extended his repertoire to include some new Russian signature roles such as the title role in EUGENE ONEGIN, performed in Brooklyn, New York and in Tel Aviv, Israel where he received the IVAI Price for International Singer and Robert in Tchaikovsky ́s IOLANTA performed with Di Capo Opera in NYC. His debut with Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires was as the baritone soloist in CARMINA BURANA. Feulien was part of the international cast of Verdi ́s LA FORZA DEL DESTINO. He returned to Teatro Colón as the Herald in LOHENGRIN and participated in the production of DON GIOVANNI. He also took part in the world premiere of Mario Peruso ́s modern opera FEDRA as Teramenes and performed at the 100th Anniversary of Teatro Colon ́s Celebration Gala. With Opera de Puerto Rico Feulien has performed as Malatesta in DON PASQUALE, Belcore in L ́ELISIR D ́AMORE, and the Conde in the Zarzuela LA LEYENDA DEL BESO. MOST RECENTLY Mr. Feulien performed the role of Escamillo in Bizet CARMEN with the NYC OPERA in Bryant Park – September 2025. Gustavo is making his debut with Teatro Lirico D’Europa this season 2025-2026 as the Don.

Baritone Carlos Alberto López – LEPORELLO

Carlos López, born and trained in Guadalajara, Jalisco, is widely regarded as one of the finest Mexican baritones of his generation. Critics and audiences alike have praised his voice as “precise,” “elegant,” with “a fresh, resonant timbre, enviable diction, and innate musicality.” With over 50 operatic and zarzuela roles in his repertoire, Mr. López is known for his versatility and stylistic command, performing works by Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Händel, Rossini, Mozart, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, Puccini, Fauré, Torroba, Sorozábal, Manuel M. Ponce, Ikuma Dan, and others. His stage presence and vocal range allow him to shine equally in comedic and dramatic roles. Some of his signature performances include Figaro (IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA) Marcello (LA BOHÈME) Escamillo (CARMEN) Malatesta (DON PASQUALE) Tonio & Silvio (PAGLIACCI) Giorgio Germont (LA TRAVIATA) Roque (MARINA) Ping (TURANDOT) Sharpless (MADAMA BUTTERFLY) Unzu (YŪZURU, Japanese opera by Ikuma Dan). He is also a frequent soloist in concert repertoire such as: MESSA DI GLORIA (Puccini) MISSA SOLEMNIS (Beethoven) REQUIEM (Mozart, Fauré, Brahms, Verdi) DIE SIEBEN LETZTEN WORTE (Haydn) MESSIAH (Händel) CARMINA BURANA (Carl Orff) 9TH SYMPHONY (Beethoven). Competitions and Awards: 1st Prize – Ópera en Castellano International Competition (Lima, Perú, 2021) 1st Prize – Ópera Palcco (Guadalajara, 2017) 1st Prize – Ópera de San Miguel (San Miguel de Allende, 2017) 1st Prize – Homenaje a Jorge Negrete (CDMX, 2020) 2nd Prize + Audience Favorite + Bellas Artes Prize – Carlo Morelli National Competition (CDMX, 2018) Winner – Sinaloa and Fanny Anitúa National Competitions (2014) Best Foreign Singer Award – Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques (Montreal, Canada, 2017) He was selected for the Final Round of NEUE STIMMEN 2015 in Gütersloh, Germany, the Francisco Viñas International Competition 2020 in Barcelona, and the Jette Parker Young Artist Programme Final Auditions at the Royal Opera House (London, 2016). Training and Collaborations Mr. López was a member of the Ópera Estudio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City (2015–2016), under the artistic direction of world-renowned tenor Ramón Vargas. He currently collaborates with the Opera Studio Beckmann, part of the José Cuervo Foundation in Tequila, Jalisco, where he has performed in numerous operas, zarzuelas, and concerts. He has received masterclasses and coaching from international figures such as Elina Garanča, Javier Camarena, Ramón Vargas, Sumi Jo, Lucas Meachem, Vladimir Stoyanov, David Gowland, Carlos Conde, Jack LiVigni, Francisco Araiza, and Enrique Patrón de Rueda. He has performed under the baton of Plácido Domingo, Johannes Wildner, Iván López-Reynoso, Enrique Patrón de Rueda, and Gregory Buchalter. Recent engagements include Teatro Lírico D’Europa: Figaro in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA – February 2022 & USA East Coast tour – winter 2024) Marcello in LA BOHÈME (Oscar Larsen Performing Arts Center, SD – September 2023), soloist in multiple concert galas with orchestra and international soloists, Ping in TURANDOT and Tonio in PAGLIACCI – Teatro Degollado, Guadalajara, Marqués de Obigny in LA TRAVIATA with Guatemala City Opera, MISSA SOLEMNIS – Soloist with Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Christmas Gala – Soloist with Ontario Philharmonic (Canada) 2025. Upcoming Performances include major roles in EL NIÑO Y LOS SORTILEGIOS (Ravel) DON GIOVANNI (Mozart) RIGOLETTO (Verdi) PAGLIACCI (Leoncavallo) CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA (Mascagni) LA DEL MANOJO DE ROSAS (Sorozábal) CARMINA BURANA (Orff) IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (Rossini).

Soprano Gayane Ghambaryan – DONNA ANNA

Armenian soprano Gayane Ghambaryan began singing lessons at age 15. From 2004 – 2007 she studied at the Musical College - Romanos Melikyan. In 2007 she started vocal studies at Yerevan State Conservatory - Komitas in the class of Professor Larisa Mkrtchyan. She graduated from Conservatory in 2013 with a master`s degree. Gayane Ghambaryan was the first prize in winner in the singing competition - “The New 8th Sound” 2018 in Armenia. Since 2018 Gayane Ghambaryan has frequently appeared on stage as a soloist with Armenian Ancient Music State Ensemble “Tagharan”, directed and conducted by Sedrak Yerkanyan. In December 2022 she appeared as Violetta Valery in LA TRAVIATA of G. Verdi with Armenian National Opera and Ballet Theater. In December 2023 was the first prize winner of United Kingdom’s “International Golden Talent" competition. During summer 2024, Gayane participated in the Greve Opera Academy in Chianti Italy, directed by Adrian Sylveen, the Artistic Director of Connecticut Virtuosi. She studied and performed there the roles of Mimi in LA BOHEME of G. Puccini and the Gilda in RIGOLETTO of G. Verdi and subsequently was invited to perform these roles in the USA with Teatro Lirico/CT Virtuosi during the 2024-2025 season at major presenting theatres. Gayane will return to the USA during in October 2025 to debut the role of Donna Anna with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI at Ocsar Larsen PAC (S. Dakota State University). In winter 2026 Ms. Ghambaryan will return to the USA again to perform the role of Gilda in Verdi’s RIGOLETTO with NJ. Ass. Of Verismo Opera, Light Opera NJ and with Teatro Lirico D’Europa at the beautiful McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA and the role of Micaela in Bizet’s CARMEN with Teatro Lirico D’Europa. Gayane was the winner of 1st prize in the 31st International Competition and Festival "LES ETOILES DE PARIS 2024'' (October 2024). In November of 2024 she appeared as Mimi in performances of LA BOHEME in CT under the baton of Adrian Sylveen, the Artistic Director of Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, in collaboration with Teatro Lirico D’Europa (Giorgio Lalov, Artistic Director). Gayane performs the masterpieces of the Baroque repertoire as well and appears in concerts with world renown violinist Nikolay Madoyan with a duet format of voice and violin. Her voice has been characterized as Soprano spinto with a large range of warm, emotional voice overreaching more than 2.5 octaves.

Mezzo soprano Rebecca de Almeida – DONNA ELVIRA

Mezzo soprano Rebecca de Almeida joins Teatro Lirico D’Europa in season 2025- 2026 as Donna Elvira in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI and Mercedes in Bizet’s CARMEN. "Her voice soared over the crowd with both strength and sweetness, as if it could coax a bud to bloom,” said New Haven Independent of Brazilian Mezzo soprano Rebecca de Almeida’s ‘24 season finale with the New Haven Chorale at Yale's Woolsey Hall. Rebecca de Almeida had her Carnegie Hall debut in the 22-23 Season, the year after with Andrea Bocelli in concert for his Christmas tour at Mohegan Sun Arena and TD Garden in Boston, and in the summer of ’25, at the Stefaniensaal and Kammermusiksaal Musikverein Graz, in Graz, Austria. 

A couple years before the pandemic the Brazilian mezzo switched her career as an awarded pianist to become a classical singer, and she is quickly establishing herself as one of the leading mezzo sopranos in Connecticut. She has performed roles throughout the US, Latin America and Europe.Her principal roles include Carmen in Bizet’s CARMEN, Rosina in Rossini’s IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Suzuki in MADAMA BUTTERFLY by Puccini, Cesare in Handel’s GIULIO CESARE, Orfeo in Gluck’s ORFEO ED EURIDICE, Dorabella and Despina in Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE, Flora in LA TRAVIATA by Verdi, Maddalena in Verdi's RIGOLETTO and Count Orlovsky in Strauss’ DIE FLEDERMAUS. The New Haven Register Shore Life wrote: “Rebecca de Almeida gave a staggeringly commanding performance as Carmen. I will be following her meteoric rise” about her debut as the title role of Bizet’s CARMEN with OTC in 2022. Her next engagements include Donna Elvira in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI and Mercedes Bizet’s CARMEN in traditional Italian stagings of these full-scale productions with Teatro Lírico d’Europa, Handel’s MESSIAH with Sherman Chamber Orchestra and Yale’s Woolsey Hall for the New Haven Chorale HOLIDAY SEASON CONCERT.

Internationally she has performed in concert at Teatro Municipal de Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil; Kammermusiksaal and Stefaniensaal in Graz, Austria. In Italy she sung Giulio Cesare - GIULIO CESARE by Handel, Dorabella - COSI FAN TUTTE by Mozart, Zita - Puccini’s GIANNI SCHICCHI and La Zia Principessa - Puccini’s SUOR ANGELICA. In Mexico she performed Donna Elvira - Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI and Marcellina - Mozart’s LE NOZZE DI FIGARO. Rebecca de Almeida’s Concert repertoire includes Bach’s MAGNIFICAT, Bach’s CANTATA BWV 170 and 8, Handel’s MESSIAH, Moniuszko’s MASS IN Eb, Mozart’s REQUIEM, Pergolesi’s STABAT MATER, Rossini’s Stabat MATER & PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE, and VIVALDI’S MAGNIFICAT.

Tenor Nathan Snyder – DON OTTAVIO

Praised for his “rich and nuanced" sound and “riveting” acting, tenor Nathan Snyder has built a reputation of excellence in all genres. His energy and impressive versatility make him an outstanding presence on any stage. Nathan recently made his debut as B.F. Pinkerton in Puccini’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY with the New Jersey Verismo Opera and Light Opera New Jersey, as well as the Duke of Mantua in RIGOLETTO with Teatro Lirico D’Europa. Soon after RIGOLETTO Nathan traveled to Kansas to reprise the role of Dewey Noyes in STAGGERWING with Opera Kansas, a role Nathan premiered, before heading to Quisisana Resort in Maine for the summer to perform the title roles in both ROMÉO ET JULIETTE by Gounod and ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD by Offenbach. After premiering the role of Dewey Noyes in STAGGERWING with Opera Kansas in 2021, Nathan experienced great success in contemporary repertoire, including Clarence Elkins in BLIND INJUSTICE with Opera Theater of the Rockies, Miles in PROVING UP with Opera Steamboat, as well as covering the role of the Visitor in Phillip Glasses IN THE PENAL COLONY. Between contemporary works, Nathan has also performed standard roles including Manrico in Verdi’s IL TROVATORE, Rodolfo in Puccini’s LA BOHÈME, Don José in CARMEN and Sam Polk in Carlisle Floyd’s SUSANNAH. Nathan is equally at home on the concert stage, singing the tenor solos in CARMINA BURANA, Mozart’s REQUIEM, Bruckner’s TE DEUM, and Stravinsky’s IN MEMORIAM DYLAN THOMAS, just to name a few. He recently sang the part of the archangel Uriel in Haydn's CREATION with the Laramie Choral and Mozart’s REQUIEM with the University of Wyoming. Nathan has also achieved high praise for his work in musical theatre, most recently in Loveland Opera Theatre’s production of BRIGADOON, where Marlow’s Musings said “Nathan Snyder’s vocals in the role of Tommy Albright are Magnificent! His “Almost Like Being in Love,” is worth the price of admission all on its own!!!" Nathan has performed, in concert, the role of Billy Early in NO NO NANNETTE and in Loveland Opera Theatre’s RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN JUBILEE. A Colorado native and University of Northern Colorado alumnus, Nathan competed as a finalist in both the Opera Birmingham Vocal Competition and the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition. Some of Nathan’s other roles have included King Kasper in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, Count Almaviva in IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Don Ottavio in DON GIOVANNI, Belmonte in DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL, Ferrando in COSI FAN TUTTE, Cassio in OTELLO, Nemorino in L’ELISIR D’AMORE, both Eisenstein and Alfred in DIE FLEDERMAUS, Frederic in PIRATES OF PENZANCE, Martin in THE TENDER LAND, and Albert Herring in ALBERT HERRING. Nathan is looking forward to a busy season 2025-2026 singing Don Ottavio with Teatro Lirico in Mozart’s DON GIOVANNI (October 2025) and reprising the role the Duke in RIGOLETTO with New Jersey Ass. of Verismo Opera, Light Opera New Jersey and Teatro Lirico D’Europa in February 2026 as well as being one of four featured soloists in A TRIBUTE TO PAVAROTTI at Jacksonville PAC in March 2026. Mr. Synder will also perform the role of Don Jose in Bizet CARMEN with Teatro Lirico D’Europa in winter 2026.

Soprano Stephanie Foster – ZERLINA

New York/Boston based soprano Stephanie Foster has begun a vibrant artistic career as a multifaceted musician and teacher. She graduated with both a master’s degree and additional Performance Certificate from the Manhattan School of Music, after having completed her BA in Music at Connecticut College. Over the past several years, Stephanie has been awarded a variety of performance opportunities in the United States and Europe, from full scale operatic and musical theater productions to recital and oratorio. Recent operatic roles include Miss Jessel (THE TURN OF THE SCREW), Zerlina and Donna Elvira (DON GIOVANNI), Frasquita (CARMEN), Musetta (LA BOHÈME), Morgana (ALCINA), Erste Dame (DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE), and Adele (DIE FLEDERMAUS), while concert appearances include concerts with the Vista Philharmonic and Hillyer Festival Orchestras, and multiple presentations of Pergolesi’s STABAT MATER. In addition to performing, she has taken on projects in the production realm, most notably serving as assistant stage director for operas at Manhattan School of Music and the Aspen Music Festival. Stephanie is an active music teacher and tutor, specializing in voice, piano, music theory, and ear training.

Baritone Jeremy Griffin – MASETTO

Baritone Jeremy Griffin has established himself as a dynamic and versatile performer, captivating audiences in opera, concert, and oratorio across North America. With a rich, resonant voice and compelling stage presence, he has brought to life an impressive range of roles, from the brooding Rodrigo in DON CARLO to the cunning DON GIOVANNI and the noble Germont in LA TRAVIATA. In the 2024-25 season, he debuted two new roles: the title role in DON GIOVANNI with Off-Brand Opera, and Germont (LA TRAVIATA) with New Jersey Opera Theater. He is thrilled to be  performing for the first time with Teatro Lirico D’Europa as Masetto (DON GIOVANNI) this fall of 2025.

Recent highlights include Marcello (LA BOHEME) with The Opera Collective NYC, and Angelotti (TOSCA) with Connecticut Lyric Opera. His career has been marked by collaborations with esteemed companies such as Vocal Productions NYC, Regina Opera, and Delaware Valley Opera, where he has excelled in both comedic and dramatic roles, including Belcore (L’ELISIR D’AMORE), Sparafucile (RIGOLETTO), and the Four Villains (LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN). Equally at home on the concert stage, he has been a featured soloist in Handel’s MESSIAH (Columbia River Gorge Orchestra, 2025), Mozart’s REQUIEM, Rossini’s STABAT MATER, and even Distant Worlds: MUSIC FROM FINAL FANTASY with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

A dedicated artist with a strong foundation in vocal pedagogy, he has studied under renowned teachers and coaches, including Valentin Peychinov, Mark Oswald, and Richard Zeller, and has worked with esteemed conductors such as Arnie Roth and Predrag Gosta. His theatrical training was shaped in his early years by director Tito Capobianco.With a career spanning over a decade, Jeremy continues to bring depth, nuance, and vocal brilliance to every performance, earning acclaim for his artistry and commitment to the operatic tradition.

Bass Valerian Ruminski – COMMENDATORE

Bass Valerian Ruminski is a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts Philadelphia and of SUNY-Buffalo. A true basso cantante, his bold and powerful vocal lyricism and remarkable coloratura have garnered him many accolades. An excellent musician and creative interpreter, he has performed with many of the great opera companies in the US and abroad including The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Dallas Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Opera, Miami Opera, Minnesota Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Ireland, Opera de Montreal, Opera de Monte Carlo, Birmingham Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Opera de Quebec, Vancouver Opera, The Canadian Opera Company, The Green Mountain Festival (VT) and Festival de Belle-ile en Mer (Fr). He can be heard on the Naxos label release of 'Night at the Opera' with other singers who have debuted at the Metropolitan Opera as well as on the newly released Victor Herbert Collection on New World Records.

Mr. Ruminski has performed the roles of Figaro & Bartolo (LE NOZZE DI FIGARO), Ferrando (IL TROVATORE), Sparafucile (RIGOLETTO), Colline (LA BOHEME), Commendatore (DON GIOVANNI), Feniscio (ERMIONE), Sarastro (MAGIC FLUTE), Sam (BALLO IN MASCHERA), Ramphis & King (AIDA), Zuniga (CARMEN), Dr. Grenvil (TRAVIATA), Prince Gremin (ONEGIN), Inspector Budd (ALBERT HERRING), Lt. Ratcliffe (BILLY BUDD), Frank (DIE FLEDERMAUS), First Soldier (SALOME), Daland (THE FLYING DUTCHMAN), Don Magnifico (LA CENERENTOLA), Dulcamara (THE ELIXIR OF LOVE), Garibaldo (RODELINDA), Il Re (ARIODANTE), Ligniere (CYRANO), Don Pasquale (DON PASQUALE) and Basilio (BARBER OF SEVILLE) among many others. Mr. Ruminski is the recipient of many prestigious grants and awards including the Lincoln Center Martin Segal Award, a Richard Tucker Grant, a William Mattheus Sullivan Foundation Grant, a Gerda Lissner Foundation Grant, the 2000 MacAllister Award, winner of the NJ Verismo Competition, the NYSTA Coloratura Competition and the Marcella Sembrich Vocal Competition sponsored by the Koscziuszko Foundation. Since 2009 Mr. Ruminski has been the Founder and General Director of the acclaimed Nickel City Opera in Buffalo NY and received an award from Opera America for 10 years of stewardship for the company as well as being Adjunct Professor of Voice at Westchester Community College in Valhalla NY.

Artistic Director/Stage Director – GIORGIO LALOV

Born in Bulgaria, Giorgio (Gueorgui) Lalov has been the stage director and artistic director of Teatro Lirico D'Europa, an international opera touring company since 1986 and has just been appointed as the new Artistic Director and GM of NJ Association of Verismo Opera. Teatro Lirico D’Europa has completed 20 consecutive years of USA tours and over 5,000 performances at major venues WORLD-WIDE. Lalov has been performing in and directing full-scale opera productions with international casts since his debut at La Scala, Milan at the age of 25. He speaks English, French, Italian, Bulgarian, and Russian fluently. Since 1988, his productions have been presented at major venues in France, Belgium Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Italy, Sicily, Denmark, South America, the Island of Martinique, and the USA including performances for Opera Dijon - France, Opera De Massy - Paris, Salle Pleyel - Paris, Pavillion Baltard - Paris, Okinawa Performing Arts Center, Japan, Tivoli Gardens - Copenhagen, Theatre Carre - Amsterdam, Congresshaus - Zurich, Theatre Trinidade - Lisbon, Teatro Atlantida - Barcelona, Salida de La Compania - Madrid, Teatro Cervantes - Madrid, Teatro Bueno Vallejo - Madrid, Teatro Lope de Vega - Seville, Le Cirque Royale - Brussels, LʼAtrium Theatre on the Island of Martinique, Theatre Margharita – Trapani -Sicily, Teatro Gentile – Fabriano, Italy and Festivals in "Open Air" in Italy: Festival Busetto - Busetto – Parma, Festival San Giovanne Valdarno, Arezzo Spello – Perugia, Montecatini Terme – Pistola, Siena Chianciano Terme – Siena, Cortona – Aenzzo, Padova Aimini Diamonte … AND over 150 major performing arts venues throughout the USA including ... Cerritos, CA Center for Performing Arts, McCallum Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, Vilar Center for the Arts, Beaver Creek, CO, Boston’s Emerson Majestic Theatre, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Stanley Perf. Arts Center, Utica, NY, The Fox Theatre, Atlanta GA, Moran Theatre at Jacksonville PAC Jacksonville, FL, Naples Philharmonic Center, Naples, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, FL, Van Wezel Perf. Arts Center, Sarasota, FL Barbara Mann Perf. Arts. Hall, Ft. Myers, FL Broward Center for the Perf. Arts, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Touhill Perf. Arts Center, St. Louis, MO, Merrill Auditorium, Portland, ME, Koger Center for Perf. Arts Columbia, SC, Galliard Auditorium, Charleston, SC, Peace Center for the Perf. Arts, Greenville, SC, Peabody Auditorium, Daytona, FL, The Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL, The Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD, Coranado Theatre, Rockford, IL, Shea’s Perf, Arts Center, Buffalo, NY, The Lila Cockrell Theatre, San Antonio, TX Grand Opera House, Wilmington, DE, and performances of opera for over a dozen American regional opera companies: Syracuse Opera, Opera Rochester, Opera Delaware, Augusta Opera, Palmetto Opera - SC, Opera New Hampshire, Golden Gate Opera, Springfield Regional Opera, Palm Desert Opera Guild, Shreveport Opera, Opera Asheville, NC, Opera Tampa Bay, Gold Coast Opera, Baltimore Opera Theatre, Nickel City Opera, Opera Niagara, NY, CT Lyric Opera, Boheme Opera NJ Light Opera NJ and Wichita Grand Opera. Mr. Lalov has designed sets and costumes and staged full-scale opera productions for: Puccini's LA BOHEME, TOSCA and MADAMA BUTTERFLY, Verdi's LA TRAVIATA, IL TROVATORE, RIGOLETTO, AIDA, and NABUCCO, Mozart's DON GIOVANNI, LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAI, and DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, Bizet's CARMEN, Wagner's LOHENGRIN, Lehar's MERRY WIDOW, Donizetti's LUCIA DI LAMMERMORE and L'ELISIR D'AMORE, Strauss’s DIE FLEDERMAUS, Rossini's IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, Mascagni's CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Leoncavallo's I PAGLIACCI and Mussorgsky's BORIS GODUNOV to outstanding critical acclaim from both European and American critics.

Maestro Adrian Sylveen – CONDUCTOR/HARPSICHORD

Award-winning musician Adrian Sylveen enjoys a performing career in the United States and Europe. He is an artistic director of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the Connecticut Lyric Opera. Mr. Sylveen has conducted approximately 35 operatic titles and has an extensive orchestral repertoire. He has conducted and performed concerts in the United States, Poland, Italy, Israel, Cuba, Switzerland, Germany, and the former Soviet Union and worked with such ensembles as Israel Chamber Orchestra, Holguín Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra da Camera di Greve-In-Chianti, Olsztyn Philharmonic, Elbląg Chamber Orchestra, Central Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra, and others. From 2011 to 2013, he was a conductor for the Magnum Opus series with the New Britain Symphony – The Connecticut Virtuosi. He is also a founder of the Classical Orchestra of Pila in Poland and the newly formed, Hartford-based Moniuszko Choir (2016). Mr. Sylveen is a winner of prizes at competitions in Europe and the United States. He received the American Council for Polish Culture Primus Inter Pares Award from the President of the Republic of Poland. He received permanent US residence for “Extraordinary Abilities in the Arts.” Mr. Sylveen holds Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music; he is also a graduate of the Paderewski Music Academy in Poznan, Poland (diploma with distinction). He had participated in several international Festivals in Weimar, Łancut, and others. Since 2012 he has been on the faculty of the Virtuosi Summer Music Institute in Farmington, Connecticut, and, since 2015, an Artistic Director of the Greve Opera Academy and Chamber Music Festival in Greve-In-Chianti, Italy. Adrian Sylveen collaborated with many exceptional artists, such as Brunilda Myftaraj, Eckart Lorenzen, Luca Rinaldi, Theodore Arm, Jurate Svedaite, Carl Tanner, Michael Wade Lee, Stefan Szkafarowsky, Neal Larrabee, Dmitri Novgorodsky, Rafael Lewandowski, Andre Anweiler, Martin Bresnik, Jadwiga Kotnowska, Marzena Diakun, Grzegorz Dabrowski, Daniel Borowski, Thomas A. Labadorf, Michael Gatonska, Volcan Orhon, Robert DeMaine, Erik Rousi, and many others …