performers
Carlo Montanaro
Founder of OperaWebinar and Music Director of Teatr Wielki in Warsaw from 2011 to 2014, Italian conductor Carlo Montanaro was discovered by Zubin Mehta, who recommended him to the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, where he improved his skills under Leopold Hager, Erwin Acél, and Yugi Yuasa. Since 2001, Montanaro has conducted opera and concerts in major venues including Teatro dell’Opera in Rome, Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Fondazione Arena in Verona, Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Teatro Comunale in Florence, Fondazione Arturo Toscanini in Parma and Teatro Verdi in Trieste, a collaboration which led to a Japanese tour with the orchestra.
Highlights in the recent seasons include his debuts at Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Korean National Opera, Sydney Opera House, and San Francisco Opera. In concert, he has appeared with the Cincinnati Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Hungarian National Philharmonic, and Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Most recently, Montanaro conducted Tosca and Fedora at Oper Frankfurt, Lucia di Lammermoor at Teatro di San Carlo, La Juive and Madama Butterfly in Sydney, Nabucco and Lucia di Lammermoor at the Deutsche Oper, Madama Butterfly at Palm Beach Opera, and La traviata at Seattle Opera. In addition, made his debut with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Future engagements include Aida at the Deutsche Oper, Norma at Palm Beach Opera, and Pagliacci at Seattle Opera.
Performances
Festival Napa Valley kicks off its 18th summer season in grand style with a concert featuring a world premiere and three internationally renowned stars. South African soprano Pretty Yende, who sang at the coronation of King Charles III last year, joins tenor Jonathan Tetleman to perform a selection of favorite opera arias and duets under the baton of Maestro Carlo Montanaro. Sol Two by composer Yang Bao, who captivated audiences at the Festival last summer, receives its world premiere.
The Abduction from the Seraglio
Experience thrilling onstage alchemy when soprano Brenda Rae and tenor Michele Angelini perform Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. The celebrated stars are joined by bass David Soar, Volti Chorale and five members of BODYTRAFFIC. Carlo Montanaro leads Festival Orchestra Napa in this comedic tale of forbidden love. Jean-Romain Vesperini directs.