Tuesday, July 14
| 6:30PM
Festival Napa Valley Stage at Charles Krug
2800 Main Street | St. Helena
Experience the enchantment of La Dolce Vita at this special evening dedicated to the artistic legacy of Luciano Pavarotti, one of the world's most celebrated tenors and cultural ambassadors.
The evening begins at Charles Krug Winery, where the Festival pays tribute to Pavarotti's extraordinary impact on opera and his lasting influence on generations of singers and audiences.
Renowned for the brilliance and power of his voice, as well as his warmth and generosity of spirit, Pavarotti brought opera to vast new audiences throughout his career. He expanded the art form beyond the walls of traditional theaters, reaching millions through televised performances and spectacular open-air concerts in stadiums and arenas worldwide. An advocate for young artists, he was also committed to nurturing the next generation of operatic talent.
Tonight's symphonic program highlights his enduring legacy. Festival alumna Michelle Di Russo, recipient of the 2022 Joel Revzen Conducting Prize, leads Festival Orchestra Napa with internationally acclaimed soprano Jeanette Vecchione Donatti, along with winners of the Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition – presenting a new generation of artists shaped by the standards he set.
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Performers
Internationally acclaimed soprano Jeanette Vecchione-Donatti is a thrill to audiences both in the opera house and on the concert stage. She has graced the stages of the Vienna State Opera, Paris Opera, and Theatre des Champs Elysees, among others, and her accolades include awards from the Licia Albanese Puccini Foundation and Concorso Riccardo Zandonai.
Mezzo-soprano Grace Ryan will receive her Master of Music in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in spring 2026. An accomplished competitor, Ryan won the 2026 International Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Voice Competition and placed in the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition.
Tenor Victor Cardamone has garnered much attention and critical acclaim over the last decade. A four-time regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Cardamone’s accolades include grand finals winner of the 2026 Luciano Pavarotti Foundation International Voice Competition.
Cumhur Görgün, bass, is a Resident Artist at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, PA and a winner of the Opera Naples Luciano Pavarotti Competition. Originally from Turkey, Görgün studied at Istanbul University and at the Rodolfo Celletti Belcanto Academy in Italy.
2022 Joel Revzen Conducting Prizewinner
Argentine-Italian conductor Michelle Di Russo is known for her compelling interpretations and her championing of contemporary music.
Festival Orchestra NAPA is an all-star ensemble of musicians from major international orchestras and faculty from renowned institutions, together with participants from the Frost School at Festival Napa Valley's Blackburn Music Academy. As the central ensemble, the orchestra interacts with nearly every program the festival provides.
Venue
