Welcome to Bel Cantanti, an opera company within the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area devoted to giving performance experience to both seasoned and aspiring professionals. Between the beautiful singing and glorious music, you will find yourself thoroughly captivated.

"Bel Cantanti Opera continues to be one of the best kept musical secrets in the Washington area."

AllArtsreview4u

"The future of opera as fun rather than spectacle or museum piece, lies with such groups as Bel Cantanti Opera."

Washington Post

"Bel CantantiЕ reaffirmed the belief that we are living in a golden age of opera and the hope that opera in America has a promising feature. Bel Cantanti Е makes the special magic of opera happen.Ф
Washington Post

УЕ an absolute delight for opera aficionados and the perfect opportunity for timid newbies to be surprised at just how much fun opera can be.Ф

Washington Times

"Bel Cantanti Opera has emerged as a great showcase for area talent."

Arlington Weekly News TV

"Bel CantantiЕshows a serious, focused orientation, high ambition and significant potential."

Washington Post

" Bel Cantanti reminds us that our region's smaller companies are arguably smarter, better stewards of the art form, spending more wisely than the big-budget houses, presenting sturdy, smaller-scaled evenings of opera..."

Tom Huizenga. Washington Post, September 27, 2010

Upcoming Performances:

American Promise

Celebrate the spirit, struggle, and resilience of a nation through music in American Promise, a sweeping tribute to the American story. In honor of USA 250, this dynamic program weaves together beloved arias, duets, and ensembles from American opera, operetta, musical theatre, and song, brought vividly to life by acclaimed artists of Bel Cantanti and the vibrant Four Seasons Dancers.
The journey begins with hope: the voices of newcomers arriving in America, filled with dreams of opportunity and a better life. But the path is not without its trials. Through powerful musical selections, the program explores the challenges, injustices, and broken promises that have shaped the history of the nation. These deeply human stories reveal both the cost of the American dream and the courage required to pursue it.
In the end, American Promise rises toward renewal and unity, celebrating the resilience of a people and the enduring power of hope. Along the way, audiences will be delighted by iconic favorites that showcase the richness and diversity of musical voice of America.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon or evening of storytelling through song,honoring the past, reflecting on the present, and celebrating the enduring promise of America. Let Bel Cantanti take you on a journey you will not soon forget.

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Aundi Maria Moore, Emily Casey, Mary Burke Barber: soprano
Eva Mitrovic : mezzo soprano
James Mancuso, Peter Burroughs: tenor
Kevin Short, Matthew Cossack, Jacob Plaisted bass-baritone
Four Seasons Dancers, directed by Elena Indrokova-Jones.

TJ Maistrose: percussions

Guzal Isametdinova: piano
BCO Artistic Director: Katerina Souvorova: piano

Friday, May 15, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 17, 3:00pm

The Writer's Center (4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD)
Buy tickets

Past Performances:

Princes, Queens and Demons

Russian Opera-Gala

Arias, Duets and Ensembles from P. Tchaikovsky's The Queen of Spades, A. Borodin's Prince Igor and A. Rubinstein's Demon.

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Nina Mutalifu, Esther Tonea: soprano;
Hannah Wardell, Anastasia Sidorova, Valerie Filloux: mezzo soprano;
Ryan Lustgarten: tenor; Rob McGinness, Andrew Payne: baritone.
Four Seasons Dancers, directed by Elena Indrokova-Jones.

Tatiana Loisha: piano; Igor Zubkovsky: cello; Kathryn Farenish: flute.
BCO Artistic Director: Katerina Souvorova.

February 28, March 1, at Bender JCC of Greater Washington (6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD)

My Genius, my Angel, my Friend

A recital featuring Russian operas and songs by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Anton Rubinstein.

Zoya Gramagin, soprano, Nina Mutalifu, soprano, Hannah Wardell, mezzo soprano,
Ryan Lustgarten, tenor, Rob McGinness, baritone, Christian Simmons, bass.

BCO Artistic Director, pianist: Katerina Souvorova, Igor Zubkovsky, cello.

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The Snow Queen

Fairy Tale Family Musical by H. C. Andersen.
Teaching children opera.
Bel Cantanti opera's collaboration with The Four Season Dancers and Romez3Arts.

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Credits

Storyteller: Peter Burroughs, Grandmother: Mizuho Takeshita, Melissa Chavez, The Snow Queen: Hannah Wardell, Griselda: Valerie Filloux, Cindy Harris Elkins, The King: Michael Nansel, The Arctic Bird: Leigh Wirth Dencker.
Villagers, Snowflakes, Flowers, Arctic Birds, Robbers, Bel Cantanti Children's Studio, The Four Season Dancers.

Choreographer, Elena Indrokova Jones.
Play Writer: Jane Barbara.
Music and Artistic Director, pianist: Katerina Souvorova

Songs of Romania. Nicolae Bretan

A concert of Romanian vocal music.
Presented by Bel Cantanti Opera and Nicolae Bretan Music Foundation.

Romanian-American soprano Esther Tonea , baritone Rob McGinness
and BCO Artistic Director, pianist Katerina Souvorova
join together for an unforgettable evening of Romanian classical music by Nicolae Bretan, Tiberiu Brediceanu, George Cavadia, George Grigoriu, and more.

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L'Enfant et les Sortileges

L'Heure Espagnole

Double bill of one-act operas by Maurice Ravel. This performance commemorates the composer's 150th birthday.

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L'Enfant et les Sortileges Video
L'Heure Espagnole Video

Child: Jordan Seguin-Gascoigne, Mother: Mairin Srygley, Armchair: Robert Frazier, Chair: Samantha Sosa, Clock: Rob McGinness, Wedgwood Teapot: James Mancuso, Matteo Adams, Chinese Cup: Mairin Srygley, Ann Fogler, Fire: Tess Ottinger, Oznur Tuluoglu, Princess: Samanta Sosa, Tess Ottinger, Shepherdess: Samantha Sosa, Shepherd: Maggie Ramsey, Little old man: Matteo Adams, James Mancuso, Black cat: Rob McGinness, White cat: Maggie Ramsey, Tree: Robert Frazier, Dragonfly: Mairin Srygley, Nightingale: Tess Ottinger, Oznur Tuluoglu, Widower bat: Samantha Sosa, Squirrel: Ann Fogler, Frog: James Mancuso, Matteo Adams.

Torquemada: Matteo Adams, Concepcion: Monique Galvao, Gonzalve: James Mancuso, Ramiro: Rob McGinness, Don Inigo Gomez: Robert Frazier.

The Writer's Center (4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD)

Bel Cantanti Opera

Benefit Concert

Support the Arts: A Special Fundraising Concert by Bel Cantanti Opera

Soprano: Emily Casey, Tenor: James Mancuso, Baritone: Rob McGinness. BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova, piano, TJ Maistros: percussions. The Four Seasons Dancers are directed by Elena Indrokova Jones.

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Sunday, August 24, at 3:00pm
Rosborough Theater, Asbury Methodist Village

Admission is free, with generous at-will donations gratefully accepted at the door.
Your contribution directly supports Bel Cantanti's mission to bring high-quality, accessible opera to our community.

Reserve your tickets

Information: tickets@belcantanti.com