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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."

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"Bel Cantanti… 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 … makes the special magic of opera happen.”
Washington Post
“… an absolute delight for opera aficionados and the perfect opportunity for timid newbies to be surprised at just how much fun opera can be.”

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

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"Bel Cantanti…shows a serious, focused orientation, high ambition and significant potential."

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" 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:

Amahl and the Night Visitors

A Christmas tale about a poor crippled boy Amahl meeting Three Magi on their way to Bethlehem on Christmas Eve. Everybody's favorite one-act opera by G.C. Menotti. Performed in English, fully staged, in costume, accompanied on piano by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova.

Amahl: Darryl Lillian Johnson, Nika Nickinson, Mother : Antona Yost
King Kaspar: Peter Burroughs, King Melchior: Michael Nansel, King Balthazar: Elliot Matheny, Page: Ben Ross.

Schepherds, vilagers: Missy Dyette, Katherine and Reba Winstead, Lena Goldweber, Toma Fritz, Morghan Joi Pastrana, Heather Fetrow, Erica Zimmermann, Sandra Gust, Clarence Baney, Benjamin Riniker, Jonathan Kahn.
Dancers: Shonnita Johnson and Harmony Porter.

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Fridays, December 8 & 15 at 7:30pm
Sundays, December 10 & 17, at 3:00pm

St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church,
5450 Massachusetts Ave. Bethesda, MD

Tickets: $40, Child under 12: $25
Tickets can be bought online through Eventbrite and at the doors.
Buy Tickets online
Tickets information : (240) 230-7372

Winter Sings 1! New Year's Champagne Toast!

Community concerts at St. Dunstan's Episcopal church in Bethesda

Come celebrate the arrival of the New Year with us at St. Dunstan's Church!
On Fri Dec 29, 2023, starting at 19:30, we will gather to toast to the exciting times ahead.
Located at St. Dunstan's Church, this beautiful soiree promises an unforgettable evening filled with joy, laughter, and good company. We will bid farewell to the past year and welcome the new one with a sparkling celebration.

Indulge in the finest arias and duets from Operas, Operettas, Musical Theatre and Jazz and savor delectable menu "a la carte" of popular songs specially prepared for this occasion.
Participate in a fun photo contest. Enjoy the festive atmosphere that only comes with the turning of a new year.
Whether you come with friends, family, or on your own, everyone is welcome to join our soiree. So mark your calendars and get ready to toast to a remarkable 2024!

Catherine Wethington, Emily Casey, Melissa Chavez, Allan Palacios Chan, Peter Burroughs, Michael Nansel.

Accompanied by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova on piano.

Future concerts:
Winter Sings 2! From Rusia with Love! Friday, January 26, 7:30pm
Spring Sings ! Bel Canto Gala! Friday, March 1, 7:30pm
Springs Sings 2! Friday, April 26, 7:30pm
Summer Sings ! Friday, May 31, 7:30pm

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Past concerts (information and video)

Tickets: $40
Tickets can be bought online through Eventbrite and at the doors.
Buy Tickets online
Tickets information : (240) 230-7372

Aleko & Gianni Schicchi

A beautiful duet, double bill of Rachmaninoff's one act opera-drama Aleko, called Russian Cavaleria Rusticana and a hilarious Puccini's comedy Gianni Schicchi. Performed in Russian and Italian with English supertitles. Fully staged, in costume, with orchestra. Conducted by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova.

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Aleko: John Allen Nelson, Zemphira: Zoe Gramagin, Young Gypsy: Nicholas Hudak,
Old Gypsy: Jeremy Harr, Old Gypsy Woman: Sarah Nordin

Gianni Schicchi: Jeremy Harr, Rinuccio: Nicholas Hudak, Lauretta: Emily Casey
Simone; John Allen Nelson, Betto Tyler Putnam,
Nella: Catherine Wethington, La Cesca: Sarah Nordin, Zita: Taylor Boykins,
Marco Henrique Cavalho, Gherardo: TBD, Amantio/Spinelocci Joseph Wilson,
Guccio/Pinnelino Eric Gramatges, Jonathan Kahn, Gherardino: Nika Nickinson.

Saturdays, February 10,17, at 7:30pm
Sundays, February 11,18, at 3:00pm

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets: $40, Group of ten and more: $35,
Tickets can be bought online through Eventbrite and at the doors.
Buy Tickets online
Tickets information : (240) 230-7372

Les Contes d'Offenbach

The Tales of Offenbach. Operetta Gala.

The third annual celebration of the Kings of Operetta. After presenting the operettas of Imre Kalman in 2022 and Franz Lehar in 2023, we share with you music of another master of the operetta, Jacques Offenbach.
Bel Cantanti's singers and Four Season Dancers, directed by Elena Indrokova Jones will perform the excerpts from the composer's famous and little-known works. A brilliant and unforgettable tribute to the genius of French operetta.

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Saturdays, March 16,23, at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 17, at 3:00pm

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets: $40, Group of ten and more: $35,
Tickets can be bought online through Eventbrite and at the doors.
Buy Tickets online
Tickets information : (240) 230-7372

La Sonnambula

A beautiful bel canto jewel by V. Bellini. Performed in Italian with English supertitles. Fully staged, in costume, with orchestra. Conducted by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova.

Amina: Alina Tamborini, Catherine Wethington, Elvino: Allan Palacios Chan, Aaron McKone
Rodolfo: Tyler Putnam, Lisa: Jennifer Cherest Flory.

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Saturdays, May 11,18 at 7:30pm
Sunday, May 12, at 3:00pm
Sunday, May 19, at 6:00pm

Bender JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets: $40, Group of ten and more: $35,
Tickets can be bought online through Eventbrite and at the doors.
Buy Tickets online
Tickets information : (240) 230-7372

Past Performances:

Autumn Sings 2! Mozart and More


Community concerts at St. Dunstan's Episcopal church in Bethesda

Kaleidoscope of famous arias from the operas Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi Fan Tutte, Don Giovanni,
La Clemenza di Tito, Idomeneo, and Zaide.

Catherine Wethington, Claire Galloway, Avanti Dey, Rob McGinness, and Melissa Chavez.
Story Narration: Melissa Chavez.

Accompanied by BCO Chanber ensemble:Kathryn Farenish - flute, Theresa Cigan - clarinet, Christine Kharazian - violin, Hyejin Kim - violin, Ken Ding - cello and BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova on piano.

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Past concerts (information and video)

Carmen

Abridged opera, performed in French with English spoken dialogues, fully staged , in costume, with orchestra. Conducted by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova. Stage Director Catrin Davies.

Carmen: Sarah Nordin, Don Jose: Nicholas Hudak, Escamillo: Eric McConnell, Micaela: Emily Casey, Ashlyn Rock, Frasquita: Leah Brzysky, Mercedes; Karoline Guerine, Remendado: Aaron McKone; Dancairo: Joseph Wilson, Zuniga: Tyler Putnam; Lillas Pastia: Zain Shariff.

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