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:

B. Britten The Turn of the screw

Based on Henry James's classic Gothic novella, Britten's chilling chamber opera follows a young governess who believes two orphaned children are being haunted by the ghosts of their former caretakers. A haunting psychological thriller that leaves audiences questioning what is real.
Staged, in costume, in English with English supertitles. Accompanied by BCO orchestra directed by BCO Artistic Director Dr. Katerina Souvorova

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Prologue, Peter Quint: James Mancuso
Governess: Sara Kennedy
Mrs. Grose: Emma Jones
Miss Jessel: Laura Corina Sanders
Miles: Lindsey Paradise
Flora: Amanda Densmoor.
Stage Director: Zane Alcorn

Sunday, October 4, 3:00pm
Saturday, October 10, 7:30pm
Sunday, October 11, 3:00pm
JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets:$40

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G. C. Menotti. Amahl and the Night Visitors

A heartwarming, one-act Christmas opera that tells the story of a disabled, poor shepherd boy and his mother who host the Three Kings on their way to Bethlehem. Premiering in 1951, it holds the distinction of being the first opera specifically composed for television in the United States. Staged, in costume, in English with English supertitles.
Staged, in costume, accompanied by BCO orchestra directed by BCO Artistic Director Dr. Katerina Souvorova

toast Photo from Bel Cantanti Opera's production of 2024.

Mother: Ema Mitrovic
Amahl: Elise Prelogar
King Kaspar: Peter Burroughs
King Melchior: Michael Nansel
King Baltazaar: John Collins
Page: Zack Barger
Shepherds, dancers.

Friday, December 18, 7:30pm
Saturday, December 19, 3:00pm
Saturday, December 19, 7:30pm
Sunday, December 20, 3:00pm
The Writer's Center
4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD 20815

Tickets: Adult $40, Child under 7: $25

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A. Rubinstein The Demon

Love, temptation, and eternal damnation collide in Anton Rubinstein's The Demon, a magnificent Russian Romantic opera based on Mikhail Lermontov's immortal poem. As a fallen angel falls hopelessly in love with the mortal Princess Tamara, his longing for redemption unleashes a powerful and heartbreaking drama that transcends heaven and earth.
Sung in Russian with English supertitles. Staged, in costume, accompanied by BCO orchestra directed by BCO Artistic Director Dr. Katerina Souvorova

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Demon: Rob McGinness
Tamara: TBD
Angel: Hunter Patrick Shaner
Prince Sinodal: James Mancuso
Prince Gudal: TBD
Tamara's Nurse: Hannah Wardell
Sinodal's Servant: Allen Adair
Courier: TBD
Stage Director: Dennis Oliveira

Saturday, March 6, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 7, 3:00pm
Saturday, March 13, 7:30pm
Sunday, March 14, 3:00pm
JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets:$40

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G. Rossini L'italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)

Gioachino Rossini's sparkling two-act dramma giocoso, composed in an astonishing 27 days when the composer was just 21 years old, is bursting with virtuosic arias, exhilarating ensembles, and Rossini's irresistible comic brilliance. The opera is a joyous blend of romance, adventure, and laughter. Turning the traditional "rescue opera" on its head, L'italiana in Algeri follows the fearless Isabella as she journeys to Algiers to rescue her beloved Lindoro, outwitting the vain and bumbling Mustafa with intelligence, charm, and irresistible wit. A whirlwind of dazzling music and sparkling humor, it remains one of the greatest masterpieces of opera buffa.
Staged, in costume, accompanied by BCO orchestra directed by BCO Artistic Director Dr. Katerina Souvorova. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

toast Photo from Bel Cantanti Opera's production of 2011.

Isabella: Junyue Gong
Mustafa: Christian Isaiah Simmons
Lindoro: Max Wrobel-Cook, Douglas Culclasure
Taddeo: TBD
Elvira: Ingrid Kuribayashi
Zulma: TBD
Haly: John Collins
Stage Director: Hannah Shanefield

Saturday, May 1, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 2, 3:00pm
Saturday, May 8, 7:30pm
Sunday, May 9, 3:00pm
JCC of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd, Rockville, MD

Tickets:$40

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P. Viardot Cendrillon (Cinderella)

Cendrillon by Pauline Viardot is a luminous chamber operetta based on Charles Perrault's beloved Cinderella tale, reimagined with extraordinary tenderness and imagination by the legendary mezzo-soprano and composer at the age of 83. Bathed in warmth, elegance, and lyrical beauty, the opera unfolds like a dream, blending Italianate bel canto, French refinement, and delicate humor into a score of glowing melodies and intimate emotional charm. We also incorporate mazurkas and waltzes by Frederic Chopin, a close friend of Viardot, adding an extra layer of poetry, intimacy, and romance to this expanded vision of the story.
Staged, in costume, sung in French with English supertitles.

toast Photo from Bel Cantanti Opera's production of 2016.

Marie: Mary Burke Barber
Le Baron de Pictordu: Michael Nansel
Armelinde: Hannah Wardell
Maguelonne: Bayley Bower
La Fee: TBD
Le Prince Charmant: James Mancuso
Le Comte Barigoule: Peter Burroughs
Stage Director: Ryan Colbert

Saturday, June 5, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 6, 3:00pm
Saturday, June 12, 7:30pm
Sunday, June 13, 3:00pm
The Writer's Center
4508 Walsh St, Bethesda, MD 20815

Tickets: Adult $40, Child under 7: $25

Reserve your tickets

Past 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.

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Aundi Maria Moore, Emily Casey, Mary Burke Barber: soprano
Ema 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

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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Video
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.

enfant Video

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