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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."

Washington Post
"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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Recent Seasons


Season 2023-2024


Season 2022-2023


Season 2021-2022


Season 2020-2021


Season 2019-2020




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Season 2023-2024

Die Fledermaus

A brilliant comedy by Johann Strauss II. Performed in English with English supertitles. Fully staged, in costume, with orchestra. Conducted by BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova.

Adele: Alina Tamborini, Rosalinde: Margarita Parsamyan, Eisenstein: Aaron McKone,
Prince Orlovsky: Hunter Patrick Shaner, Falke: Tyler Putnam, Alfred: James Mancuso,
Blind: Nicholas Carratura, Frank: Andrew Boisvert.

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Die Fledermaus and MORE!

Alina Tamborini, Margarita Parsamyan, Emily Casey, Bella Cadirola, Erica Timmerman, Aaron McKone, James Mancuso, Nicholas Carratura, Hunter Patrick Shaner.
Accompanied by BCO Artistic Director, Katerina Souvorova, piano.

Les Contes d'Offenbach

The Tales of Offenbach. Operetta Gala.

Emily Casey, Catherine Wethington, Melanie Ashkar
Nicholas Hudak, Robin McGinnes, Michael Nansel, Allan Chan.

Four Season Dancers, directed by Elena Indrokova Jones.
Narrator: Dale Dwyer
BCO Artistic Director, Katerina Souvorova, piano.

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Aleko & Gianni Schicchi

A beautiful duet, double bill of Rachmaninoff's one act opera-drama Aleko, called Russian Cavalleria 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.

Stage director: Muriel Von Villas, Costume designer: Tessa Grippaudo, Lighting designer: Trevor Pierce Stoneburner, Set designer and Production coordinator: Peter Joshua Burroughs.

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

Gianni Schicchi: Jeremy Harr, Rinuccio: Nicholas Hudak, Lauretta: Emily Casey
Simone: John Allen Nelson, Betto: Tyler Putnam, Zita: Laura Zahn,
Nella: Catherine Wethington, La Cesca: Sarah Nordin, Marco: Henrique Carvalho, Gherardo: Joseph Kaz
Amantio/Spinelloccio
: Joshua Bates, Pinellino: Eric Gramatges, Guccio: John Solomon Collins,
Gherardino: Roi Kim, Buoso: Dale Dyer.

Tribute to Russian Opera. ALEKO, ONEGIN and MORE!


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

Eugene Onegin, Iolanta, Pique Dame by P. Tchaikovsky and Aleko by S. Rachmaninoff.
Zoya Gramagin, Emily Casey, Laura Zahn, Rob McGinness, Nicholas Hudak, John Allen Nelson.
Accompanied by BCO Artistic Director, Katerina Souvorova, piano.

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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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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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