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."

Arlington Weekly News TV

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

Washington Post

Recent Seasons

Season 2023-2024

Die Fledermaus

Die Fledermaus and MORE!

The Tales of Offenbach

Aleko & Gianni Schicchi

Tribute to Russian Opera

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Mozart and More

Carmen

Season 2022-2023

Franz Lehar - King of Operetta

La Cenerentola

Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail

Amahl and the Night Visitors

I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Backpack of Joy!

Season 2021-2022

Die Schone Mullerin

Imre Kalman - Mister X of Operetta

Season 2020-2021

The Little Match Girl

The Magic Flute

Season 2019-2020

Briscula the Magician

Season 2022-2023

Franz Lehar - King of Operetta

After presenting last's year's concert celebrating Imre Kalman - Mister X of Operetta, we present our second master of the operetta genre: Austro Hungarian composer Franz Lehar. A gala concert of well-known and obscure operettas of the composer.

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La Cenerentola

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Interview with Director
Slideshow
Angelina: Emily Hughes, Don Ramiro: Miles Herr, Dandini: Rob McGinness, Don Magnifico Paul Hill,
Clorinda: Kelly Curtin, Tisbe: Elizebeth Barnes, Alidoro: Andrew Boisvert.

From Heart to Heart.

A Celebration of Rachmaninoff's 150th Anniversary

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Emily Casey, soprano; Hunter Shaner, countertenor; Christian Simmons, bass; Rob McGinness, baritone.

Igor Zubkovsky, cello
Katerina Souvorova, Director of Bel Cantanti Opera and piano.

Friday, March 31, 7:30pm
Sunday, April 2, 3:00pm

Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail

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Konstanze: Emily Casey, Blonde: Catherine Wethington, Robin Steitz,
Osmin: Kevin Short, Belmonte: Chris Plaas, Pedrillo: Daniel Sampson, Bassa Selim: Peter Joshua Burroughs.

Amahl and the Night Visitors

A Christmas favorite by G.C. Menotti. A story about a crippled boy joining The Three Magi to go and see a newborn baby Jesus. Staged, in costumes, accompanied on piano. In English.

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King Kaspar: Peter Burrough, King Melchior: Michael Nansel, King Balthazar: Christian Simmons; Mother: Melanie Ashkar, Amahl: Nika Nickinson, Darryl Lillian Johnson. The Page: Xavier Joseph.

I Capuleti e i Montecchi

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Immortal story of Romeo and Juliette told through the music of the master of Italian bel canto, Vincenzo Bellini. Performed in Italian, in costume, accompanied by BCO chamber orchestra,
directed by BCO Artistic director, Dr. Katerina Souvorova

Romeo: Laura Zahn, Giulietta: Emily Casey,
Tebaldo: Nicholas Hudak, Lorenzo: Andrew Boisvert, Capellio: Casey Germain .

Backpack of Joy!

Benefit concert for Ukrainian Children.

An unique concert of classical music performed by American and Ukrainian singers.

Emily Casey, Catherine Wethington,
Galina Ivannikova, Margaret Efimenko, Elizebeth Barnes,
Peter Burrough, Han Jeongwook,
Michael Nansel, Gustavo Ahualli
Nika Averbukh.

BCO Artistic Director Katerina Souvorova at the piano.

Fresh baked pastries from Busy Beaver Bakery in Baltimore.