Acerca de mí
As an opera conductor, I am a specialist in 19th Century Italian Bel Canto opera, and an internationally noted specialist in the 70 operas of Gaetano Donizetti. I have conducted the American premieres and the Washington premieres of many Donizetti rarieties such as Maria di Rohan, Marin Faliero, Poliuto, La Favorita, and Lucrezia Borgia. This great composer from Bergamo was by fathe most prolific of all of the great Italian opera composers, however only about 5 or 6 of his operas remain in the standard repertory. Opera such as Lucia di Lammermoor, L'elisir d'amore, Don Pasquale, La Fille du Regiment, Anna Bolena, and Maria Stuarda. I have spent my career mounting with great success the other 65, but unfortunately forgotten operas, of Donizetti.
Washington, DC audiences are primarily familiar with me from my many performances with the Opera Camerata, the Opera Bel Canto, and the Washington National Opera. I maintain a large vocal studio here in the city, where I train aspiring young artists in the Bel Canto vocal technique, style, language, and repertoire, and coach established artists in the preparation of upcoming performances in the Italian repertoire.
In the meantime I maintain my strength and inspiration by the preparation and consumption of La Cucina Bella ed Il Buon Vino in the company of my beloved friends, family, and circle of artists.
Influencias de Cocina
First and foremost influences have been my wonderful Sicilian family. My grandparents, father, mother, aunts, uncles, cugini and cumpari have all been extraordinary cooks, who steeped me in the centuries old traditions and history of La Cucina Sparacino. I was fortunate indeed!