History: The Formation of Opera Classica Europa
In the summer of 1999, after many years of working in various summer opera festivals, Tenor Michael Vaccaro had the impulse to produce his very own opera production. The historical Fortress Hohenstein, near Bad Schwalbach, seemed to him that it would make an exceptional opera stage. Michael set out to make this a reality, and on November 24, 1999 produced his first concert there with the title "Oper auf der Burg" (Opera in the Fortress). Participants included Sue Patchell (Metropolitan Opera New York) and Brett Hamilton as well as Romana and Michael Vaccaro, accompanied by pianist Erika Le Roux.
Through many further artistic friendships, and the addition of Keith Ikaia-Purdy, Juri Batukov, Gérard Le Roux and numerous other opera singers from Europe, Asia and America, several more concerts were produced in the subsequent two years. In the summer of 2001, the first major event with orchestra was produced under the baton of Carl Robert Helg.
Due to the great successes of these concerts, Michael Vaccaro's dream was finally fulfilled on August 1, 2003 with a production of Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca" under the open sky, in the romantic setting of Fortress Hohenstein. The lead roles were sung by Eduardo Villa (Metropolitan Opera New York), Romana Vaccaro and Juri Batukov. The soloists, along with the Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Carl Robert Helg, thrilled both press and public with their strong performances.
What began this evening as "L'Opera Piccola" has grown today into internationally-known "Opera Classica Europa," with performances in some of the most beautiful historical venues that Germany and Europe have to offer.
The basic idea for the formation of Opera Classica Europa was based on the more than 35-year long friendship between Michael and the famous opera singer Licia Albanese. Through this outstanding artist, he met many legendary singers of the opera world such as soprano Stella Roman. So often would these singers tell Michael of their experiences at the Met, as well as offer valuable insights, that they stay indelibly in his memory. As a voice student of Madame Albanese from 1977 to 1982, he was also afforded opportunities to sing together in concerts with these world-famous singers.
These once-in-a-lifetime experiences are what inspired in Michael a true passion for opera that he, to this day, has never lost. Also, because of his deep thankfulness for his teacher Licia Albanese, it has always been a goal of Michael's to help establish and support young opera singers. As the Director of Opera Classica Europa, he now has the opportunity to pursue that mission by giving young talent the opportunity to perform before an audience, as well as helping them build a career.
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