Florentine Opera

The Florentine Opera Company is Wisconsin's oldest fully professional performing arts organization and the sixth-oldest opera company in the United States. The company presents on three staged productions per season largely from the standard operatic repertoire. Performances take place at the Marcus Center in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

William Florescu has been General Director since 2005. Joseph Rescigno is the Principal Conductor & Artistic Advisor, having served since 1981. Scott S. Stewart has acted as the Chorus Master and Associate Conductor since 1978.

Notable performers at the Florentine Opera have included Diane Alexander, June Aderson, Angela Brown, José Carreras, James Courtney, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Plácido Domingo, Dale Duesing, Marisa Galvany, Anthony Dean Griffey, Jerome Hines, Spiro Malas, James McCracken, Sherrill Milnes, Jan Peerce, Luciano Pavarotti, Ewa Podles, Samuel Ramey, Beverly Sills, Susanne Marsee, and Richard Tucker.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra serves as the orchestra in performances by the Florentine Opera.

The Florentine Opera is a charter member organization of the United Performing Arts Fund and receives funds from the City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin, as well as support from corporations, foundations and individuals. The Florentine Opera Company is a member of Opera America.

History

The Florentine Opera was founded in 1933 by John-David Anello. At that time, the group was called the Italian Opera Chorus,...
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