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By Vivien Schweitzer
09 May 2006
Gianna Rolandi has been named director of the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, the Lyric Opera of Chicago's training program for young singers, the company announced.
Rolandi succeeds Richard Pearlman, who died April 8.
The Opera Center's director of vocal studies since May 2002, Rolandi worked closely with Pearlman, and has served as acting director since his death.
Rolandi, who has mentored and taught singers including Nicole Cabell and Dina Kuznetsova since joining the Opera Center, said, "I am thrilled to accept the position of director of the Opera Center. It brings me great joy to continue the legacy of my dear colleague Richard Pearlman, and it is a privilege to play a part in helping these tremendously talented young singers realize their dreams.”
Each year a dozen young singers are selected from approximately 500 applicants to participate in the LOCAA's year-long residency, which includes coaching, master classes, performances, and understudy experience in the Lyric's mainstage productions.
Rolandi, a coloratura soprano, graduated from the Curtis Institute in 1975 and made her operatic debut that year with the New York City Opera as Olympia in The Tales of Hoffmann and as Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos. She sang at the NYCO for the next 15 years in more than 30 roles. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier in 1979. She has sung with many major North American companies, and made her European debut in 1981 at Glyndebourne as Zerbinetta.
Rolandi is married to Andrew Davis, the Lyric’s music director.
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