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Every Opera Company has a great story that paved the way to its establishment. In fact, most stories stem from one person’s childhood passion that eventually evolve into a tangible reality - bringing masterpieces to life through hard work, determination, and persistence.

The Bel Canto Lyric Opera Company was formed to foster an appreciation for "bel canto" style singing in performances with an orchestra. 'Bel Canto' is Italian for "beautiful singing" and is associated with the smooth lines and artistic elegance of late 18th century Italian opera. Singers in our company come from Philadelphia, New Jersey, Delaware and New York areas. Many have trained with vocal director, Marianne Casiello, who founded the company and has taught at the Curtis Institute of Music. Music director and conductor, Salvatore Scarpa, is conductor of the orchestras of Rowan University, assistant conductor of the Pennsylvania Ballet, and an award winning composer and arranger. The company, now in its 26th year, is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a non-profit corporation dedicated to bringing opera to the community. The artists of the company have performed at local colleges and universities including LaSalle, Immaculata, Haverford and the University of the Arts as well as with other leading symphony orchestras. Alumni of our company include Lisa Daltierus who has gone on to an international career that has included debuts with Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera and various European opera houses. For several summers the company has performed an evening of Pops at the Music Pier as well as with Kenneth Square Symphony Orchestra. Bel Canto Lyric Opera Company is the only resident company in the Delaware Valley that performs all their concerts with a full professional symphony orchestra.They perform annually at the Alfonso Cavaliere Memorial Scholarship Fund Concert which benefits gifted music students.