Italian Opera Dream is an emotional journey through the masterpieces of the great Italian opera tradition, featuring music by composers such as Verdi, Puccini, Mascagni, and Cilea. The concert celebrates an artistic and cultural heritage that continues to captivate and move audiences worldwide through its powerful expression of universal human emotions.
The project takes on special significance following UNESCO’s recognition of Italian opera singing as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023. Italian Opera Dream is therefore a heartfelt tribute to the richness and vitality of Italian culture, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the power of the human voice and the timeless beauty of music.
BIO
Federica Di Rocco is an Italian lyric soprano who graduated with top honors from prestigious Italian conservatories. She further developed her vocal skills through masterclasses with renowned figures in the international opera world, establishing herself as a versatile performer with a particular affinity for Puccini’s repertoire.
She has performed a variety of operatic roles, including Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, and Musetta in La Bohème, which she debuted in 2025. Her career has taken her to distinguished opera houses and international festivals, where she has appeared in numerous concerts and operatic productions.
An award-winning artist, she has received recognition in several national and international competitions, including the Manhattan Music Competition in New York. In 2024, she was awarded the XX Amore per l’Abruzzo Prize in recognition of her contribution to promoting the Italian belcanto tradition worldwide.
Highlights of her career include the New Year’s Concert at Teatro del Giglio in Lucca as part of the Puccini centenary celebrations, a prestigious performance at Buckingham Palace in London in July 2024, and a concert honoring Giacomo Puccini at the European Parliament in Brussels in November 2024.
Her repertoire ranges from Baroque music to contemporary opera, encompassing sacred music and chamber vocal works. She continues to pursue an active international concert career, performing in the United States, including New York and New Jersey, in 2026. In autumn 2026, she is scheduled to appear in a major recital at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, dedicated to peace and renewal.
Michael Fennelly is an internationally acclaimed pianist and conductor, praised by The New York Times for his flair, energy, and captivating performances. He gained widespread recognition for completing George Gershwin’s unfinished setting of Rhapsody in Blue for solo piano, orchestra, and symphonic chorus, which premiered at Lincoln Center in New York.
As a conductor, he has led numerous opera productions and contemporary premieres, collaborating with prestigious international festivals and musical institutions. His extensive concert career has taken him to all seven continents, with performances at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, as well as collaborations with distinguished artists and orchestras.
Beyond performing, he co-founded and co-directs the Athena Music Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing exceptional musical performances to diverse audiences and nurturing emerging talent. His solo piano recordings include The Legend of Faust, Debut, and Grand Tour.
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