“I cannot remember a more fulfilling musical moment in my experience that the joy of singing Belmonte with you and dell'Arte! As always, I enjoyed every moment of the role preparation with you... having done so now for professional engagements for which I am contracted... and now the readings – investing in work which is appropriate for the future – there are precious few collaborative coaches and conductors like you in the business.”

“dell'Arte Opera Ensemble headed by Maestro Christopher Fecteau provides practical and essential tools for any serious singer. The public readings and preparatory coachings have given me the opportunity to thoroughly prepare new roles before embarking on them professionally. dell'Arte Opera Ensemble has paved the way for many successes I have had in auditions and onstage.  The Summer Opera Readings Project is a wonderful program for any professional singer wanting to learn a role with excellence.”

 “This past summer, I had the pleasure of singing Violetta in dell’Arte’s reading of La Traviata, conducted by Fiora Contino.  It was extremely beneficial to me to have the opportunity to prepare this stunning Verdi role in a low stress and collegial environment; My role preparation coachings were thorough and enlightening, and Maestra Contino was so willing to share her depth of experience from years of working with great singers and conductors, as well as her own incredibly intuitive insights.  I’ve witnessed the development of the organization with interest and excitement … including a reading of Verdi’s Falstaff at the 92nd Street Y that brought together the cover for Falstaff from the Metropolitan Opera with professional and emerging singers.  Where else would a cover from the Met have an opportunity to perform in a low stress, collaborative environment, and where else would young singers have an opportunity to sing with a principal of such high caliber?”

“…I traveled to New York from Illinois, and can recommend the dell’Arte experience to others who may need to travel.  It is a remarkable bargain considering the level of preparation you can attain in a very short period of time, not to mention spending part of your summer in beautiful Manhattan.”

AUDIENCE BUZZ

“Ambitious repertoire. Up-and-coming singers.  Dynamic conducting.  What's not to like?”

 “dell'Arte gets to the heart of opera by offering high-quality, accessible music in a comfortable setting. Explanations are given in words and in writing, and performers are available after a performance, so the audience is in a position to better understand the stories behind the music, and the music itself. This all leads to a greater appreciation of opera, without the shiny distractions of tuxedos and tiaras. Instead it's the music that steals the show – as it should – with great singing and wonderful music.  In the end that's what gets the applause from me!”