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Our History
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The Long Island Opera is Long Island's oldest opera company in existence. The opera company, known today as Long Island Opera, began as a 1958 adult education course by a leading tenor of New York City Opera, Nino Luciano. Maestro Luciano, a resident of Long Island, had sung many leading tenor roles both at City Opera and abroad. Maestro Luciano presented opera performances which developed into an opera workshop with staged productions in costume. Soon after in 1961, Long Island Opera became incorporated as a 501(c)3, and began performing operas such as Madame Butterfly, La Traviata, and I Pagliacci at various locales in Nassau County. Following Luciano’s leadership, Bernard Hart, another singer from New York City Opera became Artistic Director. Hart lead Long Island Opera for 27 years, and thrived under his direction. |
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By 1985 the Long Island Opera owned the props, sets, costumes, backdrops, and scores for 26 operas and operettas in its repertory. Since Hart’s successful management, Long island Opera has had great success as an opera company under the direction of several talented directors: Susan Hart Rosselli, Charles Bezinover, Jon Morrel, and Webster Young.
In August 2009, Joy Berta became Executive Director committing her talents, skills, and passion for opera to revive Long Island Opera after period of inactivity. Ms. Berta believes the Arts are a key role in building and strengthening a community, and knows how invaluable it is for the future of Long Island to experience the gift of opera. As an artist, she welcomes the challenging lead role as Long Island Opera Executive Director, and promises the community, “You will see some of the best performances you have ever experienced.” With the help of gifted conductor, Artistic Director John Mario Di Costanzo, she is confident in making this promise a reality to the community of Long Island.
Mission
| Long Island Opera's mission is to be a first class opera company providing a balanced repertory of the highest level of performance true to the vision of the composer. LIO's goal is to enhance the spirit of community through the tradition of opera and magnify the artistic integrity of Long Island |
Biographies
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John Di Costanzo-Artistic Director Maestro Di Costanzo's triumphant début of La bohème for Syracuse Opera earned him reinvitation over six seasons, seasons which have included performances of Carmen, Otello, The Magic Flute and Rigoletto. He returns to Syracuse to conduct another production of The Magic Flute in October 2008 and has most recently been acclaimed for his performances as a conductor for Sarasota Opera's productions of Die Fledermaus and Lucia di Lammermoor. In 1988, John Mario Di Costanzo was appointed Associate Conductor for Toledo Opera, a position he held for six seasons. During his tenure with TO, he conducted Hansel and Gretel, L'elisir d'amore, Cendrillon, La Cenerentola, Babes in Toyland and The Mikado. He has also performed with Opera Birmingham, Nashville Opera, Di Capo Opera, Brandenburg Opera and Liederkranz Opera. In addition to his conducting duties, Mr. Di Costanzo performs in recital and coaches Italian opera repertoire in his New York City studio, preparing internationally acclaimed singers for their roles on the stages of the world. Joy Berta-Executive Director Joy Berta is currently the executive director of Long Island Opera, and a seasoned performer of the Arts. Joy Berta, a public relations specialist and opera singer, is committing her talents, skills, and dreams to Long Island Opera as the new Executive Director. She believes the Arts are a key role in building and strengthening a community, and knows the grave importance of keeping opera alive in the community and abroad. As an artist, her extensive experience ranges from roles in film, television, theater, and dance. Ms. Berta has lived the past eight years in New York City pursuing her passion for the Arts, and has achieved recognition for her unique talents, most recently in opera. She has received awards as Starmania Female Vocalist of the Year in Las Vegas, NV; and Miss Springville and Miss Utah Talent Scholarships. Ms. Berta, originally from Hawaii, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism, a minor in French from Utah State University, and studied at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy. |