Red white and Bel Canto

Experience an afternoon of luminous vocal artistry in a special concert that celebrates the passion of Italian bel canto and the timeless charm of patriotic favorites. Red White and Bel Canto brings together a stellar lineup of soloists for an elegant, emotionally rich program set in the historic Garibaldi Meucci Museum.

Featured Artists:

Ukrainian-American dramatic mezzo-soprano Galina Ivannikova is hailed by critics and audiences alike for her rich, lustrous voice as well as for her passionate dramatic portrayals. Bruce Michael Gelbert of NY Art Review raved “Ivannikova’s timbre was ruby in color, her chest register aptly gusty, and her emotion pitch-perfect. She possessed a big glorious Verdi voice reminiscent of the Golden Age tradition.

Alison Madill received an undergraduate degree in music from West Virginia University and a master's in music from Bowling Green State University. She has performed as a young artist with the Toledo Opera and was a featured performer with The Huron Playhouse and Emerald Island Repertory Theater. She has sung with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. She has studied at the Austrian-American Mozart Academy in Salzburg, Austria, where she performed roles such as Die Königin der Nacht from Die Zauberflute and Valencienne from Die lustige Witwe.

Qin Li, soprano, is originally from Changsha, Hunan, China.
She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance at Stony Brook University under the tutelage of Brenda Harris. She earned her Master of Music from Mannes School of Music, studying with William Burden, and her Bachelor of Music in Voice and Opera Performance from the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing.

Olivia Manna is a lyric mezzo-soprano. A graduate of the Purchase College Conservatory of Music and an alumna of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, Olivia has performed with opera companies, including Teatro Grattacielo and Opera Magnifico, and has made her solo Carnegie Hall debut in 2024. Her achievements include First Prize at the Birmingham International Vocal Competition and the LISMA Foundation Music Competition

Elisa Di Simone is a union actress and began her career as a ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet and The International Ballet Theatre at Carnegie Hall. Elisa acted on stage in NYC, on television, and in major motion pictures. She is thrilled to perform with her husband Bruce and with RCO. Happy 250th USA!

Bruce Biggins has performed with The NYC Opera, Light Opera of Manhattan, NY Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and Off-Broadway as John Adams in 1776, as well as dinner theatre, summer stock, and regional theatre all over the US. He has directed and produced many Off-Off Broadway shows. He is happy to be performing once again with his wife, Elisa, for our country’s 250th Birthday! 


Arrive early to enjoy the museum’s ambiance and secure the best seating. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door.