We are pleased to announce that graduating MM soprano Adrinelle Chiesa García is the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Richard F. Gold Career Grant.
The Richard F. Gold Career Grant (given by The Shoshana Foundation) carries out Richard's life-long dream of assisting young, gifted American singers with their career development. The transition from conservatory to a professional life is challenging for a young singer, and the Richard F. Gold Career Award assists in that transition with financial support and - even more importantly - a vote of confidence. We are so proud that Adrinelle is representing Mannes as they join the ranks of remarkable recipients of this prestigious award - we look forward to following their career and celebrating their success!
Adrinelle Chiesa is a Puerto Rican soprano and oboist, recognized by Opera News for her “technical brilliance and dramatic abandon.” She has performed at Lincoln Center as Alice in Unsuk Chin’s Puzzles and Games and as a soloist in Berio’s Sinfonia, both with Mannes Opera and Mannes Orchestra. Her recent work includes the New York premieres of David T. Little’s Vinkensport and Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Hildegard with Mannes Opera. She portrayed Zerlina in Don Giovanni with the Brooklyn-based opera company The Opera Next Door. She was featured on WQXR in the recital From Canon to Creation: A Celebration of Mannes Opera. Chiesa has also appeared twice as a soloist with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. Deeply committed to her artistic roots, Chiesa highlights modern and contemporary Puerto Rican vocal repertoire in her performances, including original works.
The Michael Sisca Opera Award is given to a graduating student demonstrating good service to the opera program and extraordinary promise for the future. Congratulations to baritone Sean Seungho Cha!
Baritone Sean Seungho Cha, a native of Seoul, South Korea, appeared as Andrea Cocle in the U.S. premiere of Korngold’s The Silent Serenade in March. In 2025, he appeared as one of eight amplified vocalists in Luciano Berio’s Sinfonia with the Mannes Orchestra and performed the role of Tartaglia in the Mannes Opera production of Busoni’s Turandot at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall. Previous roles include Charles Babbage in Ada Lovelace with Mannes Opera, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance at the Savannah Voice Festival, Schaunard in La bohème, Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana at Yonsei University Opera, and Guglielmo in Così fan tutte at Sookmyung Women’s University Opera. He has received Encouragement Awards at the SAS Vocal Competition and the Suri Music Concours, and won First Prize at the Napa Music Competition. Cha has also participated in The Milnes VOICE Programs and a master class hosted by the Korean National Opera. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Yonsei University and is pursuing his Master of Music at the Mannes School of Music, studying with William Burden and Joshua Greene.
The Dean’s Awards are special honors presented for outstanding contributions within the College of Performing Arts - congratulations to Daniella Brancato!
Daniella Brancato is an Italian-American soprano from Great Neck, New York. She is a recent graduate from the Professional Voice Studies Program at the Mannes School of Music, and earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance with Honors from Carnegie Mellon University in 2023. This season at Mannes, Brancato performed as Simone in Kaija Saariaho’s La Passion de Simone and Bettina in the U.S premiere of Korngold’s Die Stumme Serenade. Her previous performances at Mannes include Harriet Beecher Stowe in Kamala Sankaram’s The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace and Lauren in a workshop of Many Roads with composer and conductor Daniela Candillari. Additional favorite credits are: Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), and Arminda (La finta giardiniera). This summer, Brancato will join Finger Lakes Opera as a Studio Artist, where she will portray Contessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and Older Alyce in Glory Denied. Her previous summer engagements include participation in the Houston Grand Opera Young Artists Vocal Academy, the Prague Summer Nights Festival, and Classic Lyric Arts programs.
The Betsy Aaron Service Award is presented to students who have demonstrated distinguished service to the College of Performing Arts community; congratulations to Thomasluke Florez-Mansi!
A special afternoon with legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.
Mannes Opera students had the opportunity to learn from one of the most celebrated artists of our time. From her early years at Mannes School of Music to an international career on some of the world’s greatest stages, she brought so much generosity into the room.
Thank you to Ms. von Stade, and to our students for the thoughtful, engaged work they shared.
an incredible afternoon with the extraordinary Frederica von Stade - beloved #mannesalumni
brava tutti to our singers!
Mannes Opera Presents
an Alumni Masterclass:
FREDERICA VON STADE
Monday, May 4, 2026
4:00-6:00PM
Ernst C. Stiefel Hall
55 West 13th Street, NYC
pianist: Cris Frisco
"Se Romeo" from I Capuleti e i Montecchi by Bellini
Ruijia Dong, mezzo-soprano
"Hai gia vinta la causa" from
Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
Enes Pektas, baritone
"Deh vienei, non tardar" from Le nozze di Figaro by Mozart
Adrinelle Chiesa, soprano
"Non più mesta" from La Cenerentola by Rossini
Dasha Tereschenko, mezzo-soprano
another cast, another beautiful performance from these delightful singers - LA FINTA GIARDIANERA ✨
Mannes Opera Presents:
LA FINTA GIARDINIERA
May 1 & 2, 2026
Theresa Lang 202
55 W 13th street, NYC
Composed by W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Calzabigi/Petrosellini
Conducted by Pei-wen Chen
Directed by Jen Pitt
May 2nd Cast:
Zhilun Alex Liu
Meiyi Chen
Angela Shon
Haoran Deng
Catherine McClure
Alexandria Hunter
Kore Adachi
gorgeous performance last night by these sparkling people in LA FINTA GIARDIANERA 🎶✨🎶
Mannes Opera Presents:
LA FINTA GIARDINIERA
May 1 & 2, 2026
Theresa Lang 202
55 W 13th Street, NYC
Composed by W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Calzabigi/Petrosellini
Conducted by Pei-wen Chen
Directed by Jen Pitt
May 1st Cast:
Zhilun Alex Liu
Xiaoya Jiang
Eliza Goldsteen
Chengwei Fan
Lily Ann Faamausili
Yuanming Gao
Haoming Tim Xia
Thursday 4/23/26 we were so lucky to host the amazing Amina Edris✨✨✨ she worked with four of our undergraduate singers, gave great advice, told great stories, and was a true inspiration!
with:
Scarlet Susi
Sofia Aguirre
Sophie Hill
Haoming Xia
with Cris Frisco on piano
Coming up!
LA FINTA GIARDINIERA
May 1 & 2, 2026
Theresa Lang 202
55 W 13th street, NYC, 10011
for reservations (free!) email: [email protected]
Composed by W.A. Mozart
Libretto by Calzabigi/Petrosellini
Conducted by Pei-wen Chen
Directed by Jen Pitt
Music Preparation by Geoff McDonald and Cris Frisco
with:
MAY 1st:
Zhilun Alex Liu
Xiaoya Jiang
Eliza Goldsteen
Chengwei Fan
Lily Ann Faamausili
Yuanming Gao
Haoming Tim Xia
MAY 2nd:
Zhilun Alex Liu
Meiyi Chen
Angela Shon
Haoran Deng
Catherine McClure
Alexandria Hunter
Kore Adachi
