Executive Overview
On Sunday, September 27, 2026, Musica Viva NY will open its 2026–27 concert season with a landmark performance showcasing the global future of opera. Under the baton of Artistic Director and Conductor Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, the acclaimed New York chamber choir and instrumental ensemble will host a joint recital featuring ten young artists from two of the world’s most prestigious operatic incubators: Madrid’s Teatro Real Crescendo program and The Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.
Held at the historic All Souls NYC on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the opening concert bridges European and American operatic traditions. The event continues Musica Viva NY’s mission of presenting world-class vocal music while providing a high-visibility platform for emerging artists on the threshold of international careers. By pairing rising stars from Madrid and New York with Musica Viva NY’s own resident soloists, the performance highlights cross-continental artistic exchange, vocal pedagogy, and the enduring vitality of the operatic canon.
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| EVENT SUMMARY MATRIX |
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| Ensemble / Host | Musica Viva NY (Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, Artistic Dir.)|
| Partner Institutions | Teatro Real Crescendo (Madrid) |
| | Lindemann Young Artist Development Program (Met Opera) |
| Date & Time | Sunday, September 27, 2026 |
| | 4:15 PM Pre-Concert Talk | 5:00 PM Main Performance |
| Location | All Souls NYC (1157 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan) |
| Program Scope | Selections: Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Saint-Saëns, |
| | Barber, Massenet, Moreno Torroba, Bernstein |
| Admissions | $50 General Admission | $30 Student Ticket |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+Detailed Chronology
The Conceptualization and Institutional Alignment
The idea for this collaborative season opener emerged from a series of international exchanges initiated by Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez. Recognizing a shift toward global mobility among young opera professionals, Hernandez-Valdez sought to create a platform where artistic traditions from Madrid’s historic Teatro Real and New York’s Metropolitan Opera could converge in an intimate chamber setting.
[MID-2025] -------------------> [EARLY 2026] -------------------> [SUMMER 2026] -------------------> [SEPT 27, 2026]
Institutional Alignment Repertoire Curation Collaborative Rehearsals Season Opener Performance
Teatro Real & Met Opera Cross-idiomatic selection Madrid & NYC artists assemble All Souls NYC- Mid-2025: Artistic leadership from Musica Viva NY, Teatro Real’s Crescendo program, and the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program finalized the framework for a joint New York showcase.
- Early 2026: Repertoire selection was finalized to highlight contrasting operatic styles, including Italian bel canto and verismo, French grand opéra, 20th-century American opera, classic Zarzuela, and American musical theater.
- Late Summer 2026: Participating vocalists and pianists completed intensive preparation in Madrid and New York before arriving for joint ensemble rehearsals in Manhattan.
Performance Day Schedule: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- 4:15 PM — Pre-Concert Symposium: Maestro Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez leads an introductory panel discussing the evolving landscape of young artist training programs, the technical demands of the afternoon’s repertoire, and the stylistic bridges between European Zarzuela and American opera.
- 5:00 PM — Main Stage Performance: The concert opens at All Souls NYC, featuring solo arias, duets, and ensemble numbers performed by artists from both training programs alongside Musica Viva NY soloists, accompanied on piano by Hernandez-Valdez, Carlos Alfonso Ferri, and John Morefield.
Supporting Context & Metrics
Participating Institutions and Roster
This collaboration brings together two distinct operatic training environments, pairing European performance traditions with American conservatory methods.
TRANSATLANTIC OPERA ARTIST ROSTER
Teatro Real Crescendo Metropolitan Opera Lindemann
(Madrid, Spain) (New York, USA)
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| Carlos A. Ferri (P) | | John Morefield (P) |
| Lucía Iglesias (S) | | Laura Santamaria (S) |
| Yasmin Forastiero (M) | | Sophia Baete (M) |
| Pablo Puértolas (T) | | Angel Raii Gomez (T) |
| E. Torres Domínguez(B)| | Lonwabo Mose (BB) |
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[ Musica Viva NY Soloists ]
[ Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez ]Teatro Real Crescendo (Madrid)
Created by the International Young Talents Foundation of the Teatro Real, the Crescendo program provides young singers and pianists with stage experience, masterclasses, and international performance opportunities. The Madrid delegation for this performance includes:
- Carlos Alfonso Ferri (Piano)
- Lucía Iglesias (Soprano)
- Yasmin Forastiero (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Pablo Puértolas (Tenor)
- Enrique Torres Domínguez (Baritone)
The Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program
Founded in 1980 by James Levine and named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. George Lindemann, the program offers specialized training for exceptionally talented artists targeting international operatic careers. The Met Opera delegation features:
- John Morefield (Piano)
- Laura Santamaria (Soprano)
- Sophia Baete (Mezzo-Soprano)
- Angel Raii Gomez (Tenor)
- Lonwabo Mose (Bass-Baritone)
Repertoire Analysis and Diversity
The program balances traditional European operatic masterpieces with American works and Spanish Zarzuela:
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| PROGRAM COMPOSITION |
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| Genre / Style | Key Works Selected for Performance |
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| Classical / Viennese | W.A. Mozart: *Le nozze di Figaro*, *Don Giovanni* |
| French Romantic & Realism | G. Bizet: *Carmen* |
| | C. Saint-Saëns: *Samson et Dalila* |
| | J. Massenet: *Don Quichotte* |
| Italian Bel Canto & Verismo | G. Verdi: *Rigoletto*, *La Traviata* |
| | G. Puccini: *Gianni Schicchi* |
| Spanish Zarzuela | F. Moreno Torroba: *Luisa Fernanda* |
| 20th-Century American Opera | S. Barber: *Vanessa* |
| American Musical Theater | L. Bernstein: *West Side Story* |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+- Mozartian Foundations: Selections from Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni highlight vocal agility, ensemble precision, and dramatic interpretation.
- Italian Realism and Romanticism: Scenes from Verdi’s Rigoletto and La Traviata, alongside Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, focus on legato, dynamic contrast, and characterization.
- French Romantic Lyricism: Excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen, Saint-Saëns’ Samson et Dalila, and Massenet’s Don Quichotte showcase French diction and expressive color.
- Spanish Zarzuela: Excerpts from Federico Moreno Torroba’s Luisa Fernanda highlight Spain’s rich lyric theater tradition, featuring complex rhythms and expressive vocal lines.
- American Canon: Samuel Barber’s Vanessa and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story demonstrate the evolution of 20th-century American vocal music, bridging traditional opera and modern musical theater.
Venue Dynamics and Accessibility Metrics
Hosted at All Souls NYC (1157 Lexington Avenue, at 80th Street), the venue offers ideal acoustics for chamber opera and unamplified vocal performances.
- Capacity & Venue: Historic sanctuary featuring clear line-of-sight and natural resonance for acoustic vocal projection.
- Transit Access: Direct access via the NYC Subway network (Line 6 to 77th St. Station; Lines 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. Station).
- Ticketing Structure: General Admission is priced at $50, with $30 discounted tickets for students to encourage young audiences to attend.
Official Statements
Artistic Leadership Vision
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, Artistic Director of Musica Viva NY, highlighted the artistic purpose of the performance:
"Bringing together these exceptional young artists from Madrid’s Teatro Real and The Metropolitan Opera represents more than just a celebratory launch for our 2026–27 season—it is an investment in the future of the art form itself. Operatic talent knows no geographical boundaries. By placing these ten rising stars side-by-side in an intimate chamber venue like All Souls NYC, we give our audience a front-row seat to the future of grand opera. The energy, technical proficiency, and emotional commitment these singers bring to repertoire spanning from Mozart and Verdi to Torroba and Barber is extraordinary."
Institutional Perspectives
A representative from Teatro Real’s Crescendo Program discussed the value of international collaboration:
"The Crescendo program was designed to build bridges between academic training and international performance stages. Presenting our young Spanish singers and pianists in New York City alongside artists from the Met Opera’s Lindemann Program is a milestone. It allows us to share Spain’s rich lyric tradition—including Zarzuela—while immersing our artists in New York’s cultural environment."
A statement on behalf of The Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program underscored the shared mission:
"Collaborating with Musica Viva NY and our colleagues from Madrid allows our young artists to expand their artistic horizons outside the traditional opera house setting. Chamber performances require intense dramatic intimacy and chamber-style musical listening—skills that are critical as these singers step onto the world stage."
Future Outlook
Implications for Young Artist Development
This joint initiative points to a broader trend in classical music: collaborative international showcases designed to build cross-cultural artistic networks early in a singer’s career.
FUTURE IMPACT MODEL
[Cross-Border Reciprocity] ----> [Expanded Performance Contexts]
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International career pathways Flexible chamber opera models
for young artists outside large opera houses- Cross-Border Networks: Joint ventures between European and American young artist programs create international performance pathways, helping young singers navigate international opera markets earlier in their careers.
- Intimate Performance Formats: Recitals in acoustic chamber venues offer audiences an engaging alternative to large-scale opera house productions, showcasing nuance, vocal control, and dramatic detail.
Musica Viva NY’s 2026–27 Season Roadmap
The September 27 opening concert sets the stage for Musica Viva NY’s 2026–27 season. Under Hernandez-Valdez’s leadership, the ensemble’s upcoming programming will continue to emphasize:
- Acoustic Excellence: Leveraging the unique properties of All Souls NYC for both choral and chamber works.
- Repertoire Expansion: Pairing standard masterpieces with contemporary compositions, regional premieres, and underrepresented vocal traditions.
- Community Engagement: Offering pre-concert educational talks, accessible ticket pricing, and student initiatives to broaden participation across New York City.
By bringing together young vocal talent from Madrid and New York, Musica Viva NY reaffirms its role as both a fixture of Manhattan’s cultural landscape and a bridge to the global future of classical vocal performance.
