Celebrating 40 years of great opera!

Located in the heart of Los Angeles the Casa Italiana Opera Company is the longest running small opera company of its kind. Started in 1971 under the direction of Maestro Mario Leonetti and overseen by the beloved Father Donanzan of St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church, the Casa Italiana has been home to hundreds of operas over the years. Giving emerging talent the chance to work with a full orchestra and conducted by professionals from the music world. Since the passing of Mario Leonetti in 2010 the Casa Italiana Opera Company has been under the direction of Janet DeMay, nee DiMaio.

She was hand-picked and mentored by Mr. Leonetti, to continue Casa’s fine tradition of bringing Italian operatic culture to our city. Of course it goes without saying that Janet would be the person he chose as she is the daughter of Italian immigrants and can trace her Italian family tree back to 1496. She also holds a B.F.A from the prestigious Julliard School of Music, NYC. We are proud to present our 40th anniversary concert on Sunday November 13th at the Casa Italiana. Selections from Italy’s best operas will be presented: La Traviata, La Boheme, Nabucco, Madame Butterfly and many more.

Featuring a full orchestra under the baton of Maestro Joel Lish, with Elaine Alaoglu, Bill Bartlett, Begona Bilboa, Lisa Bolano, Eric Castro, Steve Chavez, Jeff Dunn, Phyllis Elliot, Christy Hoverder, Joel Huanca, Paul Junger, Natalie Salins, Stacy Teruya, Juventino Zapata & Chorus. Presented with full course Italian dinner at 2:30 p.m. followed by the concert at 4:00 p.m. Dinner and Concert ticket $45, concert only $30. Available at www.tix.com or by calling 1- 800-595-4849.