Maria Spacagna

About

Maria Spacagna is a Professor of Voice at Carnegie Mellon University's School of Music and an accomplished soprano with an international operatic career. She made history as the first American-born artist to perform the title role in Madama Butterfly at La Scala in Milan, Italy. Her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1991 as Luisa Miller opposite Luciano Pavarotti launched a distinguished career performing at prestigious opera houses worldwide including Teatro alla Scala, Arena di Verona, and numerous European venues. VARIETY magazine noted that 'Spacagna is the Cio-Cio-San of our generation.' Her operatic repertoire exceeds 40 major roles including works by Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni, with performances of Violetta in La Traviata, Liu in Turandot, and the title role in Madama Butterfly. She has also performed in concert settings with major orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony and Los Angeles Philharmonic. At the invitation of Placido Domingo, she performed at a State Dinner honoring the Prime Minister of Italy given by President and Mrs. Clinton at the White House. She was honored with the Alumni of the Year Award from New England Conservatory in 2004 and is a recipient of the George London Grant, Metropolitan Opera National Council Award, and Rockefeller Foundation grant. Her teaching at Carnegie Mellon emphasizes the importance of operatic performance in a comprehensive music education.

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor of Music in Voice (New England Conservatory of Music), Master of Music in Voice with Distinction (New England Conservatory of Music), Juilliard Opera Center, Metropolitan Opera National Council Award Winner, George London Grant Recipient

Teaching Styles