B i o g r a p h y
Composer STEPHEN COLANTTI began his career as an opera singer. After graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in Voice, he continued his vocal studies in New York City where he was an active performer in the city’s thriving opera scene.
After serving an apprenticeship with the Central City Opera in Colorado he was chosen as a finalist in the Chicago Lyric Opera Competition. He was later awarded the prestigious Opera/Music Theatre International Fellowship, having been chosen from a thousand singers by the famous basso, Jerome Hines. He subsequently studied voice with opera great, Franco Corelli, and Thomas LoMonaco, and acting with famed director, Frank Corsaro at the Actor’s Studio.
"The best Don Jose I've ever seen."
Fiora Contino, Conductor
Opera Illinois, San Francisco Opera,
Pittsburgh Symphony
As a dramatic tenor he appeared in leading roles with the Washington National Opera at the Kennedy Center, the Dallas Opera, the Arizona Opera, and at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center opposite Jerome Hines, as well as with the Metropolitan Opera and opera companies and symphony orchestras throughout the United States.
Photo by Jodie Farbotnik
He has served on the faculties of Grove City College, and Mercyhurst University where he taught voice and related subjects and was the conductor of the University Orchestra and Opera Orchestra. A long time music teacher at Harding School in Erie, Pennsylvania, he oversaw its renowned "Creating Original Opera" program, initiated under the auspices of the Metropolitan Opera, where he collaborated with students and staff to develop, compose, arrange, orchestrate, and conduct seven original student operas.
. . . truly magnificent! . . . The opera is imaginative, original, and truly beautiful. Both the vocal and instrumental writing are superb.”
Diana Skinner - New York City Opera, NY Festival Orchestra
In May 2014, his opera, "The Selfish Giant" debuted in a concert performance with the Erie Opera Theatre. It was subsequently recorded by the Erie Chamber Orchestra and released on CD in April 2016. A largely self-taught composer, his compositions also include songs, choral works, and instrumental pieces for the guitar, piano, and strings. In addition to being a composer, Mr. Colantti is a classical guitarist and violist.