Florentine Opera

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The Florentine Opera is Wisconsin's oldest performing arts organization and the fifth-oldest opera company in the United States. It was founded in 1933 by John-David Anello.

The company puts on three staged productions per season largely from the standard operatic repertoire. Performances take place at the Marcus Center in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Notable performers at the Florentine Opera have included James Courtney, Gilda Cruz-Romo, Plácido Domingo, Dale Duesing, Marisa Galvany, Anthony Dean Griffey, Jerome Hines, Kristjan Johannsson, Spiro Malas, Adriana Maliponte, James McCracken, Morely Meredith, Sherrill Milnes, Carol Neblett, Jan Peerce, Samuel Ramey, Beverly Sills and Angela Brown.

In recent years, the Florentine has demonstrated a commitment to new American operas. It produced the American premiere of Lowell Liebermann's opera The Picture of Dorian Gray in 1999.

William Florescu was named the new General Director, with his duties beginning on May 1, 2005. Joseph Rescigno is the Principal Conductor.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra serves as the orchestra in performances by the Florentine Opera.