INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS OF FESTIVAL VERDI
The International Friends of Festival Verdi is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing essential support to Teatro Regio di Parma’s annual Verdi Festival, Verdi Off, and Accademia Verdiana, It also is celebrates the enduring legacy of Giuseppe Verdi and seeks to foster robust cultural exchange between the Verdi Festival and its supporters around the world. We promote and philanthropically support Festival Verdi to enhance appreciation of Verdi’s works through outstanding performances, scholarship, and community engagement. Together, we ensure that his masterpieces continue to inspire and resonate with future generations, deepening the connection to Verdi’s timeless works.
Mission

- Promote and support Festival Verdi, Verdi Off, and Accademia Verdiana and their programs in support of the legacy of Giuseppe Verdi.
- Foster an international community of Verdi opera lovers.
- Educate and expand the awareness of Verdi globally.
ABOUT

International Friends of Festival Verdi is a New York-based non-profit organization founded in 2019 providing individuals opportunities to support, preserve, and expand upon Festival Verdi through our membership program, events, and annual visit to Festival Verdi.
The great Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi was born in the Emilia-Romagna region, just outside Parma in the town of Busseto. Festival Verdi is Teatro Regio di Parma’s award-winning celebration dedicated to studying and staging Verdi’s works. The festival runs from mid-September to mid-October, with IFFV making an annual visit to coincide with Verdi’s birthday on October 10.
The IFFV community is bound together by a passion for Giuseppe Verdi’s operas and the belief that this extraordinary cultural event, as well as Verdi’s work at large, should be shared with as many individuals as possible.
IFFV is considered an essential partner of Festival Verdi as we provide funding for projects related to the festival’s productions as well as its educational and outreach programs.
LEADERSHIP
IFFV Board
- James E. Miller, President
- Brian Dore, Executive Director
- Maria Gabriella Landers
- Eric L. Young
- Nathan C. Zipperian
IFFV Advisory Council
- Jane Oberwager
- Marco Massini
- Silvia Frieser
Committee
Teatro Regio di Parma and Festival Verdi Leaders
- Michele Guerra, Mayor of Parma
- Luciano Messi, Superintendent
- Alessio Vlad, Artistic Director
- Barbara Minghetti, Verdi Off
- Francesco Izzo, Accademia Verdiana
- Diego Saglia, Teatro Regio di Parma Board Member
- Stefano Nevicati, Mayor of Busseto
Patrons
Founding Patrons
- Jane Hudson
- Marco Massini
- Douglas Miller
- James E. Miller
- Monique Olivier
- Laurie Rubinow
- Regina Reardon
- Jane and Raffaele Scalcione
- James C. Shah
- John Visgilio
- Eric L. Young
- René and Stefania von Holstein Pallavicino
Circle 2019-20
- CIU Travel by Maria Gabriella Landers & Brian Dore
Patrons 2019-20
- Cailin Arthur
- Armand Bartos
- Cynthia Bear
- Jillian Boyce
- Anna D'Agostino
- Brian Dore
- John Edgar
- Stephanie French
- Jane Heffner
- Ronald Kravitz
- Maria Gabirella Landers
- Elizabeth Lusskin
- Phyllis Lusskin
- James McClennen
- Stephania McClennen
- James E. Miller
- Corinne H. Nevinny
- Jane Oberwager
- Monique Olivier
- Norma Olivier
- Geraldine Rizzo
- Jon Rotenstreich
- Susan Rotenstreich
- Raffaele Scalcione
- Marco Scolastra
- Heidi Wendel
- Susan Wicks
- Mia Wendel-Dilallo
Patrons 2018-19
- Corinne H. Nevinny
- James E. Miller
- Douglas Miller
- Monique Olivier
- Laurie Rubinow
- Regina Reardon
- Mary Sauer
- James C. Shah
- Eric L. Young
Circle 2018-19
- Numerical LLC by Tina Salandra
- CIU Travel by Maria Gabriella Landers & Brian Dore