About

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
  • Daniel Biaggi

Committee

Our Committee supports and fosters the growth of the Festival Verdi in Parma and IFFV’s activities in the United States and consists of the leadership of Teatro Regio di Parma as well as IFFV’s Board and Advisory Council. The Committee meets formally twice a year: in Parma during the Festival Verdi and in New York at our annual Spring Gala.

Teatro Regio di Parma and Festival Verdi Leaders

  • Michele Guerra, Mayor of Parma
  • Luciano Messi, Superintendent
  • Alessio Vlad, Artistic Director
  • Francesco Izzo, Accademia Verdiana
  • Diego Saglia, Teatro Regio di Parma Board Member
  • Stefano Nevicati, Mayor of Busseto

Members

Our Members are the cornerstone of our global community. Members are passionate about Verdi's work and committed to preserving opera's rich heritage. We are grateful for their support and invite you to join us in advancing IFFV's mission to support Teatro Regio di Parma, Festival Verdi, Verdi Off!, Accademia Verdiana, and their programs that promote and protect the Verdi's legacy.

President's Club

  • Anne Brennan
  • Rose Kohles Clark
  • Nick Clarke
  • David & Vicki Craver
  • Richard & Michelle Cuomo
  • Laura Davis & David Soper
  • Nancy S. Daoud
  • Karen Dindial
  • Vincent Giordano & Nicky Sensale
  • Elizabeth Guneratne
  • Viðar Gunnarsson & Ragna Pálsdóttir
  • David Holkeboer
  • Anjali Miller
  • Christopher Miller
  • Paul & Michelle Mulholland
  • Michael Reese
  • Laurie Rubinow

President's Club Corporate Members

  • Miller Shah LLP
  • Huntington Bank
  • Strategic Claims
  • CIU Travel

MAESTRO CLUB

  • John W. Barrett
  • David Berger
  • Alec Berin
  • Robert Biela
  • Shannon Callaway & Philip Haile
  • Robert Biela
  • Nicole Chessin
  • Lei & Jean Du
  • Jill Eikenberry & Michael Tucker
  • Matthew J. Goldberg
  • Christopher E. Leake
  • Diane Lynch
  • Stefania Nicoli & Corey Smith
  • Chris Ritchie
  • Pradeep & Fran Varma
  • Nassrin Iromloo Zahedi

IFFV360 & IFFV360R

  • Tucker Aglio
  • Gina Akopyan
  • Natalie Finkelman Bennett
  • Diana Bocsha
  • Vince & Linda Calarco
  • Kyle Colburn
  • Renée Perroncel DeLaurentis
  • Susan Lewis Duffy
  • Sarah Evans
  • Becca Gilbert
  • Edward Glenn
  • Veronica Paz Gonzalez
  • Madison Gregg
  • Mark Gyandoh
  • Jillian Lussier
  • Brent Mitchell
  • Emilly Mohr
  • Jeffrey Parker
  • Mary Pepe
  • Alan Ruskis
  • D Ellen Shuman
  • Ilona Velez
  • Cornelia Vieira

Founding Patrons

International Friends of Festival Verdi will forever be indebted to its founding 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
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