We are very proud to announce that, starting this week, John Viscardi will be acting as the Executive Director of Classic Lyric Arts!
Below, Glenn Morton, Artistic Director, introduces John to the CLA community.
Read beyond to meet John more thoroughly through an introductory video, photos from his time at CLA programs, and a recording of John performing with Glenn.
Welcome to the team, John!
Dear friends,
Celebrating and nurturing the talent, skills, and passion of young artists has always been the core mission of Classic Lyric Arts. Our organization continues to evolve and transform itself thanks to the contributions of a dynamic community of singers, pianists, mentors, friends, and supporters. Our programs' former participants now hold leadership roles at CLA in marketing, social media, and development. As the founder of this endeavor, nothing is more rewarding than seeing our students become our leaders.
I'm proud and excited to announce that John Viscardi begins his work as Executive Director of Classic Lyric Arts this week. In this newly created position, John will collaborate with our administrative team, our board, and me as Artistic Director to advance our mission, support our young artists, and expand our programs.
Having been a participant in the inaugural CLA Italy program in 2009, as well as CLA France in 2014, John profoundly connects with our unique approach to the training of young artists in the field of opera. Since his time as a student, John has established himself as an exceptional operatic professional, graduating from the Academy of Vocal Arts and performing in theaters and concert halls worldwide, from New York City's Carnegie Hall to the Tokyo City Opera. Like many of our artists, his musical journey with CLA has continued beyond his participation in our programs. After he won first prize at the Tosti International Competition in 2016, John and I were honored to collaborate on a recording project, resulting in a collection of Francesco Paolo Tosti's complete works. Today, John credits his experiences at Classic Lyric Arts as having a profound influence on his career as a singer, teacher, and arts administrator.
Offstage, John innovates to bring the positive impact of music to wider audiences. In 2016, along with tenor Michael Fabiano, John co-founded ArtSmart, a national arts mentoring organization that connects students in underserved communities with professional artists. He also created the app HeartBridge, which explores the role of human senses in live stream performances. He leads these projects from his home in Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife and two children.
When considering who might take on the role of executive director, John was a clear choice. His belief in our work paired with his creativity, skills, and experience will undoubtedly help propel Classic Lyric Arts into an exciting new phase. I hope you’ll have the opportunity to get to know John personally. It’s rare to meet someone in our field who is so universally admired.
We feel very optimistic about our organization's future, our artists' development, and an always closer connection to our supporters, friends, and audience members. We look forward to sharing CLA's work with you as our young artists continue their journey into the world of opera and song and explore the music of language.
Warmest regards,
Glenn Morton, Artistic Director
Meet John!
John Viscardi, Executive Director of Classic Lyric Arts, shares a message with the CLA family. Experience his passion and enthusiasm for Classic Lyric Arts and the nurturing of young voices in this introductory video.
Hear John & Glenn Perform
After winning first prize at the Tosti International Competition in 2016, John collaborated with Glenn Morton, Artistic Director of CLA, on a recording project, resulting in a collection of Francesco Paolo Tosti's complete works. Here you can listen to their lush interpretation of Si je ne t’aimais pas.
CLA Italy 2009: John performing in a concert as part of the inaugural CLA program in Novafeltria, Italy
CLA France 2014: John participating in a masterclass led by renowned tenor Michel Sénéchal
CLA France 2014: John rehearsing for a concert at our French home, Les Jouandis
John Viscardi, alumni of CLA Italy 2009 and CLA France 2014, has performed around the world as an internationally acclaimed opera singer, and credits CLA for giving him the tools and confidence to discover his artistry. John is also Co-Founder of ArtSmart, a national non-profit organization that empowers students in under-resourced communities to find their voice through mentorship with paid professional artists. Viscardi is a graduate of Philadelphia’s Academy of the Vocal Arts and holds both a BM in Vocal Performance and MFA in Opera from New York University.