Guests | VPO

SEASON 2026 - 2027

Guest artists.

Pianists, vocalists, violinists and conductors from Cleveland, Milan, Vienna, and beyond. Only for the The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra.

GIOVANNI MUGNUOLO

Flutist

The musical career of Giovanni Mugnuolo stared from a very young age. He was originally taught by his father...

STEPHEN MUMBERT

Singer

Hailed as a “Scene-stealer...with a knack for staying in character even when he isn’t the center of attention,”...

Elena Ulyanova

Pianist

At the age of 5, Elena Ulyanova began to study piano with her mother, Larisa Ulyanova, in Saki, Ukraine. After winning several first prizes in Ukrainian and Russian competitions...

MARK RAISCH

Vocalist

Originally form New York, now located in central Florida, Mark Raisch entertains in

performing art centers, resort communities, for symphonies, country clubs, and private

events up and down the East Coast...

Gabriel Preisser

Baritone

Grammy Award winning baritone Gabriel Preisser has been praised by Opera News for his “handsome voice, charismatic energy, and timbral allure” and The New York Times called his performance as Lt. Gordon “wonderful.”

SEAN C. STORK

Baritone

Sean Christopher Stork, lyric baritone, has been singing across the state of Florida since 2007.

CHARINA QUINTANA

Flutist

FLUTE Professor at the Conservatory of Music of the Canary Islands Yamaha Artist.

Born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria...

GENNARO DESIDERIO

Violinist

Born in 1974 into a family of musicians. He began studyng music on the classical guitar.

In 1980 he partecipated in an international competition for classical guitarist in the town of Recanati...

Norman Lee Schaffer

Singer

Norman Lee Schaffer is a singer songwriter whose spirit-filled music appeals to all ages. As a lifelong entertainer...

ALEX MANSOORI

Tenor

Called “Outstanding” and “Hilarious” by critics, tenor Alex Mansoori has been hailed as “solid and convincing” and “smartly characterized” by The New York Times. Specializing in character tenor roles, Mr. Mansoori’s varied repertoire runs the gamut from Handel and Mozart to Bernstein and Sondheim...

Emily Heumann

Mezzo-soprano

Emily Heumann has gained recognition for her "delicious vocals" (Arts and Culture Texas Magazine) and "credible" storytelling (Orlando Sentinel).

PASQUALE ESPOSITO

Tenor

He is an international crossover recording artist, acclaimed for his pop-opera delivery of songs. Esposito released 9 albums and began touring internationally with his first musical revue: Naples … That’s Amore in 2005.

ANTONIO POMPA BALDI

Pianist

Born and raised in Foggia, Italy, Antonio Pompa-Baldi won the Cleveland International Piano Competition in 1999...

RAPHAELA MEDINA

Mezzo-soprano

Lauded for her ability to “exquisitely set the scene” (Orlando Sentinel), Chilean-American mezzo-soprano Raphaella Medina is known for her honest, engaging performances and versatile voice...

MARCELLA RICHARDSON

Vocalist

Marcella Richardson started her singing career in northern Michigan, Torch lake area at a family restaurant called Brownwood...

Opera Orlando Chorus

Chorus

The Opera Orlando Chorus is made up of local professional singers trained in opera and classical voice...

Julie Batman

Soprano

An lowa native, Julie Batman sings with the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra as a featured soloist for the 7th year. She sings as a soloist and occasional choral singer with many local organizations such as Opera Tampa, Opera Orlando,

SAMANTHA BARNES DANIEL