Artist Biographies
Eric Wassenaar – Pinkerton
Tenor Eric Wassenaar is recognized for his dynamic performances across opera, musical theater, and concert stages. In 2025 he will join Opera Festival of Chicago covering the role of Beppe in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci and International Opera Institute singing the role of Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. During the 2017–2018 season, he joined Pensacola Opera as an Artist in Residence, debuting as Goro in Madama Butterfly and The Padre in Man of La Mancha, while also starring in María de Buenos Aires. He premiered as tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah and Ariel Ramírez's Misa Criolla with the Pensacola Choral Society.
In summer 2017, he appeared with Chautauqua Opera as an Apprentice Artist, performing in the U.S. stage premiere of Respighi's L'Orfeo (Pastore) and Philip Glass's Hydrogen Jukebox. Concert highlights include collaborations with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra under Steven Osgood and a pops program with conductor Stuart Chafetz.
A Sioux Falls native, Wassenaar holds a Master of Music from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Augustana University.
Francisco Corredor – Goro
Hailing from Queens, Francisco Corredor is an emerging character tenor whose comedic and lively interpretations have been praised by Opera News, The New York Times, El Diario, The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, and The Oklahoman. A former artist with Tony Bennett's Exploring the Arts Foundation as well as with Martina Arroyo's Prelude to Performance, he has performed throughout New York City and at the OK Mozart International Festival, the Verbier Festival in Switzerland, the Salzburg Festival in Austria, and on a tour of Israel with Zubin Mehta and the Israeli Philharmonic.
Francisco holds a bachelor's degree in music from the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase and a Master of Arts from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College.
Isabella Daltoso – Suzuki
Mezzo-soprano Isabella Daltoso is a current Master of Music in Voice Performance candidate at Chicago College of Performing Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Pacific Lutheran University where she performed leading roles including Sesto (Giulio Cesare), Prince Orlofsky (Die Fledermaus), and Ruth (Pirates of Penzance).
Recent highlights include Goffredo in Rinaldo with Chicago Summer Opera, Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti, and Marcellina in Le nozze di Figaro. She was recently a semifinalist in the 2025 MIOpera international voice competition.
Allan Glassman – Sharpless
Tenor Allan Glassman has thrilled audiences throughout America and Europe with his vibrant timbre and committed stage presence. A regular at The Metropolitan Opera, his performances have included Herod in Salome, Red Whiskers in Billy Budd, and roles in Carmen, Wozzeck, Elektra, and The Ghosts of Versailles. He has also performed widely across the U.S. and internationally, earning acclaim for his portrayals of Herod and other intense character roles.
Shirley Wang – Madama Butterfly
A native of Taipei, Taiwan, soprano XiaoLing Wang is a graduate of USC and a finalist in multiple international vocal competitions. Her operatic credits include leading roles in Aida, La Traviata, Tosca, La Bohème, Don Giovanni, and more. She has been heard in recital across the U.S. and was a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall. Her next appearance includes the title role in Madama Butterfly with Desert Opera in May 2025.
Joshua Hughes – Yamadori / Imperial Commissioner
Joshua Hughes has been praised for his "powerful lyricism" and "brilliant vocal range." This production marks his debut with IOI, following a second-place finish in the 2025 IOI Las Vegas Vocal Competition. His credits span both opera and musical theater, including La Traviata, Don Giovanni, Il barbiere di Siviglia, West Side Story, and Der fliegende Holländer. He recently appeared with Opera Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Sinfonietta.
Rose Kingsley – Kate Pinkerton / Narrator
Rose Kingsley is the founder and Artistic Director of the International Opera Institute. A leading dramatic soprano, she has performed at the Met, with the American Ballet Theatre, and for three U.S. Presidents. She is the only voice teacher to conduct a master class at the Metropolitan Opera. Her credits include La Bohème, Aida, Tosca, Salome, and Rigoletto. She is co-composer of the opera Apollo 14, premiered at New York City Opera.
Robert Graziano – Musical Director
Robert Graziano, a pianist from Buffalo, NY, began playing at age three. He has received numerous awards, including second place at the Nazareth Piano Competition and Honorable Mention at the LA International Liszt Competition. Robert has studied at the Eastern Music Festival and Vianden Summer Festival in Luxembourg. He is completing his undergraduate degree at UNLV and has earned a full scholarship for his graduate studies at Arizona State University.
About the International Opera Institute
The International Opera Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational performing arts company. On October 31, 2022, IOI proudly relocated from Southern California to Henderson, Nevada.
We are a humanitarian, charitable, and educational organization that increases awareness, appreciation, and understanding of Opera and Musical Theater. Through outreach programs and performances, the IOI prepares vocal artists for roles on professional opera and theater stages.