A design, technology and management major from Narragansett, R.I., is the winner of the 2024 Italian Idol competition at Wagner College.
Selina Amargo, a junior who minors in music, performed “Ebben? Ne andrò lontana” from Alfredo Catalani’s La Wally to claim the top prize of $3,000 in the 21st annual opera-singing competition.
Amargo is working on the Wagner productions City of Angels and And Away We Go, and will be involved with spring performances of Once Upon A Mattress, Romeo and Julie, and Heroes of the Fourth Turning.
Second place and $2,000 went to junior theatre performance and arts administration double-major Abigail Bernesky of Philadelphia, for “Piangerò la sorte mia” from George Frideric Händel’s Giulio Cesare. Sophomore Joey Savage of Lehi, Utah, who double-majors in theatre performance and design, technology and management, took third place and $1,000 with “Vaga luna, che inargenti” by Vincenzo Bellini. Senior Molly Nemirow of Reading, PA, a double-major in mathematics and vocal performance, earned honorable mention and $750 for “Cruda sorte! ... Già so per pratica” from Gioachino Rossini’s L’Italiana in Algeri.
Founded in 2003 by Professor Roger Wesby and the DaVinci Society, the Italian Idol competition at Wagner began as a small contest among students to celebrate Italian cultural heritage. Over time, the competition has gained prestige, featuring high-ranking judges from the vocal performance community and increasing awards through donations.
A pivotal moment occurred six years ago when the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation donated $50,000 after attending the event, leading to the competition being named in memory of Licia Albanese, an Italian-born American operatic soprano.
This year’s competition was curated by Professor Anthony Turner, featured collaborative pianist and Professor Giovanni Longo, and was adjudicated by Gregory Sheppard, Donald Levine and Jeremiah Abiah.
