Soprano Madison Garcia was awarded top honors in Wagner College’s annual Italian Idol operatic singing competition.
Garcia, a senior, sang “Prendi, per me sei libero” by Gaetano Donizetti for her entry in the 22nd annual contest, which is supported by Wagner’s alumni group the DaVinci Society.
Italian Idol drew 21 student singers and drew more than 175 alumni, faculty, staff and students to the Music Performance Center in Campus Hall on Oct. 24.
Garcia took home a $4,000 prize. Bass-baritone Joseph Savage won second prize and $3,000; soprano Gabriella Ortiz third prize and $2,000; tenor Daniel Siani honorable mention and $1,000; and soprano Miriam Lupu special mention and $750.
The prizes are partially funded by the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, for whom the competition is formally named.
Italian Idol was founded by Professor Emeritus Roger Wesby, who was in attendance, and is now curated by Professor Anthony Turner. Judges this year were professional performers Patrice Eaton, Larry Marshall and Diana Solomon-Glover.
