On Friday, October 23, 2026, at 5pm Wagner College and the Da Vinci Society will hold the twenty-third annual Italian Idol singing competition. The competition, held in the Music Performance Center in Campus Hall, is open to Wagner undergraduate sophomore, junior, and senior students who currently study voice. Students compete for major cash awards by singing Italian art songs and arias. A top tier panel of renowned opera singers, voice teachers, coaches and opera critics will serve as judges.
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Roger Wesby, Professor Emeritus, in collaboration with the DaVinci Society, the competition began as a modest contest among Wagner students that celebrated Italian cultural heritage. The winners of the competition would be presented at month’s end on a Viva Italia! concert along with choral groups and faculty soloists from the Music Department. Of all the Italian Heritage Month events, these became the most popular and well attended by members of the Da Vinci Society.
Over the years, the competition has grown in size and prestige. With the help of the voice faculty, the professionals invited to judge represent the highest ranks of the community of vocal performers and teachers. Professor Anthony Turner lent his considerable abilities to the effort, and donations were secured that made possible higher and higher awards. Eight years ago, a dramatic breakthrough happened when former Wagner trustee Al Palladino attended the competition with a colleague from the board of the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, which was in the process of liquidating its considerable assets. Impressed by the quality and organization of the event, the board decided to give the competition $50,000. In grateful recognition of this generous gift, the event is now called the Italian Idol Singing Competition at Wager College in Memory of Licia Albanese.
Students will compete for prizes that range from a $4500 first prize to a $1500 prize for honorable mention. The winners will be presented on the Wagner College website.
For further information, those interested should call/email Professor Anthony Turner, Competition Director/Curator at (917) 865-2020 or anthony.turner@wagner.edu.
