About us
Opera Picciona started as a group of friends who decided one day to put on a production of Dido and Aeneas at a church in the village. Somehow, people became interested. This became Opera Picciona, a new community opera company dedicated to producing opera in a fun and welcoming environment.
Who we are
Manya Gaver-Holmes
Co-Founder
Manya Gaver-Holmes may be listed as a co-founder of the company (which she is) but she prefers to be referred to as the piratical alto of all work. A graduate of Hunter College with a triple bachelors in Music, French, and Italian, Manya can be found singing at such companies as Regina Opera, Utopia Opera, the Savoynet Performing Group, and the Blue Hill Troupe (as well as functioning as rehearsal videographer, props maker, costume fixer, and general helper). Manya was talked by her friend Natan into co-founding Opera Picciona with him, to explore a wider range of repertoire and create more opportunities for early-career singers and artists.
Natan Zamansky
Co-Founder
Director, dramaturg, writer, and occasional performer, specializing in light opera and operetta. A graduate of the University of Michigan, where he made his performing and directorial debuts with the University of Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Natan has since worked in various capacities with the Blue Hill Troupe, Village Light Opera Group, Utopia Opera, the Iolanthe Opera Company, and the Savoynet Performing Group, among others. Natan was talked by his friend Manya into co-founding Opera Picciona with her, to explore a wider range of repertoire and create more opportunities for early-career singers and artists.