Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Giuseppe Pietraroia is Associate Conductor of the Victoria Symphony and newly appointed Principal Conductor of Pacific Opera Victoria. As a guest conductor he has been engaged by l’Orchestre Métropolitain, Orchestra London, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Hamilton Philharmonic, Okanagan Symphony, Regina Symphony, Kingston Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony.
His extensive opera engagements with Pacific Opera include productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia, La traviata, La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Norma, Rigoletto, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, La Cenerentola, Tosca, and Let’s Make an Opera/The Little Sweep. In addition, he has conducted productions for l’Opéra de Montréal, l’Opéra de Québec, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Edmonton Opera, Opera New Brunswick, Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, and l’Institut Canadien d’Art Vocal.
With Victoria Choral Society, where he was Music Director for seven seasons, Maestro Pietraroia conducted performances of Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Mass in C minor with the Victoria Symphony, a choreographed production of Orff’s Carmina Burana in collaboration with Ballet Victoria, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, and the Duruflé and Fauré Requiems.
Maestro Pietraroia has recorded a CD with soprano Marie-Josée Lord and l’Orchestre Métropolitain for the ATMA label, which won a Felix award granted by l’ADISQ and was also nominated for a JUNO award.
Giuseppe Pietraroia is the recipient of the George and Jane Heffelfinger Pacific Opera Victoria Artist of the Year Award and the Canada Council’s Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestral Conducting.
Ryan Cole, trumpet
Ryan Cole has held the position of principal trumpet in the Victoria Symphony since 2012. In addition to his work in the VS, Ryan has performed with the National Arts Center Orchestra, the Vancouver Symphony, and frequently appears in the trumpet section of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, including multiple appearances as guest principal. Ryan is a former member of the Regina Symphony. He received his master’s degree from McGill University, and also trained at Music Academy of the West in California. He has appeared as guest soloist multiple times with the VS, as well as with the Saskatoon Symphony, and Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. Offstage, Ryan teaches a private studio of advanced trumpet students. Originally trained as a music educator, Ryan also spends a great deal of time in the schools giving masterclasses, talks, presentations, and performances.
