Il Piccolo Teatro dell'Opera was a small professional opera company located in New York City. Founded in 1984 by Barbara Elliott, the company's goal was to foster an interest in opera in today's culture and provide performance opportunities for young professional singers just starting out in their opera careers. Notable singers to have performed with the company include

Renée Fleming Renée Lynn Fleming (born February 14, 1959) is an American soprano and actress, known for performances in opera, concerts, recordings, theater, film, and at major public occasions. A recipient of the National Medal of Arts, Fleming has been nom ...

, Douglas Perry, and

Jianyi Zhang Jianyi Zhang (张建一 in Chinese) is an American operatic tenor of Chinese birth. A graduate of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Juilliard School, he has had an active international career in concerts and operas since the mid-1980s. In ...

. The company produced operas from the baroque period to contemporary pieces. From 1984 through 1997 its chairman was Stephen Zelnick. The company has also had the privilege of being supported in benefit concerts or performances by such individuals as

Tony Randall Anthony Leonard Randall (born Aryeh Leonard Rosenberg; February 26, 1920 – May 17, 2004) was an American actor of film, television and stage. He is best known for portraying the role of Felix Unger in the 1970–1975 television adaptation of ...

Paul Sorvino Paul Anthony Sorvino (, ; April 13, 1939 – July 25, 2022) was an American actor. He often portrayed authority figures on both the criminal and the law enforcement sides of the law. Sorvino was particularly known for his roles as Lucchese cri ...

Luciano Pavarotti Luciano Pavarotti (, , ; 12 October 19356 September 2007) was an Italian operatic tenor who during the late part of his career crossed over into popular music, eventually becoming one of the most acclaimed tenors of all time. He made numerou ...

Samuel Ramey Samuel Ramey (born March 28, 1942) is an American operatic bass. At the height of his career, he was greatly admired for his range and versatility, having possessed a sufficiently accomplished bel canto technique which enabled him to sing the mu ...

Gian Carlo Menotti Gian Carlo Menotti (, ; July 7, 1911 – February 1, 2007) was an Italian-American composer, libretto, librettist, director, and playwright who is primarily known for his output of 25 operas. Although he often referred to himself as an American ...

, and

Mirella Freni Mirella Freni (born Mirella Fregni, 27February 19359February 2020) was an Italian operatic soprano who had a career of 50 years and appeared at major international opera houses. She received international attention at the Glyndebourne Festiva ...

, among others.New York Times April 23, 1998
/ref> With the passing of Mme. Elliott in 1997, the company withdrew from the New York opera scene.

References

New York City opera companies Musical groups established in 1984 {{Opera-company-stub