As part of the New York Opera Fest’s 2017 culmination and celebration of opera around the area, Stefano Mazzonis di Pralafera will join the Martina Arroyo Foundation in the Master Series on June 21 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

Mazzonis is the General Artistic Director of Opera Royal de Wallonie-Liege and former General/ Artistic Director of Teatro Comunale di Bologna. He will work with certain selected Prelude singers this month.

Originally from Italy, he studied law and music in Rome and at the same time pursued another passion of his, directing at the University Theatre in Rome. In 1983 he debuted as the director of numerous operas in the area.

After achieving high regards and success, he was invited to several opera houses including the Comunale in Florence for the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the Theatre Ventidio Basso, and the Theatre Sistina in Rome.

During and after all of that he was called to do many festivals, not only in Italy but also around the world. He has grown into a well-known name in the audio-visual media world and has presented and produced several programs on television and radio.

Throughout his career, Mazzonis has worked for the Israeli Opera and directed shows dating back to 2011. In 2013 he did “Otello,” “Nabucco” in 2015, and most recently, “La Gazzetta.”