Conductor Michaele Sparacino has died.

Sparacino studied at CUA and went on to sing with the Kennedy Center, singing the title role of Handel’s Judas Maccabeus. He also performed with Washington National Opera, San Francisco Opera, New York City Opera, Boston Opera, and Wolf Trap Company.

Sparacino was the founder of Opera Bel Canto Washington and specialized in Italian Bel Canto repertoire. With the company, he showcased the American premieres of Donizetti’s “Poliuto,” Marino Faliero,” “Lucrezia Borgia,” and “Maria di Rohan.” He also presented the world premiere of the critical edition of “La Favorita.”

Sparacino was also the Music Director of the Maryland State Opera Company and Victorian Lyric Opera Company. He also founded the Opera Camerata of Washington, where he conducted for 11 seasons.

His repertoire included Rossini, Verdi, Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Puccini, Cilea, Massenet, Debussy, Gounod, Meyerbeer, Tchaikovsky, and Gluck.