Carmine  Aufiero made his New York conducting debut with Chelsea Opera's Suor Angelica, where he served as its first Music Director (2005-2010) followed by productions of Cavalleria Rusticana, Pagliacci, William Walton's The Bear and Lee Hoiby's The Scarf (production commemorating 50th anniversary of its premiere), Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly and The Ballad of Baby Doe to rave reviews. Maestro Aufiero led the first full production of Tom Cipullo’s Glory Denied, a masterwork that has since entered the repertoire of 21st century American Opera.

He was engaged as pianist and assistant conductor for the American Symphony Orchestra's production of Janacek's Osud under Leon Botstein after completing his studies in orchestral conducting with Harold Farberman, and composition, theory, and improvisation with Robert Abramson.

 

Mr. Aufiero has served as coach and conductor for Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance during which time he led conducted Chelsea Opera’s performances commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the NYC premiere of Douglas Moore’s Ballad of Baby Doe as well as acclaimed productions of  Don Giovanni, William Walton’s The Bear (based on Chekov’s one-act play), and The Scarf by Lee Hoiby in commemoration of the opera’s 50th anniversary premiere at the Spoleto Festival.

 

In the summer of 2022, Mr. Aufiero co-founded TerpsiKord, NYC’s newest musical ensemble. Since its inaugural concert, TerpsiKord has been proud to perform with Broadway and opera stars Raquel Suarez Groen, Carlton Moe, Maree Johnson, Gregory Mills, Julie Udine, Jeremy Stolle, Elizabeth Welch and Derrick Davis (the Phantom of the Opera) and Krysty Swann (the Metropolitan Opera).

Performances thus far include a benefit concert of Handel’s Messiah, a two evening engagement at Don’t Tell Mama of Phantom Phorever, as well as a gala concert at NYC’S Symphony Space entitled ‘Crossroads’ this past August.

 

As a guest conductor, Mr. Aufiero led the Marcello Giordani Foundation Gala Concert where he collaborated with such celebrated artists as Marcello Giordani, Lise Lindstrom, Leah Crochetto, Stephen Costello, and Victor Antipenko. He has conducted productions for Syracuse Opera, Opera in the James, Toledo Opera, Opera Carolina,  and most recently for New York City Opera, debuting as conductor for its production of Barbiere di Siviglia in 2022 as well as conducting his first production with Opera Idaho (Barbiere di Siviglia) in October of 2022.  He returns to OI this fall to lead its next season opener, Le Nozze di Figaro.

 

An active vocal coach and accompanist, Mr. Aufiero was principal pianist and studio coach to renowned vocal pedagogue and Metropolitan Opera soprano Diana Soviero, collaborating on master classes for vocal technique, style and repertoire study.