STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Wagner College and the Da Vinci Society will present the 20th annual Italian Idol Singing Competition on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the Music Performance Center at Campus Hall.
The event is open to Wagner undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors currently studying voice. Their performances are free and open to the public, courtesy of Wagner College.
Students will compete for major cash prizes by performing Italian art songs and arias. Awards range from a $4,000 first prize to a $1,000 honorable mention.
Wagner College Theatre, ranked #1 in the nation by The Princeton Review for 2026, has held a top 10 spot for over 30 years. Competitions like Italian Idol help students sharpen their skills in the highly regarded performing arts program.Silvestri
A distinguished panel of judges—including renowned opera singers, voice teachers, coaches, and critics—will evaluate the performances.
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Roger Wesby, Professor Emeritus, in collaboration with the Da Vinci Society, the competition began as a modest celebration of Italian cultural heritage. Winners were originally featured in a Viva Italia! concert alongside choral groups and faculty soloists.
Wagner stages Main Stage, studio, and student-run shows—giving Staten Islanders a front-row preview of what’s next on New York City’s theater scene.Silvestri
The event has grown significantly in size and prestige. A pivotal moment came seven years ago when former Wagner trustee Al Palladino attended the competition with a colleague from the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation. Impressed by the quality and organization, the foundation donated $50,000 to support the program.
In recognition of this generous gift, the event is now officially titled the Italian Idol Singing Competition at Wagner College in Memory of Licia Albanese.
The winners will be featured on the Wagner College website. For more information, contact Professor Anthony Turner, competition director/curator, at 917-865-2020 or anthony.turner@wagner.edu.
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