Overview
Voice
Teaches: Applied Voice, Voice Literature, Essential Somatics for Singers and Instrumentalists
Lirico-spinto soprano Dr. Cristina Castaldi has been described as “a rare talent with a warm, agile, exciting voice… she moves like a dancer, looks like a model and is at home on stage as off…. her vocal technique is unfaltering and her pianissimo high floats are without comparison.” She specializes in bel canto, early Verdi and verismo repertoire.
Dr. Castaldi is a fully certified Essential Somatics® movement teacher and created the courses “Essential Somatics® for Singers” and “Essential Somatics for Instrumentalists,” the only Essential Somatics® college courses in the nation. She is a sought-after educator and clinician, presenting workshops and master classes for organizations such as the Kansas Music Educators Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the National Opera Association. She also offers an online course and individual sessions for singers, applying Essential Somatics uniquely to vocal training.
Recent performances include soprano soloist in “Carmina Burana” in Prague, Czech Republic; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and East Texas Symphony Orchestra; and Haydn’s “The Creation” with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She performs newly programmed recitals each year.
Her operatic roles include Alice Ford in “Falstaff” and Le Prince Charmant in “Cendrillon” (both award-winning productions), Mimì in a concert performance of “La Bohème” with the Rutgers Symphony Orchestra, Giovanna in “Giovanna d’Arco” with Sarasota Opera, Musetta in “La Bohème,” Madame Lidoine in “Dialogues of the Carmelites,” Magda in “La Rondine,” Violetta in “La Traviata” and Miss Jessel in “The Turn of the Screw.”
Dr. Castaldi earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance from Rutgers University, a Master of Music in vocal performance with distinction from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Kennesaw State University.
Bachelor of Music in vocal performance - Kennesaw State University.
Master of Music in vocal performance - New England Conservatory of Music
Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance - Rutgers University