The Pehlivanian Professional Opera Academy (PPOA), established under the leadership of Maestro George Pehlivanian. PPOA offers comprehensive training for conductors and vocalists from around the world, focusing on skill enhancement. Every summer, PPOA stages an opera production across various Slovenian cities, enriching the local cultural offerings.
PPOA is a cultural event designed to showcase a wide range of musical artistry in a single evening. This unique opera performance brings together various conductors and singers, allowing the audience to perceive and enjoy the subtle differences between individual artists and observe their mutual communication and interaction with the audience. Additionally, PPOA’s distinctive approach involves multiple singers interpreting the same main or supporting roles, enriching the opera experience, and providing a deeper insight into each performer’s artistic expression.
PPOA offers an opportunity for an in-depth and diverse musical experience that is sure to captivate and delight opera enthusiasts at the highest level.
In 2026, PPOA wil present ’Elisir d’Amore’ , one of Donizetti’s most beloved comic operas (opera buffa). Continuing a series of successful semi – staged operas such as “Don Giovanni”, “La Traviata”, “La Boheme”, “Le Barbier de Séville”, “Carmen” and “Le Nozze di Figaro”, which have attracted over 40,000 visitors. This achievement underscores its impact on popularizing opera among a broad audience.
Each year, the Pehlivanian Professional Opera Academy accepts up to 20 singers from around the world to participate in practical training in performing various opera roles under the guidance of Maestro George Pehlivanian and his internationally renowned team of vocal coaches.
Public rehearsals and live concert performances are an essential component of the Pehlivanian Professional Opera Academy’s training curriculum. Performing before an audience enables conductors and singers to develop critical professional competencies that cannot be fully acquired in studio settings alone, including ensemble leadership, stage communication, artistic endurance, adaptability, and real-time musical decision-making.
All rehearsals and performances are conducted under full artistic supervision and form part of the Academy’s structured educational programme. Participation in public concerts is therefore a learning requirement, not an employment engagement.
Chief Correpetitor
Fügen Yigitgil
Is the Chief Correpetitor of the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet since 2015, and worked as correpetitor pianist over three decades at the Ankara State opera and Ballet. Trained in Siena Chigiana Music Academy and Mannes College in New York. Mrs. Yigitgil plays a crucial role in training opera singers in helping them master vocal technique, diction, and interpretation of operatic repertoire.
Tenor
Janez Lotrič
Ranked among the world’s top tenors; As a regular guest, he sang in Regensburg, Salzburg, Vienna (Staatsoper) and Graz; further guest appearances at La Scala (2000/01, Calaf and Manrico – he was urged NOT to sing the high C in Di quella pira so as not to outdo the Italian tenor who was sharing the role with him), Opéra Bastille, Covent Garden, Bolshoj, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Zürich, Palermo, Rome, Japan, etc.
Baritone
Domenico Balzani
He holds degrees in Political and Economic Sciences (University of Sassari) and in Economics and Management of Arts and Cultural Heritage (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice), as well as advanced diplomas in Singing and Musical Disciplines from the Conservatories of Verona and Rovigo. Alongside his teaching activity in singing and cultural management at several conservatories, he directs the editorial series ProgettArte and has collaborated with major international opera studios and institutions.
Since 1990 he has enjoyed a distinguished international operatic career, winning major competitions including Basiola, Tagliavini, Spoleto, and Rosetum, and reaching the finals of Plácido Domingo’s Operalia. He has performed leading roles at the world’s foremost theatres, collaborated with renowned conductors and directors, and recorded for labels such as Decca, Bongiovanni, Dynamic, Brilliant Classics, and Phaedra, including world premieres and landmark productions.
Soprano
Lavinia Bini
She graduated in Singing with top marks from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence and holds a degree in Legal Sciences from the University of Pisa. After her 2009 debut as Berta in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, she quickly established an international career, performing at major theatres and festivals such as Teatro alla Scala, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Teatro Colón, Arena di Verona, Salzburg Festival, Opéra Bastille, and leading opera houses across Europe, Asia, and South America. Her repertoire spans Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini, with acclaimed performances as Adina, Musetta, Mimì, Norina, Donna Anna, Zerlina, Gilda, and Ilia, as well as a strong presence in contemporary opera and world premieres.
