Yves Abel: Conductor. Maestro Abel has conducted in all of the major opera houses of the world and is respected as an innovative symphonic conductor as well. Founder of the French Opera Society of New York who began his music career as a highly acclaimed boy soprano in the 1970's.

Sir Richard Bonynge: Conductor. He recorded countless operas with wife Dame Joan Sutherland in the 1960's, 70's and 80's and is credited with discovering Luciano Pavarotti. Mo. Bonynge is still very active conducting today and is always discovering new talent and unknown works.

Renee Fleming: Soprano. Perhaps the most recognized singer on the planet, collaborating with every major conductor and appearing in every major opera house and concert hall in the world. A familiar face to us in Rochester as an Eastman grad and a native of Churchville, she has become known to nearly anyone who listens to classical music.

Juan Diego Florez: Tenor. One of the brightest young stars today, Juan Diego has become one of the most well known interpreters of the bel canto repertoire in only five years' time. He has sung in all of the most important opera houses in the world and his recordings have put him on the map as a major star.

Sir John Eliot Gardiner: Conductor. Founder of the Monteverdi Choir in London and the Orchestre Revolutionaire et Romantique. Mo. Gardiner records for all major record companies and is the conductor of the soon-to-be released DVD of Berlioz' "Les Troyens" for the BBC and French Television.

Dr. Phillip Gossett: Musicologist. Professor of Music at the University of Chicago and one of the founders of the Fondazione Rossini in Pesaro, Italy -- Rossini's birthplace and home to the annual Rossini Opera Festival. Dr. Gossett is responsible for the organization of continuing research to create "critical editions" of all of Rossini's works, numbering in the hundreds.

Thomas Hampson: Baritone. An exclusive recording artist for EMI, Tom has recorded not only numerous operas but song literature as well. For the last 15 years, he has established himself as the greatest baritone of our day, both in opera and recital.

Jennifer Larmore: Mezzo-Soprano. Jennifer is the heir to the throne formerly occupied by Marilyn Horne. A Rossini specialist, she has sung all of the major cities of the world in opera, oratorio, and recital. She has an extensive list of recordings and continues to be one of the most popular singers in the world.

John Nelson: Conductor. Former Music Director of the Indianapolis Symphony, currently Music Director of the Ensemble Orchestral de Paris. The conductor of the new recording of Berlioz' "Benvenuto Cellini" for EMI Classics, he is particularly noted as a great interpreter of large Romantic works-- especially Berlioz -- and for his vibrant and stylish performances of Baroque music.

Dame Joan Sutherland: Soprano. From the 1950's and continuing through the 1970's, Dame Joan was the preeminent bel canto soprano of the day. With her husband Richard Bonynge and mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, responsible for the rebirth of bel canto singing. Dame Joan retired from the stage in the mid 1980's, but her recordings remain the "gold standard" for singing.

Marco Zambelli: Conductor. Former protégé of John Eliot Gardiner and Choirmaster of the Opera de Lyon and Chef d'Orchestre for Opera de Nice. Now a specialist in nineteenth century opera literature and one of the most sought-after conductors around the world. An accomplished organist, Mo. Zambelli is also an expert in orchestration and musicology.