BERNARD UZAN

Director

Bernard Uzan’s extensive background in the arts includes success as an artists’ manager, general director, artistic director, stage director, librettist, designer, actor, and most recently, a published novelist. In 2003, he founded the Uzan Division of Pinnacle Arts Management, which quickly established itself in the operatic community for its formidable roster of both young and renowned artists, including singers, stage directors, designers, and conductors. From this success, he has formed his new company, Uzan International Artists, allowing him to expand his esteemed associations with even more prestigious companies not only in the United States, but throughout Europe, Asia and South America. As a stage director and a producer, Mr. Uzan’s productions have graced the stages of 100 opera companies in North America, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and South America with more than 375 productions. He has co-designed more than 50 productions that continue to be seen throughout the world. As a librettist and director, Mr. Uzan collaborated with composer David DiChiera and conductor Mark Flint on the new production of Cyrano, which made its world premiere at the Michigan Opera Theatre and Opera Company of Philadelphia to wide acclaim.

Mr. Uzan also served as General and Artistic Director for L’Opera de Montreal from 1988-2002, in which he brought financial success and artistic renown by expanding the number of productions from 4 to 7 and the number of yearly performances from 22 to 40. He also extended the company’s repertoire to include more obscure pieces by Menotti and Britten and even brought in new works such as Therese Raquin by Tobias Picker and Nelligan by Andre Gagnon. While at Montreal Opera, he mounted over 30 new productions which are still in circulation throughout North America today and of which many were broadcast live on Canadian Television.

A native of France, Mr. Uzan is a graduate of the University of Paris, with Ph.D.’s in Literature, Theatrical Studies and in Philosophy. He began his career in the theater as an actor and director, and appeared in leading theaters throughout Europe. He emigrated to the U.S., where he established French Theater in America, which toured for ten years giving 200 performances per year. He pursued an academic career as Professor of Literature, Acting, and Directing at Wellesley and Middlebury College in addition to his work as an actor and director. He was also the producer and the main French voice for many French academic books. In 2008, Mr. Uzan’s first novel, The Shattered Sky, was published in both French and English. In 2010, he returned to the stage to direct Ultraviolet’s Adolf and Andy in New York City.

VANESSA UZAN

Managing Director

Vanessa Uzan has established herself as one of the most sought after managers in the operatic field. Over the past ten years as an Artists’ Manager, she has been invited by numerous opera companies to work with various Resident and Young Artists Programs giving master classes and seminars in which she effectively communicates the aspects of business and management in the opera world, has served as a judge for several vocal competitions, and has been a panelist for many artist/manager discussion groups at classical conventions around the United States. As Managing Director of the newly formed company, Uzan International Artists, Ms. Uzan has elevated her managerial approach and methods to encompass an even wider range of artistic and progressive excellence in the operatic realm.

She is also the founder of Ubiquité Productions which produces special events throughout the New York City area and was recently featured on a BRAVO TV reality program. Earlier in her career, she co-founded the production company Rustik Entertainment, which created two television pilots, Location Vacation and Script to Screen. She produced a number of short films that have been shown at the New York Film Festival, Israeli Film Festival, Boston Film Festival, and New York Underground Film Festival. Ms. Uzan received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with a specialization in producing.

DANA O’CONNELL

Artist Manager

A current arts administrator based in New York, Native Texan Dana O’Connell holds an extensive background in the operatic and classical music repertoires. With a specialization and training in the field of German opera and history, Dana brings a fresh perspective and creative approach in representing and managing the careers of several classical singers in the United States and abroad. Ms. O’Connell has held such positions as assistant director for multiple operatic and staged productions at Southern Methodist University as well as managerial associate  for a series of Broadway revue concerts taking place at symphonic orchestra venues throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Dana has also participated in music festivals and academic programs throughout Germany and the Amalfi Coast of Italy. To uphold her interests in artists’ advocacy and labor rights, Dana has gained experience while serving as a paralegal and client services representative at various law firms in the Boston area providing representation and counsel in matters of personal and corporate law and litigation. Dana has received a Bachelors degree in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts followed by a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, each with a specialization in arts administration.

FRANCESCA CONDELUCI

Associate

A classically trained violinist, Francesca’s most recent position was as part of the Orchestra Personnel Management team and Music Librarian for the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston SC. Previously, she served as an associate at Pittsburgh Opera in both the Education and Administrative departments and managed the 2012 Resident Artist audition process.  Her responsibilities at Pittsburgh Opera also included music librarian, creating educational materials for presentations, performing database maintenance, and acting as volunteer supervisor.  Recently, she also acted as an artist liaison for the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions in the Great Lakes region, and continues to freelance as a violinist.