ORIADA ISLAMI

Founder / Executive Director

ORIADA ISLAMI  - A dedicated and accomplished artist who grew up in a family of opera singers, she brings over 30 years of experience performing at esteemed opera houses around the world. Her career highlights include performances at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opera North (UK), Queen Elizabeth Hall, Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Deutsche Oper Berlin, Frankfurt Theatre, Opéra Ballet de Lyon, Bunkamura Concert Hall in Tokyo, Art Center Opera Theatre in Seoul, and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, among others. Ms. Islami has been fortunate to witness the beauty of opera from many perspectives throughout her career, enriching both her artistry and her appreciation for the global operatic tradition.

"Understanding the challenges and dreams that artists carry within them, I believe emerging artists deserve opportunities to grow alongside masters. I believe creativity must evolve—and that innovation and emotion are key to keeping the arts alive. The most powerful art doesn’t just entertain — it heals, uplifts, and brings us closer to our shared humanity. That belief is what drives both my artistic work and my humanitarian mission. I founded The Opera Tech to reimagine what opera can be and ensure its continued relevance".

Oriada Islami's career has allowed her to collaborate with some of the world's finest artists, directors, choreographers, musicians, singers, and dancers. In 2003, Ms Islami stood out among over 1,000 women who auditioned in London and was selected by world-renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp to join the cast of a Tony Award-nominated Broadway production, "Movin Out," performing the role of Brenda and Judy, as conceived and created by Tharp and featuring the songs of Billy Joel.

Her work as a Director, Choreographer, Producer and Performer in the short video "Breath" was awarded with the prominent Venice 2020 Best International Short Video, and Indie Short Fest 2020 Outstanding Achievement Award Screen Dance. This showcases her versatility and skill in different aspects of the performing arts.

She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree and has furthered her expertise through Harvard University's Certificate in Strategy Execution for Public Leadership, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning and impactful leadership in the public sector. 

SAIMIR PIRGU

Artistic Director

"One of the world's most important interpreters of lyric tenor roles" (Opera Today) 

SAIMIR PIRGU  - Is an internationally celebrated tenor, known for his "exceptionally boyish" and "gently ardent" voice. He has performed at major operatic venues around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. Pirgu is also highly regarded as a concert singer, with notable performances of Verdi's Messa da Requiem with the Vienna Philharmonic and Orchestra dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia. He has collaborated with conductors including Riccardo Muti, Mariss Jansons, and Antonio Pappano, and has recorded an aria album with the Haydn Orchestra of Bolzano. The DVD/Blu-Ray recording of Król Roger from the Royal Opera House Covent Garden featuring Pirgu as Shepherd received a Grammy Awards nomination for Best Opera Recording in 2016.

Learn more: https://www.saimirpirgu.com

A dynamic force in the entertainment industry. Forty-odd years ago, Robert Cutarella  pursued his childhood dream of a career in the music industry. That decision led to two Grammy Awards as a producer, over 3,000 songs recorded as a publisher, and more than 160 platinum records.

Robert began as a producer and performer, working with major labels and artists such as Joe Williams and Bruce Springsteen. In 1978, Chappell Music/Polygram, then the world’s largest publisher, recruited him for his unmatched ability to match artists with songs. He secured covers, signed and developed writers, and delivered hits for Chaka Khan, Michael Jackson, Sheena Easton, Air Supply, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Dolly Parton, The Police, Elton John, REM, Culture Club, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, and many more. He also worked with Chappell’s premier roster, including Hall & Oates, The Bee Gees, Sammy Cahn, Benny Benjamin, and Jule Styne. Robert later became Vice President of John Hammond’s new CBS/Sony label, where he signed or developed Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Metallica, Vanessa Williams, Gino Vannelli, Patrick Simmons, Basia, and others. He went on to found Zaymin/Hitlist, a publishing and management company behind global hits for Celine Dion, The Temptations, .38 Special, Jennifer Rush, Alice Cooper, and more. The management side represented Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Van Zant, and others. The publishing catalog was eventually sold to Polygram.

In 1990, he joined MCA Music as East Coast Director of Talent Acquisition, contributing to hits by Eternal, SWV, Michael Bolton, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Celine Dion, Robin S, and many others.

Since 1994, Robert has continued as an independent producer, working with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Les Paul, Joss Stone, Sting, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Alison Krauss, Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Keith Richards, Cyndi Lauper, and more. In 2008, he produced Ashley Tisdale for MGM’s Picture This. He won multiple Grammys in 2005 and remains active in placing music in hit TV shows like American Idol, X Factor, The Voice, NCIS, Bloodline, and various FOX programs. He’s produced four Billboard Dance Top 20 singles in recent years and continues to mentor and develop new artists.

Robert co-founded Inspiros Entertainment with Phil Quartararo (former CEO of Virgin, Warner Bros., and EMI), signing major-label deals for Jeremy Soule and The Melisizwe Brothers. He also scored a No. 1 record with Ben Platt via NBC’s Songland.