Opera for Peace Academy 2026 – Lugano Gala Concert

One stage. Ten voices. A world of opera.
 
On 12 September, the Gala Concert of the Opera for Peace Academy 2026 – Lugano brought together ten remarkable artists from across the globe on the stage of LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura in an evening of music, artistry, and connection.
 
A heartfelt bravo to our incredible Academy artists:
 
🔸 Nursultan Anuarbek – Tenor, Kazakhstan
🔸 Alec Carlson – Tenor & OfP Emerging Artist Alumni, USA
🔸 Andres Cascante – Baritone, Costa Rica
🔸 Youngkug Jin – Bass-baritone, South Korea
🔸 Inés Lorans – Soprano, Spain/France
🔸 Thandiswa Mpongwana – Mezzo-soprano, South Africa
🔸 Valentina Puskás – Soprano, Hungary/Romania
🔸 Sarah Rappoport – Mezzo-soprano & Lugano 2026 Fellowship Artist, Switzerland
🔸 Dilan Şaka – Mezzo-soprano, Türkiye
🔸 XÏA Hanxiao Wang – Soprano, China
 
The Gala Concert came together through the work of Maestro Kamal Khan and the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, Claudia Blersch, Stage Director, Michel El Ghoul, Assistant Stage Director & Scenographer, and Davide Fersini, Moderator.
 
A special thank you to LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura for welcoming Opera for Peace into their home and to everyone who joined us for this celebration of talent, artistic exchange and shared vision. 🌍
 
The 5th Opera for Peace Academy in Lugano was made possible thanks to the valued support of our main sponsor BNP Paribas Foundation.
 
 
Photo Credit: LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Natalia Tsarkova, Michel El Ghoul