OPERA FOR PEACE ACADEMY – LUGANO 2026 – The Artists

We are thrilled to unveil the 10 exceptional Artists of the OPERA FOR PEACE ACADEMY – LUGANO 2026 – 5th Anniversary Edition.
 
In collaboration with LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura and proudly supported by Fondation BNP Paribas, this milestone edition brings together a remarkable new generation of talent from across the globe:
 
 
🔷️ 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
🔷️ Dilan Şaka – Mezzo-soprano, Türkiye
🔷️ XÏA Hanxiao Wang – Soprano, China
 
 
As part of our commitment to supporting emerging talent in host countries, we are delighted to welcome Swiss mezzo-soprano Sarah Rappoport as our Lugano 2026 Fellowship Artist.
 
Stay tuned as these inspiring artists come together in Lugano for an immersive programme of masterclasses, workshops, and mentorship with leading industry professionals — culminating in a Final Concert with Orchestra della Svizzera italiana — celebrating artistic excellence, collaboration, and peace through music.