Committee Chair
DAMA VICTORIA J. TARANTINO
Dama Victoria Tarantino, a celebrated soprano, has enchanted audiences worldwide with her versatile performances across the operatic spectrum. Known for her deeply expressive portrayals, she has brought to life a wide array of roles, including Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello, and Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust. Her range spans iconic roles like Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata, Carmen and Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen, and Mimi and Musetta in Puccini’s La Bohème. She has also graced audiences with her interpretations of works such as Antonia in Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann, Adina in Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore, and the title role in the world premiere of Carmela Sinco’s Raya & Sag-In. An exceptional interpreter of Mozart, Victoria has made a specialty of roles like Pamina in The Magic Flute, Zerlina, Donna Elvira and Donna Anna in Don Giovanni, and Fiordiligi in Così Fan Tutte, showcasing her refined vocal technique and depth of artistry.
Beyond the operatic stage, Victoria has earned acclaim as a recitalist, bringing classical art songs to life with her warmth and sensitivity. Her European recital debut took place at the iconic Villa Kerylos in Nice, France, where her performance earned her a royal invitation to perform for HRH Princess Caroline in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Stateside, she has curated programs for audiences such as a lecture-recital on Claude Debussy’s Ariettes Oubliées, a celebrated presentation at Fire Island Cultural Center featuring works by Brahms, Puccini, and Gershwin, and numerous appearances at the Town & Gown Concert Series at New Jersey City University, where she drew standing-room-only crowds. As a guest artist, Victoria has performed the world premiere of Dr. Robert Boury’s song cycle, To Dream Again, at the Centennial Convention of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, as well as a featured soloist at the Women Composers’ Symposium at New Jersey City University for composer Margaret Fairlie-Kennedy.
Victoria’s esteemed collaborations extend to the South Orange Symphony Orchestra, the Enrico Caruso Foundation in New York City, the New Jersey State Opera, Opera at Florham, and Opera Noire of New York, each of which has showcased her as a special guest artist. Her Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Hall with the Pacific Opera Ensemble Company marked a pinnacle of her career, affirming her place among distinguished performers.
Her talent has garnered numerous awards, including first place in the South Orange Symphony Orchestra Artist Competition and a prestigious Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council. She also holds the honor of being first runner-up in the Verna Ross Career Performance Grant Competition, a finalist in the Joyce Dutka Arts Foundation Competition, and an award recipient at the IX International Music Festival in Trujillo, Peru.
Raised in New Jersey, Victoria’s multicultural heritage—rooted in her Dutch-Aruban mother’s lineage—fosters her passion for language and performance. Fluent in multiple languages, she credits her diverse background for her unique musicality and sensitivity to varied artistic traditions. Victoria earned both a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Master of Music with a concentration in Opera Performance from New Jersey City University, where she deepened her expertise and dedication to her craft.
She is actively involved as a Parishioner of St. Francis R.C. Church in Hoboken, NJ. There she is a Cantor and a member of the Young Adult and Cursillo Groups. She is also a member of the Devotees of Madonna dei Martiri which is an Italian American Society connected with St. Francis Parish. In her personal life, Victoria shares a deep commitment to service and community engagement, and she is soon to begin a new chapter. She is married to Cav. David N. Tarantino, Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 1908.