About Gabriella
Gabriella was born in San Diego, California, and raised between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, where she began her musical journey at an early age, performing in school concerts and as a member of her local church choir.
She commenced her formal vocal training at the Conservatorio de la OBC in Tijuana, studying classical singing before enrolling as a Dramatic Arts major with a music minor at Mesa College in San Diego. Committed to advancing her artistry, Gabriella continued her theatrical studies at the Escuela Superior de Artes y Espectáculos in Madrid, Spain, where she had the distinct privilege of studying under the tutelage of renowned Spanish Zarzuela soprano Josefina Arregui. Her artistic development has been profoundly influenced by her work with distinguished pedagogues including Ignacio Clapes, Mary McKenzie, Ilia Aramayo, Roberto Coviello, Erika Pagan, and renowned mezzosoprano Bianca Maria Casoni.
In 2010, Gabriella was selected to perform the title role of Carmen in Bizet's opera at the Festival de Ópera en la Calle in Tijuana under the direction of José Medina. She maintained her artistic collaboration with the festival through 2012, notably performing the role of Lola in Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana. Following performances at distinguished venues throughout Spain, Mexico, and the United States, she relocated to Milan, Italy, where she was accepted at the prestigious Scuola Civica di Musica Claudio Abbado.
Upon completing her Bachelor's degree in Classical Singing, Gabriella made her Italian operatic debut in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busseto, Italy. She subsequently returned to the same theater to perform the role of Kate Pinkerton in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. Her expanding repertoire has led to engagements across Europe, including a concert performance of the title role in Puccini's Tosca at Teatro Gatto in Switzerland, and a return to the role of Donna Elvira in a production of Don Giovanni in Varese, Italy. She portrayed Maria in the Scuola Civica Claudio Abbado's production of Bernstein's West Side Story, a role she reprised on two subsequent occasions in Milan. Recent engagements include the roles of La Fata Turchina and La Volpe in Natalia Valli's Pinocchio, and Serafina in Opera Italia's production of Donizetti's Il Campanello in Los Angeles. Her repertoire encompasses such roles as Donna Elvira, Tosca, Leonora in Il Trovatore, the Contessa d'Almaviva, Elisabetta, and the title role in Adriana Lecouvreur, among others.
Gabriella currently trains and performs throughout Italy, where she maintains her residence. She appears on the 2024-2025 Season Singer Roster at the Teatro Lirico Sperimentale di Spoleto, having also been featured on their 2023-2024 season roster. Her voice is distinguished by its warmth, tonal richness, extensive range, and remarkable versatility. Her concert series have garnered significant acclaim, including the sold-out production Le Stagioni dell'Amore (The Seasons of Love).
Among her notable appearances, Gabriella was invited by the United States Consulate of Milan to perform the United States National Anthem at the XXV Italian Super Bowl at Vigorelli Stadium in Milan. She has also presented two acclaimed lecture-recitals: the first in Italy commemorating the Puccini Death Centennial, entitled "Puccini and His Muses," and the second in California, "A Day in the Life of a Soprano." Through both her performances and educational initiatives, Gabriella remains dedicated to fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of opera among diverse audiences.