A Maestro Is Born

The Lyric Orchestra was founded in 1992 by Maestro Franco Bertacci in New Jersey. A very young Franco was exposed to what is now recognized as the Golden Age of singing. It was when theaters were filled to capacity with audiences eager to hear the unbelievable voices of the time; people were so excited to participate in these historic musical events, they would gladly stand for hours and be swept away by the glorious sounds. Inspired by such brilliance, he eventually realized his potential by surrounding himself with exceptional musicians who served as valuable mentors.

After completing his personal journey, he decided to impart what he had learned to young musicians. He saw in them a reflection of himself in their passion and dedication to their music. His vision is to create a renaissance and revive the Golden Age of singing here in South Florida. Franco’s first voice teacher was a student of the renowned Tulio Serafin, who, as a developer of young talent, was instrumental in the careers of Rosa Ponselle and Maria Callas. As a principal conductor at both La Scala and The Metropolitan opera, Serafin expanded the repertory of both companies away from the standard Italian repertory by introducing such well-known works as Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier and leading the first American performances of Puccini’s Turandot and Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra.

The wealth of knowledge that Serafin passed on served as a great foundation for Franco’s musical career. He first sang internationally as a bass-baritone, making his professional debut with Robert Merrill. He sang in the historic Teatro Verdi in Busetto, Italy, the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi. Throughout his professional career Franco has had the privilege of studying private voice with such legends as Cornelius Reid and Franco Corelli, one of the voices that made the Golden Age of singing. He polished his artistry and vocal technique by coaching with Renata Tebaldi, Carlo Bergonzi and Giulietta Simionato, other legendary, “golden” voices.

Franco’s extensive knowledge of the art form and ability to relate to young artists first led him to conduct many master classes; among them at the Opera Company of Philadelphia, Opera Australia, housed in the famous Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Albert Hall in London. He mentored at the Met Young Artist Program, where he also taught private voice, and the Munich, Germany Young Artist Program. He recently established The Lyric Orchestra Opera Studio, where he trains the singers that will be performing in The Lyric Orchestra productions. His students have performed in opera houses around the world; he has seen them excite audiences at Teatro Alla Scala in Italy, Covent Garden in London, Chicago, Vienna and San Francisco. It is Franco’s dedication and tutelage that has opened the way for The Lyric Orchestra to usher in the new Golden Age of singing.

Our Managing Director

Managing Director, Ebony Taylor is a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of Rutgers University, where she received her Baccalaureate of Philosophy. Ms.Taylor’s background with not for profit organizations spans from the musical and theatrical arts to volunteer and humanitarian work. From 2002-2004 Ms.Taylor was a member of the Lenape Performing Arts Center performing such roles as; Ronette in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Judge Harper in “Miracle on 34th Street” and The Ghost of Christmas Present in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”.

When her career at The Lenape Performing Arts center was complete, Ebony decided to pursue not for profit administrative work as well as her degree in Philosophy. She was a regular volunteer for the South Jersey Infectious disease clinic where her primary focus was helping individuals living with HIV/AIDS. She was also instrumental in planning special events that raised awareness and the need to educate the public about HIV/AIDS. Keeping a busy schedule, Ebony also held the offices of Treasurer and President of The Philosophy Society at Rutgers Camden. As President, Ebony had the distinguished opportunity to regularly lecture Philosophy courses to incoming undergraduates at Rutgers U.

While living in the New York Metropolitan area, Ebony discovered a deep love and appreciation for classical music and opera, attending regular performances in all of the major halls of New York City and Philadelphia. Upon graduating from Rutgers, Ms. Taylor decided to culminate her artistic as well as volunteer experience as a full time career. This year Ebony took an offer to help the Oakland Park Dental Center of Nova Southeastern University in their ever growing service to the Ryan White program. Upon moving to South Florida, Ms.Taylor discovered The Lyric Orchestra, attended performances and jumped on the chance to volunteer. Through much of her hard work and public relations abilities, Ebony was offered the position of The Lyric Orchestra’s managing director. It is her goal to help spread the mission of The Lyric Orchestra and to bring the realization of a musical renaissance to the people of South Florida.