Usually with a conversation, and nothing more than that.

daniel@biaggioperaprive.com / +1.917.941.0399 / +41 78 266 02 69

Most people who write to me aren't sure what they are asking for yet. That's the normal starting point, and it's a good one.

So we talk — twenty minutes, on the telephone or over coffee if you're in Zürich or New York. You tell me what draws you to this, or what you'd like to understand better, or which evening you have in mind. I'll tell you honestly whether I'm the right person, and what I'd suggest.

There's nothing to prepare and nothing to commit to. I don't send proposals, and I won't follow up more than once.

You don't need to know much about opera. Some of my most rewarding guests came to it late and arrived slightly embarrassed about how little they knew. That's a considerably better position than knowing a great deal and having stopped being surprised.

You don't need an introduction. Many of my guests come through people I know, and that's how this world has always worked. But if you found me on your own and something here spoke to you, that's reason enough to write.

You don't need to start with a season. Most people begin with a single evening, in a city they were going to be in anyway.

How I work

I'm at every performance myself. That's the whole point, and it also means I can only look after a small number of guests in a season — a handful of evenings, and one or two patrons for a full year.

I'll tell you plainly if a date is already taken, and I'd rather do that than spread myself across more nights than I can be properly present for.

Fees are fixed and quoted in writing before anything is confirmed. Your own travel advisors handle flights, hotels and cars. I handle the opera.

If you're not ready

Many people aren't, at first. Opera runs on seasons, and the right evening may be a year away.

If that's you, join my monthly letter. I write about what I've seen, which productions are worth the journey, and where I'll be. No more than once a month, and you can stop at any time.

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