October 7, 2020 – Today marks the launch of Insignia Athlone Artists, a collaborative agency combining principals Gloria Parker of Insignia Artists, Miguel Rodríguez of Athlone Artists and Catriona Bell, all three seasoned arts industry leaders with experience on both sides of the audition table. Insignia Athlone Artists will bring select artists from each of the international rosters to the European market.
At a time when major agencies are folding, success in the performing arts field requires flexibility and adaptability. The new triumvirate behind Insignia Athlone Artists – all accomplished singers themselves – brings decades of performance, artistic direction, and development experience to arts management.
“In a time of transition, we see opportunity,” says Insignia Athlone co-founder Gloria Parker. “In the shadow of events that have crushed the arts, we see promise.”
The Insignia Athlone Artists roster will consist of select opera and concert singers, conductors, and stage directors from both the Insignia and Athlone Artists agencies. The 38 artists on the founding roster will include sopranos Julia Sitkovetsky, Whitney Morrison, Rena Harms and Helen Zhibing Huang; mezzo-sopranos Melanie Forgeron and Sarah Coit; tenors Spencer Britten, Edward Graves and Eric Fennell; baritones Benedict Nelson and Xiaomeng Zhang; bass-baritone Tristan Hambleton; and basses Brian Kontes and Paolo Pecchioli. Maestros Christopher James Ray, David Bloom, and Maria Sensi Sellner add their names to the illustrious roster, along with stage directors Chuck Hudson and Gianni Santucci. For a survey of the full roster visit www.insigniaathlone.com.
“Insignia Athlone Artists will provide comprehensive worldwide service, bringing to bear a depth of knowledge in our combined skills,” says Insignia Athlone co-founder Miguel Rodríguez. “That includes extensive personal experience with vocalism and stagecraft, honest evaluation of talent, thoughtful casting, and integrity in our professional relationships.”
“Promotion of exceptional talent is our goal,” says Insignia Athlone Artists’ Catriona Bell. “Big enough to count but small enough to care, we are dedicated to creating new waves that carry classical music into the future.”
About Gloria Parker
Gloria Parker, Co-Founder of Insignia Athlone Artists received a BA from Oklahoma City University, a MM in Vocal Performance from Manhattan School of Music, and Certification in Arts Administration from New York University. She is a RIVA Institute certified qualitative market research analyst and focus group moderator whose clients included GFK Japan, Sony, IBM, Honda, IBM, Sage Group, Warner Home Entertainment, Belkin, Apple, Hyundai, and Dr. Pepper. Before co-founding Insignia Athlone Artists, she managed the international clientele of a London-based arts management firm in New York City and is currently Executive Director of Insignia Artists US.
As a mezzo-soprano, Gloria sang signature roles in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. She performed with the Hamburgische Staatsoper, Teatro Regio Torino, Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli, Vancouver Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Washington Opera, Seattle Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Cleveland Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, and the Stratford Festival. She was a featured soloist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall, and has appeared in concert with orchestras across the United States. Ms. Parker has performed leading roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway and on national and international tours.
Her professional affiliations include Opera America, the League of American Orchestras, Actors Equity, Canadian Actors Equity, American Guild of Musical Artists, American Federation of Musicians, and AFTRA.
About Miguel A. Rodriguez
Co-Founder of Insignia Athlone Artists, Miguel A. Rodríguez has spent the past 20 years leading some of New England’s most acclaimed cultural organizations. Most recently he served as Executive Director of Boston Baroque, America’s oldest period-instrument orchestra. During his six-year tenure he raised the company’s profile by elevating the artistic level of its guest soloists, developed new community outreach initiatives, launched Boston Baroque Radio, and refreshed the image of the organization through innovation, improved branding and social media engagement. In 2018 Miguel founded Athlone Artists US, where he serves as President and represents an exclusive roster of opera singers, conductors and stage directors.
His prior experience also includes senior executive positions with Opera Boston, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and Scullers Jazz Club. In 2007 he was one of a small number of leaders selected by the Massachusetts Cultural Council to participate in the first Executive Leadership Program for Non-Profit Cultural Organizations at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. In 2011 he was one of 20 to be selected nationally to join The 21st Century Fellows Program, a multi-year leadership development program for LGBT people of color.
Trained as an opera singer, Miguel studied voice at the University of Michigan with soprano Martha Sheil and tenor George Shirley. He continued his graduate work in voice under renown soprano Phyllis Curtin at Boston University, and went on to sing in many opera houses throughout Europe and the United States. Miguel has served on the Board of Directors of Early Music America (former President), SpeakEasy Stage Company, Coro Allegro and the New England Orchestra Consortium. He is an active member of the International Artist Managers’ Association (IAMA), Opera Managers Association International (OMAI), the North American Performing Artist Managers and Agents (NAPAMA), Opera America, the League of American Orchestras and the Association of Performing Arts Professionals.
About Catriona Bell
Catriona Bell was born in Zurich, Switzerland and grew up in Australia, where she graduated with a BA/BMUS (History, Psychology) from University of Melbourne. She sang roles with many of the leading Australian opera companies, winning several of the country’s singing competitions. After moving to Europe, she worked as a soprano for three seasons in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland before returning to London to undertake an MA International Communications degree at the University of London, majoring in marketing with a focus on the Arts sector. In the course of her studies, she interned with IMG Artists and a classical music PR company. Before joining Insignia Athlone Artists, Catriona was head of the opera department at CLB Management, a French/UK agency and worked as an Associate Artist Manager for Insignia Artists US, where she manages the careers of performers in the European and United Kingdom market.
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Rebecca Davis
Rebecca Davis Public Relations
Rebecca@rebeccadavispr.com
347-432-8832
