Shine Spotlight on Tackle Key Verdi Role Sworn in As Dental
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COMMUNITY Highlights ■ Rising star to ■ Dr. Biasiello tackle key Verdi role sworn in as dental in Lyric debut society director Tenor Giorgio Berrugi has picked Bringing more than 30 years of expe- the perfect role for his Lyric Opera rience in dentistry to the post, Dr. debut. With his warm, Italian sound, Michael Biasiello stepped up as a direc- exceptional musicality and passionate tor of the Chicago Dental Society’s North- interpretations, he’s the ideal Alfredo west Side Branch effective Jan. 1. A past for the Lyric’s upcoming production of president of the branch, Biasiello will Verdi’s “La traviata.” focus his efforts as director on increasing “We are excited to welcome Gior- membership and getting young dentists gio Berrugi to our stage for his Lyric involved in the Chicago Dental Society debut and his first performances in and in organized dentistry. This past North America of Alfredo,” says Lyric Albert Belmonte year, Biasiello was the general chairman President and CEO Anthony Freud. for the 2018 CDS Midwinter Meeting, Berrugi has sung the role internation- one of the largest exhibitions of dental ally. products and continuing dental educa- A rising star tion in North America. ■ Casa Italia to in the opera A general dentist with a practice in world, Berrugi Park Ridge, Biasiello earned his under- was an award- shine spotlight on graduate and dental degrees from Loyola winning concert Al Belmonte University-Chicago, and holds fellow- clarinetist be- ships in the Academy of General Den- fore vocal in- Casa Italia will honor Albert Bel- tistry, American College of Dentists and structions in monte as Man of the Year on Feb. 9 at the International College of Dentists. He 2007 with La Alta Villa Banquets in Addison. (708- is a member of the Illinois State Dental Scala baritone 345-5933) Society, American Dental Association, Carlo Meliciani A cornerstone of the Calabrese com- Academy of General Dentistry, American Giorgio Berrugi dramatically al- munity, he has been involved in the College of Dentists, International College tered his professional trajectory. He Feast of San Francesco di Paola since its of Dentists, Independent Dental Organi- made his operatic debut at Teatro La inception 37 years ago, and he has been zation and Arcolian Dental Arts Society, Fenice in Venice as Rodolfo in “La bo- active in the Calabresi in America Organ- and is a past president of the latter two hème” the very next year. ization for more than two decades. A organizations. Since then, Berrugi has performed longtime CIAO board member, he has Biasiello has earned several honors in the world’s most important opera been running the group’s monthly meet- in the course of his career for his out- venues, including Teatro alla Scala, ings for 16 years. standing commitment to the dental pro- Royal Opera House in London, Lincoln Membership in the Chicagoland Ital- fession, including Arcolian Man of the Center in New York, Bolshoi Theatre in ian American Charitable Organization Year, the Dean Raffaele Suriano Award Moscow, Théâtre des Champs–Élysées and the St. Anthony Chapter of the IANU from the University of Illinois College of in Paris, Deutsche Oper in Berlin, San Foundation round out his community in- Dentistry, and the Dr. Chauncey Cross Francisco Opera, Gewandhaus in volvement. Political Action Award for the last three Leipzig, Concertgebouw in Amster- Belmonte is best known as the pro- years from the Illinois State Dental Soci- dam, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Wigmore prietor of Belmonte’s Florist. The busi- ety. Hall in London, Parco della Musica in ness was founded on Taylor Street in the Rome, Arena di Verona and Teatro early 1930s by Belmonte’s dad, Umberto, Regio in Turin. Along the way, no less and his uncle Victor. than Placido Domingo dubbed Berrugi Belmonte grew up in the florist shop, one of his musical successors. which his father moved to 6264 W. North Recent engagements have included Ave., and he started working there right La Bohème of the 120th anniversary at after high school. He joined the business Teatro Regio in Turin and Simon Boc- full time after attending Triton College canegra at La Scala. and graduating from Northeastern Uni- “La traviata” will be performed 10 versity, and he’s never looked back. times between Feb. 16 and March 22. For the rest of the story, visit Dr. Michael Biasiello (www.lyricopera.org) www.franoi.com/profiles/ci18A FRA NOI February 2019 55.