Soprano Andrianna Smela has performed eclectic repertoire encompassing Early Music, Zarzuela, and improvisational opera. Currently she collaborates with pianist Maria Dessena in performances of unique Classical Cabaret programs. The core repertoire of these shows is the music of Kurt Weill; the programming also includes pieces by Schoenberg, Poulenc, Bolcom, songs popularized by Edith Piaf, and tangos by Polish composer Petersburski. The duo has performed at the Metropolitan Room, the Liederkranz Club, the Singer's Forum in New York City. This summer they will be appearing at the Jazz Bar as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Andrianna's opera and concert experience includes: Belinda in Dido and Aeneas with the Bronx Opera and Mařenka in The Bartered Bride with the Liederkranz Foundation, as well as Handel's Messiah, Vivaldi's Gloria, and Bach's Magnificat with the West Islip Symphony and Sophisticated Strings. This summer she will perform the role of Mrs. Peachum in Weill's The Threepenny Opera with the Princeton Festival.
Andrianna graduated from the IU School of Music and has attended summer programs at the Jarvis Conservatory Zarzuela workshop and OperaWorks. She currently resides in New York City.
Singer, pianist, accordionist and saxophonist Maria Dessena has been performing for New York audiences for over a decade. Some of her favorite endeavors include the role of Music Director for the Brick Theater’s production of Lord Oxford Presents the American Revolution… as well as In This Lonely Town: The Music of Kurt Weill – an ongoing Classical Cabaret collaboration with soprano Andrianna Smela. She is a frequent contributor at the Friends of Alec Wilder concert series as well as resident pianist for NY chamber rock ensemble, This Ambitious Orchestra. She has appeared at many of New York's classical and rock venues, including Le Poisson Rouge, Galapagos, House of Yes, Merkin Concert Hall, Metropolitan Room and Highline Ballroom.
On saxophone, Maria has performed with the David Shenton Quartet as featured performers at the Natchez Festival of Music in 2006 and 2007. She is also a skilled music preparer, transcribing and notating music for various composers and publishers including Woody Guthrie Publications, The Richmond Organization and SEM Ensemble. Her arrangements for rock orchestra are performed regularly at the Oh! You Pretty Things series at Le Poisson Rouge.
Maria graduated from Indiana University School of Music in 2000, studying saxophone with Steve Stusek, Thomas Walsh and renowned performer Eugene Rousseau; piano with Gerry Lee and composition with Anthony Moore.