Opera on the Prado
Be captivated by the beautiful sounds of opera as NEMPAC takes the performance to new heights. Formerly known as “Opera from the Balcony”, NEMPAC’s pop-up Opera on the Prado will feature Boston-Based Emerging Artists often from the NEMPAC Opera Project in Boston’s most historic and beautiful park in the North End. Located on the freedom trail, next to the Paul Revere Statue and just behind Old North Church, passersby, neighbors, and friends can catch singers performing on Saturday, October 10th and Saturday, October 17th.
Artistic Director, Hannah Shanefield
Date: Sunday, October 17th | Time: 1 PM – 3 PM
Where: The Prado, Paul Revere Mall, Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
No need to register to attend. Just stroll on by The Prado!
Nathan Snyder, tenor
Praised for his “rich and nuanced” sound and “riveting” acting, tenor Nathan Snyder has built a reputation for excellence across genres. His energy and impressive versatility make him an outstanding presence on any stage. This season, Mr. Snyder has brought that energy to the operatic stage, performing Roméo in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliett along with many of opera’s legendary “bad guys,” including Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Il Duca in Rigoletto, and Don José in Carmen.
After premiering the role of Dewey Noyes in Staggerwing with Opera Kansas in 2021, Mr. Snyder has become advocate for contemporary opera and embraces new works alongside traditional repertoire. He continues to seek out contemporary works, including leading roles in Blind Injustice with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Proving Up with Opera Steamboat, and Glory Denied at the United States Air Force Academy.
Mr. Snyder is also known for bringing the same energy and drama to the concert hall and has appeared as the soloist in Carmina Burana, Mozart’s Requiem, Bruckner’s Te Deum, and Haydn’s The Creation. Snyder made his Carnegie Hall Debut singing the Tenor Solo in the World Premier of Mark Hayes’ Psalmos in April. This summer Mr. Snyder joined Boston Summer Opera singing Nemorino in L’elisir d’Amore and Bravo Vail Festival Chorus for their collaboration with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s production of Madama Butterfly in Vail Colorado. Mr. Snyder can also be heard in “An Andrea Bocelli Opera Candlelight Experience” with Lumos Experiences throughout New England.
Jessica Bloch-Moisand, soprano
Jessica Arielle Bloch-Moisand from Boston, MA is a versatile soprano singing opera, art song, musical theater, and more. This past spring, Jessica performed in concert with the Hawaii International Musical Festival, and was the featured soprano in Gena Branscombe Project’s Winds of Change, Songs of Time, reviving and publicly recording several works by The Pen Women. Jessica made her Horizon Ensemble debut, performing Brontzi’s letters in We Will Outlive Them, a project she produced with composer Quinn Gutman and arranged for orchestra by Julian Gau. Previously, she has performed with Opera51: 2nd Lady (Die Zauberflöte), Zerlina (Don Giovanni), and Lola (Cavalleria Rusticana), and she looks forward to performing Konstanze (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) with them this December 2026. Other recent credits include performing with Opera del West, the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Opera Fusion, Hartford Opera Theater, VOICES Boston and more. Other role highlights include Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Suor Genovieffa (Suor Angelica), Noemie (Cendrillon), Princess Gilda (The Three Feathers), and Concepcion/Young Juana (Juana). Jessica was the 2nd place Winner of the 2023 Music International Grand Prix New York semifinals for Adult Popular music, and previously a finalist in competition: Professional Women in Opera with the American Prize, Corsica Lirica Competition, and the Lucine Amara Art Song Competition.
Outside of performing, Jessica was the Interim Artistic Director for MassOpera (2024-2025), and is also a voice educator and theater instructor for students of all ages. Credits include: Founder & Voice Teacher at Bloch Performing Arts, Voice Teacher & Vocal Theater Lab Assistant Director at New England Conservatory’s Prep School, Artistic Director at New England Conservatory’s Summer Vocal Institute.
Maria Rabbia, pianist
Hailed as “anchoring” and “excellent,” Maria Rabbia is an accomplished collaborative pianist and vocal coach celebrated for her versatility, musical sensitivity, and dedication to uplifting underrepresented voices in classical music. A native of Central New York, she earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from Boston University in 2024, where she studied with esteemed pedagogue Shiela Kibbe.
Maria has performed and coached throughout the United States and Europe, with engagements including the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Opera Vermont, Opera Ithaca, Opera Compnay of Middlebury, IC Opera Studio, The Voice Institute of the Finger Lakes, the International Performing Arts Institute in Kiefersfelden, Germany, and the Trentino Music Festival and Opera al Mare in Italy. During her doctoral studies, she collaborated extensively with the Boston University Opera Institute, working on numerous productions as répétiteur, continuo player, and orchestral pianist.
Equally passionate about art song, Maria is committed to the performance and promotion of underrepresented composers and repertoire. She centered each of her five doctoral recitals on lesser-known works, reflecting her dedication to inclusive and thoughtful programming.
An experienced educator, Maria has taught private piano for over a decade and works with students of all ages, from young beginners to adult musicians. She maintains a thriving private studio at the Cambridge Music Consortium, where she teaches piano, collaborates as a Suzuki accompanist, and serves as a vocal coach. She has worked with VOICES Boston for five years, serving as both Collaborative Pianist as well as instructor of ensembles. Her artistry and pedagogy reflects both technical excellence and a deep dedication to inclusive, meaningful musical storytelling.
*In the event of rain, we will move this concert to 50 Tileston St in the North End.
