Meet your Hosts
The Opera Singer
Born in the USA to Polish parents, Alexandra Nowakowski has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a lyric coloratura soprano. Praised by Opera News for her "impassioned singing," her most recent engagements included contracts with Carnegie Hall Citywide Concerts, the Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, the Sociedad de Conciertos de Alicante, and multiple cover contracts with The Metropolitan Opera in New York. Alexandra has also been engaged by the Verbier Festival, the Washington National Opera, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, Opera de Oviedo, and the Baltic Opera of Gdansk, among others. She has sung for many prominent diplomats and political figures, including the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
An avid supporter of the arts, Alexandra has always felt that opera has lacked a deeper to connection to its public. She believes singing for smaller audiences in a more intimate format is the future of the art form, and so The Opera Kitchen was born.
The Chef
Riccardo Riccio grew up between Brazil and Italy, working as a cook from a young age. This blend of two rich cultural heritages gave him a deep appreciation for art and beauty. He traveled the world learning and working in Michelin-star restaurants, having the opportunity to be part of unique events such as George Clooney's wedding dinner while working under chef Davide Bisetto in Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy.
However, fate dealt him a challenging blow when he was diagnosed with a tumor in his head at the age of 24. This pivotal moment became a turning point in his life, propelling him towards a new artistic path - photography. Despite living with blurry vision caused by a Stargardt diagnosis, Riccardo fearlessly embraced photography as his means of expression, defying his visual limitations.
Now, building upon his illustrious background in Michelin-starred circles, Riccardo invites you to embark on an unforgettable journey where gastronomy meets artistry.
