Ester Gabriella Ventura was born in Catania on February 4, 1990.
She approached classical music by beginning her studies as a lyric soprano under the guidance of tenor Matteo Condorelli, a choir member at the Teatro Massimo in Catania. Soon after, she stepped onto the stage, performing at the noble salons of Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions clubs, interpreting various roles such as Oscar in Un Ballo in Maschera, Zerlina in Don Giovanni, and Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi.
She later continued her studies with soprano Stefania Pistone, whose method helped her acquire the skills necessary to secure first place in the ranking for admission to the Triennium in Lyric Singing at the Bellini Institute of Catania.
During her time at the conservatory, she grew artistically under the mentorship of tenor Filippo Piccolo, who had been a leading figure in operas across Italy and beyond. She performed as a soprano ambassador for the Bellini Institute, accompanied by the Bellini Orchestra, in Catania Cathedral and Ortigia Cathedral, paying tribute to Handel’s famous mass The Messiah.
She then refined her technique with soprano Francesca Scaini, winner of the First Prize Callas, who guided her in exploring different repertoires and mastering vocal techniques and nuances characteristic of various musical eras and composers.
Ester embarked on a tour of Sicilian theaters and noble salons, performing in roles such as Mimì (La Bohème), Countess (Le Nozze di Figaro), Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), and many others, thanks to her warm yet highly flexible vocal range.
On May 1, 2014, she performed on the main stage of Telethon in Piazza Università (Catania), representing Bel Canto culture, paying homage to the renowned composer Vincenzo Bellini by interpreting Norma and I Capuleti e i Montecchi.
On June 21, she sang at the Metropolitan Theater of Catania, chosen as the representative voice of the singing class, accompanied by the renowned pianist Alberto Alibrandi in the roles of Juliette (Roméo et Juliette), Violetta (La Traviata), and Micaëla (Carmen).
On October 22, 2014, she performed in the Sala del Coro di Notte dei Benedettini, honoring the composers Bellini and Perucchini, fellow citizens of Catania.
On November 14, at the F. Borgia Church, she performed Oh! quante volte in the role of Juliette, along with several Bellini chamber arias (Per pietà, bell’idol mio, Vaga luna che inargenti, Malinconia, ninfa gentile, etc.).
Six days later, she performed at Teatro 3 in Catania in a recital of opera and chamber arias from the Italian and German repertoire, including works by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Debussy, Bizet, Bellini, and Puccini.
In April of that year, she won an audition that secured her participation in several opera recitals at Teatro San Giorgio in Taormina.
At the Donnafugata Theater in Ibla Classica, she paid tribute to Rachmaninoff and Schubert, and later in October, she performed as a symbol of lyric opera from the Catania Conservatory at the Expo in Milan, singing Bellini’s most famous arias.
On November 11, during the unveiling of the marble plaque dedicated to Bellini, she performed his most beautiful arias at San Francesco Borgia Church, where the composer had been baptized.
On January 31, she performed at the Catania City Hall, once again honoring “the Swan of Catania”, and on February 19, she sang in Agrigento in a recital of opera arias, accompanied by Maestro Alibrandi.
On February 29, she performed at the inauguration of the new Auditorium of the Vincenzo Bellini Institute in Catania, in a concert dedicated to Bellini’s legacy, with Rai 3 TV crews covering the event.
On March 31, 2016, she graduated in lyric singing from the Vincenzo Bellini Institute in Catania with top honors (110 cum laude).
During the 2015/16 summer season, she performed in various recitals at Teatro San Giorgio in Taormina.
On September 30, she sang on the stunning terrace of Noto Cathedral, accompanied by the Bellini Institute Youth Orchestra, in the presence of the Prince of Monaco.
