Robert Mangialardi

Robert R. Mangialardi is currently an Emeritus Assistant Professor of Voice and former Director of the Opera Theatre program at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois. Prior to beginning his career at Illinois Wesleyan University, Mr. Mangialardi directed and taught voice for 14 years at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois.

Mr. Mangialardi has performed throughout the Midwest with companies such as the Illinois Shakespeare Festival at Illinois State University, the Illinois Opera Theater at the University of Illinois, Sunshine Dinner Playhouse, Champaign, Illinois, Illinois Voices Theatre, Bloomington-Normal, and the Barn Theatre. Robert has also done many television commercials for companies such as Amtrak and Black’s Hardware Company. He last performed with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra (ISO), at their 2021 gala event, and in 2015, with Music Director Alastair Willis he performed H.K Gruber’s masterpiece, “Frankenstein”. 

Mr. Mangialardi is the founder and executive director of Prairie Fire Theatre, a professional light opera and music theater company based in Bloomington-Normal. Each year, Prairie Fire Theatre produces one touring children’s opera, and several opera and musical theater productions. The 2024 production of “Treble Trouble” toured 48 schools and performed for over 9,000 elementary students and teachers. Many of Prairie Fire Theatre’s productions are performed on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mr. Mangialardi received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees in vocal performance from Illinois State University and has conducted doctoral work at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.