School of Music

B.M.E., M.M., Illinois State University

Robert R. Mangialardi is currently Visiting Professor of music and Director of the Opera Theatre program at Illinois Wesleyan University. Mr. Mangialardi recent opera theater productions have included “Don Giovanni”, “Ballymore”, “The Elixir of Love”, “and “The Medium”. Prior to beginning his career at Illinois Wesleyan University, Mr. Mangialardi directed and taught voice for 14 years at Millikin University in Decatur, IL.

Mr. Mangialardi has performed throughout the Midwest with companies such as the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Illinois Opera Theater, Sunshine Theater, Fireside Theater, Illinois Voices Theater and The Barn Theater.  Robert has also done many television commercials for companies such as Amtrak and Black’s Hardware Company.

Mr. Mangialardi is the founder and executive director of Prairie Fire Theatre, a professional light opera company based in Bloomington-Normal. Each year, Prairie Fire Theatre produces one touring children’s opera, an operetta and two musicals. Productions are cast primarily with area professionals and University students. The 2009 production of “Pinocchio” toured 28 schools and performed for over 7000 elementary students and teachers. Prairie Fire Theatre specializes in the works of Gilbert and Sullivan and usually produces one G&S operetta a year. 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 degree and Master of Music in vocal performance from Illinois State University and has done doctoral work at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. His wife, Melinda, was an administrator at Illinois State University for over 28 years. They have three children, Nicholas, Samuel and Gabriella.