Giuliana Distefano was born in Catania and began her opera singing studies with soprano Alessandra Mantovani at the “A. Corelli” Conservatory in Messina, where she graduated with top marks, honors, and special distinction.
She later attended various courses and masterclasses held by some of the most renowned names in the international opera scene, including the prestigious advanced training course led by soprano Eva Mei under the artistic direction of Maestro Daniel Oren at the Verdi Theatre in Salerno.
From 2015 to 2024, she starred in numerous matinée performances aimed at introducing young audiences to the world of theatre, as part of the “Fiabe in punta di piedi” project at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania. She performed in productions such as Cinderella, Romeo and Juliet, and The Magic of the Musical, featuring music by Bernstein and Webber.
The latter production was included in the prestigious summer series “Bellezza Belcanto Bellini” at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Since 2019, she has been performing regularly from April to October in numerous concerts for the Cultural Association “Italian Opera Taormina” at the Teatro Nazarena in Taormina, receiving enthusiastic acclaim from audiences.
In the summer of 2023, she took part in a Mozart Gala conducted by Maestro Donato Renzetti.
With the opera La Lupa by Marco Tutino, she made her official operatic debut in the role of Gloria, under the baton of Maestro Fabrizio Maria Carminati and stage direction by Maestro Davide Livermore, at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania from March 1 to 9, 2024, with performances recorded by Sky Classica.
In September 2024, she will perform in the Georgian traditional opera Abesalom and Eteri by Zacharian Paliashvili, in its Italian premiere at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania.
On July 14, 2025, she will be introduced as a young emerging talent in an exclusive concert at the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, organized by Salemiproduction. The event will feature Placido Domingo alongside soprano Maria José Siri, conducted by Jordi Bernacer.
In October 2025, she will debut in the role of Norina in Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale at the Teatro Massimo Bellini in Catania.
