BETH STEWART
Photo by Stephanie Bassos
Classical Music Publicist & Founder
Verismo Communications
Through Verismo Communications, Beth Stewart amplifies the authentic voices of women, queer folks, and people of color in classical music. Respected for her creativity and candor, Beth draws on her breadth of experience in the industry – as publicist, producer, and performer – which has fueled her deep empathy for those working onstage and behind the scenes.
Beth’s determination to inspire those around her has shaped Verismo as a classical music PR firm that creates space and opportunity in clients’ lives and operates with unswerving integrity. Verismo specializes in helping artists and arts organizations identify their distinctive brand voices, and works to infuse that genuine thread throughout each client’s presence, on- and off-line.
Beth’s work has propelled clients to glossy magazine covers, successful appearances on international networks including CNN, BBC World, SBS, and ABC, and features in top international print publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, The Times, Billboard, Opera News, BBC Music Magazine, and Gramophone. She has played an integral role in major promotional and award campaigns, cultivating rising artists and keeping the spotlight on established talents, with clients such as mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton, bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, conductors Eun Sun Kim and Lidiya Yankovskaya, and Against the Grain Records.
Her clients have won many of classical music’s most prestigious prizes, earning recognition from the Metropolitan Opera, Solti Foundation U.S., Richard Tucker Music Foundation, International Opera Awards, Juno Awards, Latin Grammy Awards, and BBC Music Magazine Awards.
Beth’s multi-pronged education – a BA from Johns Hopkins University in Latin American Studies; BM, MM, and GPD degrees from Peabody Conservatory in Voice Performance; and marketing and global business studies via the Eller MBA Programs at the University of Arizona – prepared her to thrive while juggling the demands of multiple constituents.
In increasing demand as a speaker, Beth has shared her vision for the industry in recent sessions at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Bard College, Carnegie Mellon University, Dallas Opera Hart Institute for Women Conductors, National Association of Teachers of Singing Fall Workshop, Opera America Conference 2019, Opera America Marketing & PR Forum, Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, SphinxConnect, Sphinx LEAD, University of Michigan’s Arts Leadership Forum, Young Concert Artists, and the Women in Classical Music Symposium presented by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Beth lives in Chicago with her husband Louis and their three mischievous cats who – he assures her – will one day be best friends.