He was given a scholarship to the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia where he studied from 1993 to 1996 and began singing in student opera productions . He sang roles in operas by Rossini , Bellini and Donizetti . He received a scholarship to the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia where he studied from 1993 to 1996 and began singing in student opera productions in the repertory that is still his specialty today , Rossini and the bel canto operas of Bellini and Donizetti .