Ramon Vargas - II Festival Under the Stars

Ramón Tebar piano Wang Opera Center Saturday, March 19th, 2022, 7:30 pm

Sondra Quinn Executive Director

Ramón Tebar Artistic Director

Since 2006, Opera Naples brings internationally acclaimed artists to perform in some of the most beloved operas and world-class performances, earning significant praise from both critics and patrons. Just two years after its inception, Opera Naples was named Best Performing Arts Group by Gulfshore Life magazine!

A community-based, nonprofit arts organization rooted in volunteerism, education and audience engagement, Opera Naples conducts an educational outreach program in local schools and an artist-in-residence program for emerging opera singers and the Opera Naples Academy, a 10-day intensive for exceptional professional opera singers to train with such opera luminaries as Sherrill Milnes, Veronica Villaroel, Manny Perez, and Maestro Ramón Tebar. Opera Naples produces a full season of opera and concerts in its permanent home, the Wang Opera Center, and main stage operas in Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples.

Mission Statement: To be a professional opera company known for excellence and innovation by presenting quality opera, musical performances, education, and community engagement programs.

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PASIÓN LATINA

from Tosca (Illica/Giacosa, 1900) Giacomo Puccini “Recondita armonia” (1858-1924) (“Mysterious harmony” -Cavaradossi’s Aria from Act I)

‘from L’arlesiana (Marenco, 1897) Francesco “E la solita storia del pastore” (Lamento di Federico) (1866-1950) (It’s the usual tale of the shepherd” – Federico’s Lament/Aria from Act II) La mattinata (1904)

Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919)

Ideale (Errico, 1882)

Francesco Paolo Tosti (1846-1916) Eduardo Di Capua (1865-1917)

“I’ te vurria vassà” (Russo, 1900) “Parlami d’amore Mariù” (1932)

Cesare Andrea Bixio & Ennio Neri (1896-1978 & 1891-1985)

Salvatore Cardillo (1874-1947)

“Core n’grato” (Cordiferro, 1901)

Intermission

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PASIÓN LATINA C O N T I N U E D

“Amor de mis amores” “Solamente una vez” “Oracion Caribe”

Agustin Lara (1897-1970)

“Bella enamorada” (1928)

Reveriano Soutullo & Juan Vert (1880 – 1932 & 1890 – 1931)

“Júrame” “Muñequita linda” “No puede ser”

!

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María Grever (1885-1951) Pablo Sorozábal (1897-1988)

Please be sure that your cell phones and electronic devices have been silenced. The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

R AMÓN VARGAS T E N O R

One of the most sought-after, leading tenors of our time, Ramón Vargas now regularly performs to great acclaim at all the major opera houses worldwide: Teatro Colón de Buenos Aires (La Favorita, The Tales of Hoffmann), Royal Opera House (Un Ballo in Maschera, La Bohème, Rigoletto, La traviata), Teatro alla Scala (Falstaff, Rigoletto, La Traviata), Metropolitan Opera New York, performing 19 different roles and over 220 performances (Attila, La bohème, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Cenerentola, L’elisir d’amore, Lucia di Lammermoor, Rigoletto, Der Rosenkavalier), Teatro Real (Werther, Un Ballo in Maschera), Opéra National de Paris (Rigoletto, La Traviata, Lucia Miller, Idomeneo and Titus), San Francisco Opera (Un Ballo in Maschera, L’elisir d’amore, Lucia di Lammermoor), Wiener Staatsoper (La bohème, L’elisir d’amore, Lucia di Lammermoor, Maria Stuarda, Roberto Devereux, Don Carlos, Un Ballo in Maschera, Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Arena di Verona (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Rigoletto), and many others.

In addition to his operatic career, he is also an accomplished concert singer. In 1998, he gave a memorable recital at La Scala and his renditions of popular Mexican songs have been met with

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enthusiasm at massive concerts across Europe and Mexico.

Throughout his career he has been awarded some of the most important prizes such as the Lauri Volpi Award for the Best Opera Singer (1993), Gino Tani Award for the Arts (1995), Opera Now Artist of the Year (2000), Festspiele magazine Best tenor in the world (1999), ECHO Klassik - Singer of the Year Award (2001), Puccini Award by the Puccini Foundation (2005), Rodolfo Celletti Award (2017), Opera News Award in New York (2018).

Ramón Vargas’ multi-awarded discography Il Barbiere di Siviglia, La Scala di Seta, Tancredi, Maometto II, Il Turco in Italia, La Favorite, Zaira, I Capuleti e i Montecchi, Werther, Goyescas, Falstaff, Alzira, I Masnadieri (Opéra de Monte- Carlo), Don Giovanni (Grand-Théâtre de Genève), Un Ballo in Maschera (Hamburgische Staatsoper, Grand-Théâtre de Genève and Teatro Real in Madrid). Among his recent and future engagements we highlight Roberto Devereux (LA Opera), Un Ballo in Maschera (Teatro Real, Teatro de la Maestranza in Seville and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria), Les contes d’Hoffmann (Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires), Un ballo in maschera (Grand-Théâtre de Genève, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Wiener Staatsoper), Don Carlo (Los Angeles), I masnadieri (Opéra Monte-Carlo); La Bohéme (Staatsoper Berlin), Don Giovanni (Grand-Théâtre de Genève), La clemenza di Tito (Opéra de Paris), Jerusalem (Teatro Regio di Parma), Don Carlo (Wiener Staatsoper), Simon Boccanegra (Opéra de Paris and Opéra Monte-Carlo), Tosca (Greek National Opera), La Gioconda (Théâtre du Capitole de Toulouse), Luisa Miller and Simon Boccanegra (Hamburgische Staatsoper), I lombardi alla prima crociata (Opéra Royal de Wallonie), Tosca (Teatro Cervantes in Malaga and Naples) and Das Lied von der Erde (Alicante).

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RAMÓN TEBAR P I A N I S T

Artistic Director Ramon Tebar is considered one of the leading Spanish conductors of his generation. Recently appointed new Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Valencia Symphony Orchestra in Spain for a first period of four years, he holds other notable positions in both America and Europe.

Acclaimed for his musical versatility, compelling interpretations and orchestra building skills, conductor Ramón Tebar’s international reputation in both the opera and orchestral arenas continues to expand.

Ramón Tebar has been recognized with various honors and awards, including the Henry C. Clark Conductor of the Year Award

by Florida Grand Opera in 2010 and 2013, The Miami Herald as “Top 20 under 40” and “100 españoles by Marca España”. In 2014, he was bestowed the Cross of Officer of the Order of Mérito Civil in recognition of his cultural accomplishments by His Majesty, the King of Spain Felipe VI. Tebar has recorded for UNIVERSAL MUSIC, UNITEL CLASSICA and DECCA.

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TRANSLATIONS “Recondita armonia” from Tosca What strange and lovely harmony of such different beauties!

How dark is Floria, this ardent love of mine And you, mysterious beauty, long blonde and flowing tresses How your eyes are sky blue, Tosca’s eyes are night-black Art, too, with its many mysteries blends all together such different beauties But though I paint another, my only thought is you Oh, my only thought is you, Tosca, is you, is you!.

“È la solita storia del pastore” from L’arlesiana The poor boy wanted to tell it, but it fell asleep.

There is oblivion in sleep, how I envy him!

I too would like to sleep like this - within sleep to find oblivion!

I only want to find peace: If only I could forget everything.

But all struggles are in vain. I still see before me her sweet visage ...

But all struggles are in vain. Why must I suffer so much pain?

She! How she always spoke to my heart!

Fatal vision, leave me You hurt me so much! Oh, poor me!

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La mattinata The dawn, wearing a white dress, is already allowing the sun to cross the threshold.

It’s already caressing with her pink fingers, the crowd of flowers!

The Creation all around seems moved by an arcane shiver, and you are not getting up, and I’m singing painfully in vain.

Put your white gown on and let your cantor cross the threshold!

Light lacks where you are missing, and love is born where you are.

Ideale I followed thee when like a rainbow seeming thy light the heavens unclouded.

I followed thee a rainbow torchlight gleaming when night’s veil all enshrouded.

And thee I found in the sunlight, existence, in the perfume of flowers.

And my home once so lovely in the distance, seemed changed to fairy bowers.

By thee entranced, thy voice so sweet ascended while of hours I dreamed.

And every torment, every sorrow, in life ended as if love’s day had beamed.

Come back, my sweet Ideal.

Come for one moment to smile like love’s morning, and to me love’s sun will shine, by thee reflected.

My life with love adorning, my life with love’s light adorning.

Come back, my sweet Ideal! Return, return!

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“I’ te vurria vassà” Ah! What fragrant, morning air, scented with hollyhocks!

And you lie sleeping on a bed of rose petals.

The sun is little by little rising above this garden, The wind brushes and kisses a little strand of hair on your forehead.

I long to kiss you, I long to kiss you, But my heart does not rule me To wake you, to wake you.

I long to sleep, close to your breath.

Beside you for just an hour, for just an hour.

You sleep, oh my Rose, and sleep deeply, While I gaze, enchanted, upon your coral lips.

Your glowing body, and your black curls Spark a thousand illicit thoughts in my heart.

I long to kiss you, I long to kiss you, But my heart does not rule me To wake you, to wake you.

I long to sleep, close to your breath.

Beside you for just an hour, for just an hour.

I feel your heart beating like waves at sea.

You are sleeping, my angel, but who knows of what you dream.

Envy taunts my wounded heart.

Do you dream of me? Tell me!

Or perhaps you dream of another?

I long to kiss you, I long to kiss you, But my heart does not rule me To wake you, to wake you.

“Parlami d’amore Mariù” How beautiful you are, more beautiful tonight, Mariù!

A smile from the stars shines in your blue eyes.

Even if tomorrow fate will be adverse, now I am close to you—so why sigh?

Do not think.

Speak to me of love, Mariù!

You are everything in my life.

Your beautiful eyes shine.

Flames of dreams flicker.

Tell me that this is not an illusion.

Tell me that you are everything to me.

Here in your heart, I no longer suffer.

Speak to me of love, Mariù!

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I know you are a beautiful and seductive siren.

I know that those who look into your blue eyes are lost.

But what does it matter if the world mocks me?

Better in the deepest chasm if not forever with you.

Yes, with you.

Speak to me of love, Mariù!

You are everything in my life.

Your beautiful eyes shine.

Flames of dreams flicker.

Tell me that this is not an illusion.

Tell me that you are everything to me.

Here in your heart, I no longer suffer.

Speak to me of love, Mariù!

“Core n’grato” Ungrateful heart, Catarina, Catarina, why do say such bitter words; Why do you speak and torment my heart, Catarina?

Do not forget I gave you my heart, Catarina do not forget!

Catarina, Catarina, what meaning do your words hold, Words that leave me shuddering?

You do not think of the pain I feel, you do not think, you do not care.

Ungrateful, ungrateful heart!

You have taken my life, all has passed and I am in your thoughts no more!

Catarina, Catarina You do not know that I even went into a church and prayed to God, Catarina, I confessed to a priest that I was suffering for you!

I was suffering, I was suffering, suffering beyond words I was suffering every punishment and pain And the priest, a saintly man, turned to me and said: my son, let her go, let her go!

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“Amor de mis amores” Putting my hand over my heart I wanted to tell you to the beat of a song That you are my life and want nobody else but you...

Putting my hand over my heart I wanted to tell you to the beat of a song That you are my heaven, the birds that defy its power...

That I breathe the same air, that I breathe the same air That I breathe the same air, that are breathing YOU...

Putting my hand over my heart I would want to sing a whole song.

That you are my heaven, you are my comfort...

That I breathe the same air, that I breathe the same air That I breathe the same air, that are breathing YOU...

Love of my heart, blood of my soul, gift me the flowers Of hope that let me stop, to tell you that you are the Love of my heart, you are my heaven

“Solamente una vez” Only once in my life I have loved truly, only once in my life, never again.

Only once in my life in my garden brightly shined the hope, the hope that enlightened the path of my solitude.

Once and never again the soul surrenders to the sweet and complete renunciation.

And when this miracle carries out the prodigy of loving, there are joyful bells that sing deep in the heart.

“Oracion Caribe” Caribe prayer, song of the blacks that knows how to beg Caribe praye, prayer of the sea mercy, mercy for the one who suffers

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mercy, mercy for the one who cries a little of heat for our lives and a little of light in our dawn Prayer, Caribe prayer, prayer, Caribe prayer, prayer, prayer …

“Bella enamoradae” Beautiful lover, I dream of your image, and seek a happy love.

Beautiful lover who is my consolation, without your love, without your love, I cannot live.

Night of love, mysterious night, approach me, shadow-woman; soft pleasure to see what we dream, I want to live, by seeing her again.

Lost hope, I want to recall a distant love that will never return.

Mysterious lady dwelling in the shadows, tell me who you are and learn of my love.

Most beautiful of beauties, lovely lover, you are my torment, you are my torment, I am your slave.

“Júrame” Everybody says it’s a lie that I love you, because nobody has ever seen me in love.

I swear to you that even I don’t understand why your glance fascinates me that much.

You’re happy when I’m with you.

I wouldn’t want you to remember anyone else.

I’m jealous even of the thought that I could remind you of another man.

Promise me that even after many years pass by

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you will never forget the moment when I met you for the first time.

Look at me, for there is nothing in this world more intense, more important than the love I gave you.

Kiss me, kiss me with great passion, like no one has ever kissed me since the day I was born.

Love me, love me up to insanity and this way you’ll learn the sadness with which I suffer for you.

Everybody says it’s a lie that I love you...

I don’t want you to remember anyone else.

I’m jealous even of the thought that I could remind you of another man.

Look at me,for there is nothing in this world more intense, more important than the love I gave you.

“Muñequita linda” Yes, I love you very much, very, very, very much as much as then always until death Beautiful little doll with hair made of gold teeth made of pearl, lips of ruby Tell me if you love me the same as I adore you if you remember me like I remember you Sometimes I listen a divine echo that wrapped in the breeze it seems saying Yes, I love you very much, very, very, very much,always until death.

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“No puede ser” It cannot be so! This woman is good.

She cannot be a wicked woman!

In her look, like a strange light, I’ve seen that this woman is unhappy.

She cannot be a cheap siren who poisoned every moment of my life.

It cannot be so! Because I’ve seen her pray, because I’ve seen her love, because I’ve seen her cry!

Those eyes that cry don’t know how to lie.

Bad women do not look like that.

Gleaming in her eyes I saw two tears, and my hope is they may gleam for me, they may gleam for me.

Vivid light of my hopes Be merciful with my love Because I cannot pretend, because I cannot be silent, because I cannot live!.

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PRODUCTION STAFF

Tony Johnson Director of Production Justin Keenan Miller Lighting & video Designer Special Thanks: YB Production

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sondra Quinn Executive Director Ramon Tebar Artistic Director Gerald Goldberg Chairman Emeritus Larry Ost Chairman Emeritus John Pepe Vice Chairman/Treasurer Linda Kehoe Secretary Jan Burrus Sally Gleason Wendy Needham Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki DMA Moira Fennessey Livio Ferrari Patrick Moran Brian R. Dorn Ph.D. Carl Sceusa Susan Mullin Scott

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OPERA NAPLES STAFF

Leah Summers Artistic Coordinator Robin Shuford Frank Director of Education and Community Outreach Carla Calavitta Director of Development Kent Kyle Development Associate Rita Albaugh Box Office Manager

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Nicky & John Pepe Louise & Larry Ost Lois & Bruce Selfon Susan Mullin Wendy Needham FineMark PNC Private Bank Winfield Coffee

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