FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 7:00PM
FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
MAYA LAHYANI | MATTHEW WHITE | JEANETTE VECCHIONE-DONATTI | ETHAN VINCENT
A SPANISH LYRIC-DRAMATIC GENRE THAT ALTERNATES BETWEEN SPOKEN AND SUNG SCENES, OPERATIC SONGS, AS WELL AS DANCE
ROBERT XAVIER RODRIGUEZFESTIVAL
TUESDAY APRIL 4 & WEDNESDAY APRIL 5, 2023 7:00PM
A REVERED OPERA CELEBRATING THE LIFE, TALENTS, AND LEGACY OF FRIDA KAHLO
CATALINA CUERVO | RICARDO HERRERA
23 SEASON
2022-23 SEASON
OUR MISSION
To sustain a permanent local opera company that enriches the Southwest Florida community by presenting outstanding opera performances featuring internationally renowned soloists and by conducting innovative educational programs that nurture the region’s promising young talent.
OBJECTIVES
• To produce at least three productions per season in a variety of styles, including traditional grand opera, American opera, operetta, and contemporary works.
Larry Ost Chairman of the BoardA message from our new Executive Director, Laura Burns
• To create first-class opera theater by placing equal emphasis on theatrical elements and musical values.
• To be an integral part of the local and regional community, actively contributing to the area’s cultural landscape.
• To maintain a Resident Artists Program, promoting an artistically challenging environment for promising young people entering the world of music, song, and theater for the first time, as well as those with more advanced skills.
Hurricane Ian left a devastating blow to our Southwest Florida Community. While we have already seen the resiliency and determination of many join together to help rebuild our area, we know the journey will be a winding road.
The Wang Opera Center sustained significant damage from the storm. We experienced between two to three feet of storm surge in the building, destroying performance, rehearsal and administrative spaces. While our team worked swiftly to minimize the impact, we will need to make significant repairs to our center before we can return to our home stage.
Now, more than ever, we need your support to ensure we can continue to provide vital access to the arts. Please consider a contribution today to the Opera Naples Rebuilding Fund to help us rebuild, recover and fulfil our mission for years to come.
• To reach out to and build new audiences through in-school programs, lectures, demonstrations, and classes, and by offering attractively priced tickets for students and teachers.
As the new leader of Opera Naples, I am committed to ensuring Opera Naples, and our exceptional programming, continues to be the jewel of arts and culture in Southwest Florida.
FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
Welcome!
As we embark on our Third Annual Festival Under the Stars, we are filled with gratitude for how fortunate we are to be a part of building up Southwest Florida as a cultural destination. Our Artistic and Music Director, Ramón Tebar, a world-recognized conductor, has made it possible for our community to see and hear celebrated artists from around the world.
Our Executive Director Laura Burns, the staff, artists and the dedicated team of creatives have worked collaboratively over the last several months to create something special for our community while also working tirelessly to rebuild the Wang Opera Center following last fall’s hurricane.
Opera Naples has not only made tremendous contributions to enhancing the arts for our community but also creating greater access to the arts through education and outreach programs available to young people. It’s exciting to see this next generation embrace opera.
Whether you are here for the first time or are a seasoned veteran, please accept our sincere appreciation for your support of the arts. Together, we can create ripple effects throughout our community that will be felt for generations to come.
Sincerely,
• To nurture the development of emerging opera singers from around the world through the Opera Naples Academy, by providing the opportunity to study with legendary opera professionals, and facilitating unique performance experiences here in Naples, Florida.
Larry Ost Opera Naples Chairman of the Board
We’re in this together.
Laura Burns OperaNaplesExecutiveDirectorThank you! Your gift will provide critical funding for our artistic and education programs as well as hurricane restoration efforts.
FRIENDS, PATRONS AND ARTISTS, Welcome to the Third Annual Festival Under the Stars!
I am truly grateful to have you join us for this annual tradition that brings the world’s top opera stars and the most popular operas to Southwest Florida. People come from all over to enjoy Naples’ beautiful weather, stunning sunsets and relaxed lifestyle. We’re simply fusing the best our region has to offer with an operatic experience at one of Naples’ treasures, Cambier Park. Thank you to the City of Naples for allowing us to perform in this wonderful space.
Whether you’re a seasoned opera patron or interested in discovering a new cultural arts experience outdoors, tonight’s Festival Under the Stars is sure to exceed your expectations.
With beautiful staging and scenic design, along with an extraordinary lineup of performances featuring renowned guest artists, the Festival Under the Stars will take you to another time, another place with pure imagination and inspiration.
We thank you for your support, which not only provides funding for our award-winning performances and educational programs, but also the Opera Naples Rebuilding Fund as we work to rebuild the Wang Opera Center in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Despite the destruction of our performance space, we are resilient and are returning stronger than ever because of the ongoing support of this community – because of you, we are moving forward to rebuild and fulfill our mission for years to come.
Thank you for being here tonight and helping ensure we can continue to make Naples the jewel of arts and culture in Southwest Florida.
Cheers!
DEAR FRIENDS OF OPERA NAPLES,
I am thrilled to introduce our 2023 Festival Under the Stars featuring outstanding performances filled with renowned worldly talent and captivating melodies. Our return to Cambier Park marks a tradition that welcomes all audiences into an inclusive environment that showcases iconic arias and mesmerizing performances featuring world renown artists and beautiful staging under Southwest Florida’s majestic skies.
DirectorThis year’s Festival features an extended series of performances, including Opera Stars Concerts featuring Jennifer Rowley and Jonathan Tetelman, collaborations with Grand Piano Series, and the Southwest Florida Symphony, and a free Family Community Day. As part of ¡ARTE VIVA!, Collier County’s Hispanic arts festival, the Festival Under the Stars will include popular productions of Carmen, “Zarzuela/Flamenco” and Frida. Whether you’re here for one night or a select few, we hope you are inspired by these compelling and dramatic interpretations underscored by our wonderfully talented Naples Festival Orchestra.
We are inspired by the creative spirit of this community and thank you for trusting in us and believing in our mission to expand access to the arts through opera productions and concerts presented at the highest quality. We are grateful for your investment in the arts that allows us to create a world in which music fosters connection, comraderies, and friendships.
Musically Yours,
Ramón Tebar
Opera Naples Artistic & Music Director, Naples Cultural Ambassador
Laura Burns Opera Naples Executive Director
FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL
THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!
Nicky & John Pepe
Community Partners
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
TUESDAY MARCH 21, 2023 7:00PM
SOPRANO JENNIFER ROWLEY TAKES THE STAGE FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE OPERA CONCERT!
PERFORMANCE TICKETS START AT $28
SCAN QR CODE FOR FESTIVAL TICKETS
2022-23 SEASON
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
A CHARITY CONCERT TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S HEALTH
FESTIVAL 2022-23 SEASON
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
STAR TENOR JONATHAN TETELMAN MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
A CHARITY CONCERT TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S HEALTH
SCAN QR CODE FOR FESTIVAL TICKETS
SCAN QR CODE FOR FESTIVAL TICKETS
FESTIVAL 2022-23 SEASON
WEDNESDAY MARCH 22, 2023 VIP RECEPTION 6:30PM | CONCERT 7: PM A CHARITY CONCERT TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S HEALTH
SCAN QR CODE FOR FESTIVAL TICKETS
FESTIVAL 2022-23 SEASON
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
GEORGES BIZET
TUESDAY MARCH 28 & THURSDAY MARCH 30, 2023 7:00PM
A PASSIONATE ONE-SIDED LOVE STORY OF THE GYPSY GIRL CARMEN, A LOVE-STRUCK SOLDIER AND A HANDSOME BULL FIGHTER
MAYA LAHYANI | MATTHEW WHITE | JEANETTE VECCHIONE-DONATTI | ETHAN VINCENT
PERFORMANCE TICKETS START AT $28
FESTIVAL 2022-23 SEASON
FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
WEDNESDAY MARCH 29, 2023 7:00PM
A SPANISH LYRIC-DRAMATIC GENRE THAT ALTERNATES BETWEEN SPOKEN AND SUNG SCENES, OPERATIC SONGS, AS WELL AS DANCE
MARIA ANTÚNEZ | MARTIN NUSSPAUMER
PERFORMANCE TICKETS START AT $23
2022-23 SEASON
SUNDAY APRIL 2, 2023 7:00PM
CLASSICAL PERFORMANCES AND VARIOUS POPULAR ARIA FEATURING THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHON ORCHESTRA AND OPERA NAPLES RESIDENT ARTISTS
SARA LEMESH | GRACE SKINNER | STEVEN RICKS | JEFFREY GOLDBERG
PERFORMANCE TICKETS START AT $23
2022-23 SEASON
FESTIVAL
WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MOST POPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAESTRO RAMÓN TEBAR
MARCH 21 – APRIL 5, 2023 | CAMBIER PARK
LIFETIME DONORS
LIFETIME DONORS ($1,000,000 +)
Louise & Lawrence Ost
Cecile & David Wang
LIFETIME DONORS ($500,000 +)
Jan Burrus
Sandi and Thomas Moran
Wendy Needham
Nicoletta and John Pepe
State of Florida
LIFETIME DONORS ($100,000+)
Anonymous
Erika and Peter Aron
Clement J. Deliso Sr
Moira Fennessey
Boruch and Olga B. Frusztajer
Sally and Thomas Gleason
Bronwen Adams and Gerald Goldberg
ROBERT XAVIER RODRIGUEZ
TUESDAY APRIL 4 & WEDNESDAY APRIL 5, 2023 7:00PM
A REVERED OPERA CELEBRATING THE LIFE, TALENTS, AND LEGACY OF FRIDA KAHLO
CATALINA CUERVO | RICARDO HERRERA
PERFORMANCE TICKETS START AT $28
Martha and Frank Ibarra
J. Aron Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Linda and Michael Kehoe
Karin and Michael Standen
Cindy Stegemann
Paula and Roger Weatherburn-Baker
Joanne Wyss
Judy and John Hushon
LIFETIME DONORS ($50,000 – $99,999)
Jeanne Binder
Richard E. Gray
Linda and Thomas Koehn
Moran Wealth Management
Joanne and Richard Liddy
Terry and Patrice Magrath
The Galliford Mulard Foundation
Susan Mullin
Selma Nettles
Maureen and Charley Nevaril
John Lyngaas and Linda Noel
Jay R. Paul Charitable Foundation
Nancy and Doug Plourde
Toshiko and Jay Tompkins
Samuel Vasquez Jr.
Annual giving of all levels is vitally important, as collectively they provide the annual operating funds needed for ongoing operations and to fulfill our mission. Please consider joining today or add your email to stay “in-the-know.”
Call (239) 963-9050, visit operanaples.org, or scan QR code:
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 ANNUAL DONORS
PRODUCER ($25,000+)
J. Aron Charitable Foundation, Inc
Jan Burrus
Sally and Thomas Gleason
Bronwen Adams and Gerald Goldberg
OPERA NAPLES GUILD
The Opera Naples Guild has a first-row seat to the inner workings and artistry of opera. Active members of Opera Naples provide the organization with fundraising, event production, membership, and marketing support. Benefits include invitations to the Eurofest Dinner each summer, holiday party at a private club, Spring luncheon with musical interludes, plus the Toast to Opera programs, informative previews of upcoming performances with lecture and refreshments. Annual dues are just $60 ($120 couple).
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
In addition to attending performances, many opera lovers take a special interest in the evolution and long-term growth of opera itself. To keep this important art form thriving in our community, Opera Naples members make a yearly commitment of support of $150 or higher.
MILLENNIUM CLUB
The Millennium Club, including Patron, Grand Patron and Producer levels, is designed to reward members’ dedication with unique behind-the-scenes experiences and insider benefits. An annual unrestricted donation of $1,500 ($2,500 per couple) or more enrolls you as a Millennium Club Member, and affords you benefits such as:
• Listing in playbills and programs.
• Concierge ticketing
• Priority ticketing (“Pre-public”) and best-seat opportunities
• Invitation to Meet-the-Artist events
As a Millennium Club member, you will have opportunities to learn what it takes to bring performance magic to life, meet acclaimed artists in small group settings, and enjoy the fellowship of meeting like-minded peers. Please consider coming on board this season. Now is a great time to join!
Wendy Needham
Louise and Lawrence Ost
Nicky and John Pepe
GRAND PATRON ($10,000+)
Erika and Peter Aron
Community Foundation of Collier County
Susan Gibbons
Moran Family Foundation
Susan Mullin
Nydia Tranter
PATRON ($5,000+)
Linda Baker
Susan and Arthur Bookbinder
Sheila and Christopher Cole
Moira Fennessey
Finemark National Bank & Trust
The Patricia S. Heyman Foundation, Inc.
Anne and W. Alex Hoffmann
Nancy Kahn
Linda and Michael Kehoe
Stan Kisiel
Bill Lindsay
Melody Sawyer Richardson
Carl Sceusa
Connie Von Zwehl and Stan Kisiel
PATRON ($2,500+)
Kathleen Azzariti
Claire and John Bertucci
Shari and David Boehnen
Gisselle and Jorge Calleja
Dr. and Mrs. Blane Crandall
Mary Gunther
Charles Harriman
Teresa and Jeffrey Heitmann
Ann Host
Joanne and Richard Liddy
Sue Like
Jan Madigan
Lisa and Brad Nelson
Jeree and John Robertson
Bonnie Slobodien
Gail and Russell Smith II
Nan and George Van Setter
MILLENNIUM CLUB
($1,500+)
Elizabeth and James Barton
Emogene Bedrosian
Roberta Beranek
Arthur and Susan Bookbinder
Frank Caccamise and June Reeves
Carolyn and Richard Chormann
Joyce and Patrick Coughlan
John Czarnetzky
Rinaldo D’Argenio
Charlie and Hilda Emerson
Betty Fagan
Mr. Michael Goldman
Rufino Hernandez
Joanne Jacobs
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kupperman
Patrick Moran
Thelma and Bud Negley
Maureen and Charley Nevaril
John Lyngaas and Linda Noel
Christine and Tom Rogan
Robert Schultheis
Suzanne and Eric Spitzer
Frances Stillman
Bonnie and Bill Stoloski
Richard Tooke and Charles Marshall
Paula and Roger Weatherburn-Baker
DONOR (500+)
Nancy and Richard Blackburn
Suzan Bly
Pamela Brown
Linda and Harold Butler
Frank Caccamise
Ginny and Paul Chapin
Greta Chisholm
Mike Corkery
Carol Covello
Nancy Curtis
Ajit Desai
Richard Diedrich
Shannon and Steven Diener
Richard Dobson
Dina Elliot
Betty Fagan
Suzette Fernandes
Livio Ferrari
Ed Fiorentino
Anne Russell and Torrey Foster
Nicole Galliford
Patrick McGirl and Tania Gatt
Susan Gehrke-Lo Piano
George E. Gould
Diana and Stephen Gray
Catherine Hackney
Blanche Hawkins
Judy and John Hushon
Terry and Ted Ingrassia
Judythe and Marty Isserlis
Carla and Roger Kirkpatrick
James Lafond
Susan and Eric Latos
Edward Lyons
Michael McCully
Brenda McNamara
Jaqueline and William Mears
Elizabeth Migliara
Dottie and David Mink
John Brian Molloy
Richard Mounce
Norris Center City of Naples
Ellen Nicklaus
Rose and Richard Novak
Marlyse Planer
Jennifer Richardson
Naida and Michael Rodman
Karen and Sam Smith
Patricia Stratton
Valaipetch Aivey Street
Mr. and Mrs. Don Strumillo
Nancy White
Carol Whittemore
Ellen Williams
Bank of America Employee Giving
MEMBER (150+)
Meeyung Ainsworth
Dianne Ambrose
Arabella Bas-Kingsley
Suzanne Beck
Valerie A. Becker
Jane Berger
D. Lacquaniti Bespoke Inc
Marlys L. Bromberg
Katherine Brownell
Patricia Chibende
Andrew Cline
Suzanne and Norman Cohn
Paula Cooper
Betty and John Henry Davis
Adrienne DeBaz
Marlene Derdzinski
Sharon L. Eiseman
Jeanie Figg
Jane Gaillard
Patricia Garvey
Oliver D. Gildersleeve
Jill Gnesda
John Gray
Dr. and Mrs. David Greene
Kelly Hammons
Bradley L. Heiges
Harriet Heithaus
David Ireland
Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson
Peter Kelly
Lorraine Kostyra
Clare and Theo Loughrey
Paula Luccio
Ruth Manchester
Franklin Mills
William Murphy
Carol Pepe
Mary Pfeil
Martha Purdy
Donna Raab
Susan Range
Jennifer Richardson
Hewit Rome
Roger and Ksenia Saad
Mary Ann Shockley
Catherine and Richard Singleton
Jane Smith
Judith Stephenson
Richard Stien
Linda Stikeleather
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Thiele
Sharon Treiser
Harold Trimmer
Did we make an omission or mistake?
Please let us know so we can correct it in the next Program print run. We strive to thank generous supporters like you correctly. Call (239) 963-9050 or email info@operanaples.org. Thank you.
MARCH 21 - APRIL 5 | 7 PM OPERA IN CAMBIER PARK
FEA TURING THE WORLD’S TOP OPERA STARS & THE MO ST P OPULAR OPERAS CONDUCTED BY MAES TRO RAM ÓN T EBAR
OPERA STARS CONCERT: JENNIFER ROWLEY
MARCH 21
CARMEN
MARCH 28 & 30
ZARZUELA / FLAMENCO
MARCH 29
FRIDA
APRIL 4 & 5
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES AN EVENING OF HOPE: JONATHAN TETELMAN
COLUMBUS CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION
MARCH 22
GRAND PIANO SERIES: DOMINIC CHELI
MOORINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
MARCH 25
A NIGHT AT THE OPERA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY
APRIL 2
PERFORMANCES AT CAMBIER PARK STAGED WITHIN SOFTBALL FIELD
Laura Burns, Executive Director
BOARD
Larry Ost, Chairman of the Board, Trustee
Wendy Needham, Treasurer, Trustee
Linda Kehoe, Secretary
Bronwen Adams
Jan Burrus, Trustee
Dr. Krzysztof Biernacki
Breno Donatti
Brian Dorn
Moira Fennessey
Livio Ferrari
Sally Gleason, Trustee
Jerry Goldberg, Chairman Emeritus
Patrick Moran
Susan Mullin
John Pepe, Trustee
Carl Sceusa STAFF
Ramón Tebar, Artistic Director and Conductor
Laura Burns, Executive Director
Rita Albaugh, Box Office Manager
Tricia Barrett, Finance and Operations Director
Robin Shuford Frank, Music Administration, Chorus Master, Director of Education and Community Outreach
Kent Kyle, Development Director
Leah Summers, Artistic Coordinator
2022-2023 RESIDENT ARTISTS PROGRAM
LOCATION
Naples, FL USA
PROGRAM DATES
November 27 – December 6, 2022 for Roméo et Juliette
February 1 – April 5, 2023 for the Residency
The Resident Artists Program offers emerging young artists invaluable performance experience as they develop their professional opera careers. Selected through a highly competitive national search, four singers reside in Naples during the peak season and are given training and performance opportunities including principal and secondary roles in productions at Artis Naples, The Wang Opera Center and at The Festival Under the Stars. Additionally, the singers perform a children’s opera for an in-school tour and present standard operatic repertoire in numerous community outreach performances. Opera Naples staff, supplemented by area professional artists, provide coaching, instruction, and career advice.
Now in its ninth year, the Resident Artists Program is a vital part of Opera Naples educational programs. Former participants of the program have gone on to perform with prestigious opera companies including the Metropolitan Opera while others have continued their training at renowned institutions including The Julliard School and Curtis Institute of Music.
WHAT PRODUCTIONS WILL INVOLVE RESIDENT ARTISTS?
Three of the performers came in November to perform in the December production of Roméo et Juliette by Charles Gounod at Artis—Naples, featuring the Naples Philharmonic conducted by Artistic & Music Director Ramón Tebar. The five-act opera is set to a French libretto by Jules Barbier and Michel Carré, famed for a series of four romantic duets, the fiery waltz song, Je veux vivre, and luminous, lyrical music that perfectly portrays the desire and liveliness of the tale through its beautiful melodies.
The Resident Artists also preformed lead roles in W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s wildly popular operetta H.M.S. Pinafore, as well as will perform supporting roles in the productions Carmen and Frida during the multi-day outdoor Festival Under the Stars from March 21 until April 5 in Cambier Park. Also in Cambier Park, they will be featured soloists in “A Night at the Opera” with the Southwest Florida Symphony. A vital part of Opera Naples educational outreach, Resident Artists will give multiple performances of the children’s opera The Ugly Duckling during the in-school tour which introduces opera to more than 3,000 elementary school children each year!
HOUSING AND TRAVEL
A weekly stipend, a travel stipend and housing is provided over the course of the residency.
FEATURING THE 2022-23 OPERA NAPLES RESIDENT ARTISTS
GRACE SKINNER
Washingtonian mezzo-soprano Grace Skinner is the recent recipient of 1st place prize in the Seattle Opera Guild Singers’ Development Competition. She recently made her role debut performing The Composer with Vashon Opera and has worked with The Atlanta Opera covering the role of Giulio Cesare, and Utah Festival Opera covering the role of Carmen. Ms. Skinner was a vocal fellow at prestigious young artist programs Music Academy of the West, and Aspen Music Festival. Ms. Skinner earned her MM from the Jacobs School of Music at IU where she was also an Associate Instructor of Voice. She received her BM in voice at Portland State University.
STEVEN RICKS
Steven Ricks is an Arizona native who currently resides in Idaho Falls Idaho. Previously with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Ricks has performed with the Palm Beach Opera, Opera Saratoga and Idaho Falls Opera. He has performed as a young artist with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Palm Beach Opera, Opera Saratoga and Idaho Falls Opera. He received the Encouragement Award from the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
JEFFREY GOLDBERG
Southern California baritone Jeffrey Goldberg has performed such roles as Gugliemo from Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Dr. Falke and Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus, by Johann Strauss, Claudio in Berlioz’s Beatrice et Benedict, Bartolo and Antonio from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Peter in Humperdink’s Hansel and Gretel, and Simone in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. He is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he obtained a Master’s degree in Voice and Opera, and before that, Chapman University where he obtained a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance.
SARA LeMESH
Soprano Sara LeMesh, hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle for her “vocal majesty and expressive translucency,” is a dramatic presence on the opera stage, an avid chamber musician, and an advocate of contemporary music. During the summer of 2022, she was a fellow at the Marlboro Music Festival. Most recently, she covered and performed the role of Young Leah/Lisa in the New York Premiere of Lori Laitman’s Uncovered with City Lyric Opera. LeMesh earned aBachelor of Music from Rice University and a Master of Music from the Bard College-Conservatory of Music.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Laura Burns, Executive DirectorEDUCATION PROGRAMS
ELEMENTARY IN-SCHOOL TOUR
Resident Artists tour a one-act children’s opera to Collier and Lee County schools and afterschool programs to expose grade school children to opera. The presentation includes an introduction about opera and etiquette, the performance, and a question-and-answer session between the students and performers. Previous in-school operas, specifically designed for elementary school students, have included Stop, Bully, The Billy Goat’s Gruff, The Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hansel and Gretel. Each school year, Opera Naples exposes more than 3,000 children to opera!
YOUTH PROGRAMS
STUDENT APPRENTICE PROGRAM
This year-round program gives local students, ages 7-21 training and public performance opportunities including singing solo roles in main stage productions when applicable, singing in the Opera Naples Adult Chorus or Opera Naples Youth Chorus, and performing in “Scenes for Teens” programs and community concerts. Youth also perform in ON’s outreach ensemble “Sing for Smiles” which visits local assisted and independent living facilities. Private vocal lessons and coaching are provided as well as group master classes. There is no cost to participants. Admission is determined by audition and interview.
YOUTH CHORUS
Children in Southwest Florida have the amazing opportunity to perform in mainstage productions alongside professional singers with an orchestra. This unique experience is one they treasure and will never forget.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, students ages 13-21 are engaged in a two week training program that culminates in performing an operetta. In addition to preparing the production, the youth participate in master classes and workshops focusing on a variety of topics associated with opera including proper vocal technique, acting and improvisation, set and prop construction, and costume design. All interested participants are accepted into the program and perform in the production regardless of experience or audition. Scholarships are available to help cover the cost of the tuition.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Opera Naples offers public concerts throughout the community at performing arts centers, assisted and independent living facilities and other area venues providing insightful performances through education and outreach to all ages and stages.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RESIDENT ARTISTS
This program provides an artistically challenging residency for emerging professional singers who are pursuing a career in opera. Resident Artists are selected through a national search to work with Opera Naples during the peak season and are provided with housing, a weekly stipend, and a travel stipend. Opera Naples staff, supplemented by other area professional artists, provide coaching, instruction, and career advice. The Resident Artists perform principal roles in operas at the Wang Opera Center, perform secondary roles in mainstage operas at Artis—Naples, perform a children’s opera for the In-School tour program, and perform in various community events and concerts.
being here. For us, it’s to celebrate the irreplaceable role that the performing arts play in enhancing and enriching the life of our community. That’s why we’re committed to playing our part in helping the show go on.
We’re proud to support Opera Naples and all of the inspiration you bring.
Let’s talk about your why.
Contact Russ Beckner, Sr. Vice President, Market Leader, at 239-687-7260 or russell.beckner@pnc.com,
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SEASON
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