VPO Opera Gala Program May 2023

OPERA GALA: MAGIC MOMENTS -OF OPERA-

The Sharon®L. Morse

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Dear Patron of the Arts,

Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!

Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.

Since opening in 2015, we have strived to establish your trust, that a show at The Sharon is a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.

We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!

See You at The Sharon,

W hitney Morse Artistic Director

Magic Moment of Opera Scene and introduction to Opera concert.

During the nineteenth century the works of authors such as Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini and many more enjoyed great success.

In general, the works of this period were influenced by national literature but also by the nascent European romanticism and by William Shakespeare consequently the plots are often based on the inner movements of the characters, not infrequently protagonists of passionate love stories and tragic actions. The most present figures are those of the tyrant and the woman in love. However, the many spectacular effects and twists are due to the French opera. The libretto usually consists of 2-3 acts.

During the nineteenth century a precise relationship was established between the role of the singer and his voice: the tenor was no longer entrusted with the antagonist parts, on the contrary, he more and more often embodied the ideal of the hero in love and extremely passionate the bass were entrusted with solemn parts, mixed airs of wisdom and morality great importance was given to the baritone, antagonist in love for the tenor (as is the soprano, its female correspondent, the mezzo-soprano) the soprano's voice was by now inextricably associated with very delicate as well as idealized and angelic female figures, fragile but at the same time often strong in the values of modesty and chastity.

At the end of the nineteenth century and in the first decades of the twentieth century the major composers who dedicated themselves to melodrama and were important exponents of musical realism were: Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Umberto Giordano, Francesco Cilea and above all Giacomo Puccini.

Critics have united them with the epithet of Young School and, starting with Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, some of them have followed the path of realist opera, which had particular success in the last decade of the nineteenth century.

Musically yours, Pasquale

Valerio

PART ONE

Overture Marriage of Figaro

W. A. Mozart

De Vieni alla finestra

Don Giovanni

W. A. Mozart

La ci darem la mano

Don Giovanni

W. A. Mozart

Amor ti Vieta Fedora

Umberto Giordano

O mio babbino caro

Gianni Schicchi

Giacomo Puccini

Prelude Act one

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

Di Provenza il mar il suol

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

Ode to St. Ann

Raffaele Passaro

Orchestration Antonio Domenico

Brasiello

De miei bollenti spiriti

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

~ Intermission ~

PART TWO

il lacerato spirito

Simon Boccanegra

Giuseppe Verdi

E Lucevan le Stelle

G. Puccini

Habanera - Carmen by G. Bizet

Overture Barber of Seville

Gioacchino Rossini

Porquoi me reveiller

Werther

J. Massenet

Una voce poco fa

Barber of Seville

Gioacchino Rossini

Largo al factotum

Barber of Seville

Gioacchino Rossini

No Puede Ser from zarzuela

P. Sorozabal

Libiamo ne’ lieti calici

La Traviata

Giuseppe Verdi

MAESTRO

PASQUALE VALERIO, MAESTRO

Pasquale Valerio is the creator nurturer, mentor, and guiding light for the villages Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale.

Pasquale was born in Naples Italy and began his music studies at the age of nine he began studying Trumpet Performance at The N. Piccinni Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1985. His studies were not limited to trumpets but included complimentary piano studies, harmony, and lectures from maestro Filippo Veniero, who was his guide and mentor from 1976 to 1989 period his adult musical career began during his national service as a member of the Carabinieri (Italian Military Police). Fortunately for his musical development, most of this was with the band. After his discharge, he began playing trumpet at the Naples Opera House and he began studying conducting. Pasquale Valerio served as an apprentice under Sir Antonio Pappano for six years period Pasquale followed him around the world from 2006 to 2011 and learned directly from the conductor of the Royal Opera House in London period to that end, Pasquale believes fully in the music of education through music and that children are never too young to start discovering the power of harmony.

In 1996, Pasquale relocated to the United States to continue his conducting studies with Jay Whitney and Gunter Schmidt. In 2004 he became the founder and the musical director of Villages Philharmonic Orchestra where he continues to serve today. Maestro Valerio was the founder of the Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra and the co-founder and conductor of the Florida Lake Symphony from 2005 to 2006. Pasquale has been regularly invited as a guest conductor at the Orchestra Philharmonic 900’, Teatro Regio, and Viotti International Music festival.

In 2023, Pasquale was appointed as a Conductor Visiting Professor LPMAM for London Performing Academy of Music.

FEATURED ARTISTS

DEVON EATMON

Hailed for his “heroic high notes,” Devin M. Eatmon is a full lyric operatic tenor from Ocala, Florida. His performance history includes working with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Chelsea Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Aspen Music Festival, Opera Colorado, St. Petersburg Opera, Opera Orlando, and most recently Palm Beach Opera. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University; Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera staring baritone, David Okerlund. Some of Devin’s most notable collegiate roles include, Villiers in the Scholastic Premier of Carlisle Floyd’s, Prince of Players, Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's, La bohème, Curley in Floyd's, Of Mice and Men, and Aubrey in Heinrich Marschner’s, Der Vampyr. In the musical theater realm, Devin’s recent performances include playing the role of, Nicely Nicely Johnson in Victory Productions’ production of Guys And Dolls. Additionally, Devin is a member of the Classical Crossover group The Serenad3, with Tenor, Fernando Varela and Baritone, Craig Irvin. The group was founded during the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 and in its short existence has already been featured on David Foster’s “Hitman” Tour as well as a featured appearance with the Arizona MusicFest in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Eatmon recently completed a season with Palm Beach Opera as a Cornelia T. Bailey Apprentice Artist. While there he had the privilege of covering B.F Pinkerton in Puccini’s, Madama Butterfly as well as covering the roles of Dr. Caius and Bardolfo in Verdi’s, Falstaff.

GABRIEL PREISSER

Grammy Award winning baritone Gabriel Preisser has been praised by Opera News for his “handsome voice, charismatic energy, and timbral allure” and The New York Times called his performance as Lt. Gordon “wonderful.” His resume includes over 40 operatic and musical theater roles including Danilo in The Merry Widow with Utah Festival Opera, Billy Bigelow in Carousel with Minnesota Orchestra, Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia with St Petersburg Opera, Dandini in Cenerentola with Opera Tampa, Escamillo in Carmen with Lyric Opera of the North, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore with Shreveport Opera, Le Mari in Les Mamelles de Tiresias with Opera Parallele, Albert in Werther with Minnesota Opera, Mercutio in Romeo et Juliette with Opera Tampa and St. Petersburg Opera, Tommy in Brigadoon with Gulfshore Opera, Silvio in Pagliacci with Opera Naples, Harold Hill in The Music Man with Colorado Symphony, and Bob Baker in

FEATURED ARTIST

Wonderful Town with Skylark Opera to name a few. He has been praised for having a “matinee idol’s charm and charisma,” “a beautiful, luscious baritone,” and “a compelling, commanding stage presence.”

Mr. Preisser has made a name for himself as a versatile, cross-over performer and has especially been active in new works. He created the role of Lt. Gordon in Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prize winning Silent Night at Minnesota Opera with subsequent performances at Opera Philadelphia, Cincinnati Opera, and Michigan Opera Theatre. His performance as Lt. Gordon with Minnesota Opera was also broadcast nationally on PBS in 2013 and 2014. He also took on the role of Farmer Bean in Tobias Picker’s Fantastic Mr Fox both with Opera San Antonio and Odyssey Opera of Boston. He can be heard on the first official audio recording of Fantastic Mr Fox under the baton of Gil Rose with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project which won the Grammy Award for best new opera recording in 2020. He has also been seen as the title role in Aldridge’s Elmer Gantry, Tom Joad in Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath, Riolobo in Catan’s Florencia en el Amazonas, Antonio in Hagen’s New York Stories, John Brooke in Adamo’s Little Women, and the Shoe Salesman/Puppet role in Argento’s Postcard from Morocco. He is a frequent recitalist throughout the US and a proponent of American composers such as Charles Ives, Carlisle Floyd, Aaron Copland, John Duke, and others.

A 2016 League of American Orchestras Emerging Artist, Preisser is known for his dynamic interpretation of Orff’s Carmina Burana performed with the Winter Park Bach Festival, Atlanta Ballet, Gulf Coast Symphony, and others. He has also been heard as a bass soloist in Bach’s St Matthew Passion with the Colorado Symphony under the baton of Cristian Macelaru, soloist in William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with Jacksonville Symphony and the Canterbury Chorale, Schlendrian in Bach’s Coffee Cantata with Orlando Philharmonic, bass soloist in Bach’s St John’s Passion with the Houston Bach Society, and bass soloist in Handel’s Messiah with Ars Lyrica and The Messiah Choral Society. Mr. Preisser also serves as General Director for Opera Orlando.

RAPHAELLA MEDIN

Raphaella Medina has been consistently praised for her colorful timbre and moving performances. In the 22/23 season, she made role and house debuts as La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi and Clarina in La cambiale di matrimonio with Opera Orlando as a member of their Studio Artist program. She also made appearances with the Orlando Ballet and Orlando Philharmonic in Moulin Rouge, and the UCF Symphony as part of their UCF Celebrates the

FEATURED ARTIST

Arts Festival under the baton of Eric Jacobsen. In the summer of 2022, she joined Opera Saratoga as a Festival Artist, performing the role of the Mezzo Elder in Sky on Swings working alongside composer Lembit Beecher and covering the role of Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. A versatile artist, Raphaella has sung leading roles across a wide range of repertoire, including opera and musical theater and encompassing composers as varied as Mozart and Sondheim. Previous seasons have included performances with Opera Santa Barbara, Florentine Opera, and Opera Columbus. Raphaella is represented by Encompass Arts.

23/24 SEASON

SEPT 3 / MAY 6

Sunday, September 3 ..........................................Labor Day Celebration Pops

Sunday, October 8 ............................................ American Italian Celebration

Tuesday, November 28 ......................................................................... Messiah

Monday, December 18 .................................................... Holiday Celebration

Tuesday, December 19 .................................................... Holiday Celebration

Sunday, January 28 ................................................... Classical Concert Series

Wednesday, February 14 .....................

American Music Celebration of Love

Monday, March 18 ..................................................... Classical Concert Series

Sunday, April 21 ......................................................... Classical Concert Series

Monday, May 6 .................. Opera Gala Magical Moments of Opera Scenes

MAY 10 // SUBSCRIPTIONS* & INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE

CHOOSE AT LEAST 4 SHOWS & GET 10% OFF GET ALL 9 SHOWS & GET 15% OFF

ORCHESTRA ROSTER

FLUTE

Nicolas Real, Principal

Michelle Territo

OBOE

Amy Collins, Principal

Charles McGee

CLARINET

Jason Gibbs, Principal

Dominique Sniper

BASSOON

Chris Eberle, Principal

Kevin Fuller

FRENCH HORN

Joseph Lewinsky, Principal

Chase De Carlo

TRUMPET

John De Paola, Principal

Tarcisio D’Addona

TROMBONE

Andrea Rowlison, Principal

Jeremy Fielder

Anthony Hill

HARP

Susan Brady

TYMPANI

Christopher Nolin

Blackston Financial Advisory Group

FMK Restaurant Group

Francesco’s Ristorante

Fross & Fross Wealth Management

Havana Country Club & Legacy Restaurant at Nancy Lopez Country Club by Suleiman Family Restaurants

Royal Décor Company

Sheds N More

VPO DONORS 2022-23 CONCERT SEASON

ORCHESTRA CIRCLE

$10,000+

Margaret M. Dick

Linda Ferens

Maurice & Betsy Joy

Dean & Audrey

Throndsen

MAESTRO CIRCLE

$5,000 – $9,999

Augusto Bernardini

Jeff & Ursula Bergman

Charlotte & John Gates

David & JoAnne Kelch

Diane Kupchak

Peter & Mary Jane Moeller

Richard & Charlotte

Rahm

Mary Thomas

Don & Bonnie Waggoner

SYMPHONY CIRCLE

$2,500 – $4,999

Avrum Abramowitz

Sarah Jordan

CONCERTO CIRCLE

$1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous Donor

Steve & Donna Bell

John Canner

Bonita Carnes

Dennis R. Carney

David & Jeanette Colvin

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph

DeVuono

Ralph William Gingery

Carol Guglielm

Janet Howell

Doris Martin

George Neal

Darlene Pruett

Dr. & Mrs. Winfred

Stringer

Abbott & June Webber

Keith & Randee Workowski

OVERTURE CIRCLE

$500 – $999

Katheryn Batman

Robert Becker

Michelle Boone

Charlotte Conway

Roger & Julie Cooper

Ruth DiMare

Richard & Jeanne

Geoffrion

Richard Hoag

Noel Kott

William & Sharron

Leonhirth

Robert & Sara McPhail

Norman Lee & Terri

Schaffer

Paul & Dorian Schnirring

Ken & Mary Shutts

Joan Spires

Anna Whipple

SUITE CIRCLE

$100 – $499

Bernie & Elizabeth Albrecht

Gene Armani

Randall & Gemma

Benjamin

Linda Boese

Doug & Sharon Bretz

Thomas & Linda Casey

Kenny & Elizabeth

Constant

Glenda Crandall

Barbara Dipol

James & Karen Donavan

Mary Dzuro

Greg & Mary Feichtel

Jack & Nancy Fieldman

Leslie Flanders

Mia Ford

William & Gail FraserGiacchi

Lisa French

Peter Fritz & Carol

Mangan

Mary Ann Garback

Alan Geller

Greg & Carolynn Gilbert

Doris Goodwin

David & Kathleen

Haviland

VPO DONORS 2022-23 CONCERT SEASON

Debbie Halye

Richard & Susan Jacobs

Marlene Knopf

Brad Koozman

Gregory & Bonnie Larson

Gayle Marra

Eileen McCabe

James McQuiniff

Nick & Donna Meister

Thomas Murphy

Fritz & Debbie Neal

John Nickelson

Phillip Oliveira

Robert A. Phillips

Ron & Grace Ranger

Barbara Reynolds

Frank & Deborah Salerno

Paul & Rita Segnatelli

Andrew & Mary Sloan

George Stenz

Tony & Joanne Sutylo

Donna Thompson

Roy & Jackie Ullrich

Richard & Grace Waller

Robert & Joan Waller

Marie Washburn

Jeffrey Wheeler

Tera White

Theresa R. White

Carole Williamson

Bob & Debbie Wilson

Patricia Wilson

Mary Yankowski

Andrea Ziccarelli

Joseph Zientara

ARIA CIRCLE

Up to $99

Barbara Athanasiou

Irene Coen

Louise Elwood

Susan Escobedo

Paul F. Gaecke

Jordan Galvarino

Paul & Ann Hagerty

Valery Heyduk

K. L. Hoffman

Irene Hong-McAtee

Lora MacPherson

Joanne Michalski

Donald Mooty

Robert Muzzi

Patrice Pastore

Geraldine Piscitelli

Marianne Reinhard

Sally Rowe

Erika Schaffer

Joyce Smidt

Robert Smidt

C & H Van Benthuysen

Eric Williams

Susan Wright

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

Bill Barnes: Susan Escobedo

Fred Boyd: Frank & Janet

Argenziano

Fred Boyd: Mr. & Mrs. Manning

Fred Boyd: Don & Janet

Schiegel

Carolyn Johnson: Richard Johnson

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