VPO American Italian Celebration 2023

AMERICAN ITALIAN CELEBRATION

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, Whitney

Morse

Artistic Director

MESSAGE FROM THE MAESTRO

Tonights concert is dedicated to Oscar Feliu, Artist, Project Creator and Co Founder of The Villages Philharmonic.

Dear Friends and Supporters of The Village Philharmonic,

It’s amazing how quickly time passes! This 2023-2024 season celebrates our Orchestra’s 20th anniversary. To me, it seems like it was just yesterday when my close friend Oscar Feliu and I planned/dreamed of creating a musical project that would fulfill the task of disseminating opera, symphonic repertoire and contemporary music in this wonderful city, The Villages.

Our goals were and still are driven by several factors, these include: dedication and passion. With these two factors we built what is today The Villages Philharmonic.

This latest concert and selections of songs you will hear, are Oscar Feliu’s favorites. We, the guest artists, orchestra and staff wish to dedicate this concert to Oscar Feliu: artist, mentor, talent scout and to me, a brother. Thanks to his commitment, dedication to our city The Villages, we have reached an organizational and artistic level of the highest quality.

Musically Yours,

Pasquale Valerio Musical Director and Founder

PASQUALE VALERIO, MAESTRO

Pasquale Valerio is an internationally acclaimed Orchestral Conductor. In 2004 he founded The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, became its musical director, and is still engaged in concerts and tours throughout Florida and worldwide. Maestro Valerio was also the founder of the Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra as well as co-founder and conductor of the Florida Lakes Symphony from 2005 to 2006.

He collaborates with various European orchestras such as the Philharmonic Orchestra ‘900 of the Teatro Regio Opera in Turin, the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague, the Virtuosi of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, the Virtuosi of the Philharmonic of Bacau, the “A. Scarlatti” Symphony Orchestra of Naples, Orchestra Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia.

In 2006 had the opportunity to assist Sir Antonio Pappano, current Music Director of the Royal Opera House in London This collaboration represented a great point of reference for maestro Valerio and indelibly marked his experience of conducting growth. From 2007 to 2009 he collaborated with the internationally known Viotti music festival in Vercelli, Italy and in May 2018 he began an ongoing cooperation with the North California Music Festival as guest conductor.

Pasquale Valerio was born in Naples to a family linked to cultural traditions and founding religious values. The great passion for music was evident from the first years of his life, but, only towards the tenth year of age did he begin his musical studies, first with the piano, and subsequently, at the age of thirteen years, when he began studying trumpet. It is in this period that Pasquale met Maestro Filippo Veniero, an important musical guide for subsequent studies. He studied trumpet at the school of Maestro Francesco Lentini, Bari Conservatory, with whom he obtained the middle completion and, subsequently under the guidance of Maestro Diego Benedusi, he obtained the superior completion of trumpet.

After completing his trumpet studies, he collaborated as an instrumentalist with orchestras of major opera and symphonic institutions including the Opera House “Teatro di San Carlo in Naples “and with other major opera orchestras and symphonic institutions. Simultaneously he studied Composition and Score Reading at the School of Maestro Filippo Veniero.

The meeting with two conductors, J Withney and Gunther Smidth (United States) conditioned the musical journey and made it possible that in 1998 Pasquale resumed his studies started in Naples with F. Veniero. Also important was the meeting with the famous conductor Anton Coppola in 1999, who became

MAESTRO

Pasquale’s mentor and guide.

Pasquale is a guest collaborator at festivals and international competitions, including:

International Piano Competition “F. Schubert” in San Cristoforo Virtuosi of the Bacau Philharmonic, Romania, Viotti Music Festival, Camerata Ducale, Italy, Piano Festival of Carrara/Arezzo

Orchestra 900’ of the Teatro Regio of Turin, Oída Symphony Orchestra (Arezzo)

Philharmonic Orchestra of Benevento, New Orchestra Scarlatti and Florida

Philharmonia

In the academic year 2023 he was appointed Visiting Professor of Conducting Studies at the “London Performing Arts Academy”.

23/24 SEASON

SEPT 3 / MAY 6

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS* & INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE CHOOSE AT LEAST 4 SHOWS & GET 10% OFF

FEATURED ARTISTS

PASQUALE ESPOSITO, TENOR

was born and raised in Naples, Italy. He immigrated to the United States winning the Green Card Lottery in 1998. He pursued his passion for music by studying at San Jose State University receiving his Bachelor of Arts Degree where he was a distinguished alumnus in 2009. He is an international crossover recording artist, acclaimed for his pop-opera delivery of songs. Esposito released 9 albums and began touring internationally with his first musical revue: Naples…That’s Amore in 2005. Thereafter, he toured with his CD of Original Compositions: A Brand New Me (2009) and Il Tempo (2011).

Following the success of spreading his rich Italian culture through music, he embarked on writing and producing his 1st PBS Special: Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Enrico Caruso in 2015. The program was filmed in the historic Castello Giusso in Vico Equense on the Amalfi Coast. Esposito was accompanied by the Orchestra Santa Chiara conducted by Maestro Renato Serio. The docu-concert pays homage to Caruso by taking the audience on a musical journey in Italy highlighting the life, career and songs that made Caruso an international star. Maestro Placido Domingo collaborated in the program with an intimate interview. The PBS Special had over 220,000,000 potential viewers coupled with a current live touring version. A CD, DVD and Bluray are available of the Special.

Esposito had his successful debut at San Francisco Opera in June 2015 with the premiere of Marco Tutino’s Two Women (an opera adaptation of the 1960s film La Ciociara –with Sophia Loren whom he had the pleasure of sharing the stage with in her recent US Tour). The New York Times stated that Esposito sang with “airy charm” for his performance of Ragazzo del Popolo while the San Francisco Chronicle described Esposito as “a charismatic and dulcet-toned singer.”

In Spring 2018, Esposito released his 2nd Public TV Special on PBS Stations: Pasquale Esposito Celebrates Italian Piazzas. Esposito was accompanied by the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani conducted by Maestro Adriano Peninno. This docu-concert is a unique musical journey of culture, art, and tradition where Esposito dedicates a song to each of the beautiful piazzas (squares) performed in the prestigious Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples, Italy. A live concert version of the special followed with a robust 2018/2019 national tour.

In January 2020, Esposito filmed two new TV Specials in Naples, Italy at the historic Teatro Politeama. The first is a Christmas Special: In the Spirit of Christmas (Summer 2020 release) conducted by Maestro Adriano Peninno and the second is a Special titled: Il Tempo (Time) conducted by Maestro Ettore Gatta. Pasquale

FEATURED ARTISTS

is accompanied in both special by the Orchestra Talenti Napoletani. The second special comprises of a collection of songs that have influenced Pasquale Esposito’s career and personal life over the years. It’s expected release is set for March 2021.

SAMANTHA BARNES DANIEL, SOPRANO

Central Florida native soprano performs actively as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the area. She earned her bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Central Florida and her master’s degree in opera and vocal performance from Northwestern University. She is a two-time National semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and was a Sarah Tucker Grant Nominee in the Richard Tucker Foundation Competition. Ms. Barnes Daniel has performed with numerous organizations in the state and throughout the country such as Opera Orlando, The Orlando Philharmonic, Opera Tampa, Chautauqua Opera, Arizona Opera, The Illinois Philharmonic, The Villages Philharmonic, The Voices of Liberty and many others. Recent stage credits include the Mother in Hansel & Gretel, and Catherine of Aragon in Opera

Orlando and Helena’s award winning Orlando Fringe show, 6 of VIII, for which she also wrote the book. She also maintains a private voice studio in Central Florida and serves on the voice faculty at Rollins College.

SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK

lyric baritone, has been singing across the state of Florida since graduating from Florida State University in 2007, including regular engagements with Opera Tampa as well as First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, The Florida Lyric Opera in Tampa, and The Villages Philharmonic, Imperial Symphony, and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestras. A strong supporter of modern music, his original works have been recorded on two CDs by the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Mr Stork is currently performing across the country with Diversita Opera Arts Company, Opera Tampa, The Villages

Philharmonic Orchestra; Orlando Philharmonic; The Hudson Valley Chorale; Orlando Harmony; Orlando Exchange; the Dickens Carolers; and the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

ORCHESTRA ROSTER

FLUTE

Nicolas Real, Principal

Tanja Agreiter

OBOE

Amy Collins, Principal

Chanmi Kim

CLARINET

Jason Gibbs, Principal

Dominique Snider

BASSOON

Chris Eberle, Principal

FRENCH HORN

Joseph Lewinsky, Principal

Dann O’Donnel

TRUMPET

John De Paola, Principal

Tarcisio D’Addona

TROMBONE

Andrea Rowlison, Principal

Jeremy Fielder

Anthony Hill

TUBA

Robin Sisk

PIANO

Krystof Sebrakowski

Zion Phoenix

TYMPANI

Chris Nolin

PERCUSSION

Jordan Holley

DRUM SET

Simon Ramos

FIRST VIOLIN

Stewart Kitts, Concertmaster

Sandy Kitts

David Dajiang

Cindy Qi

Baoling Xu

Jose Guedez

Michael De Jesus

Carlos Jaques

SECOND VIOLIN

Gregory Carreno, Concertmaster

Elizabeth Kitts

Luisamar Navarro

Natalie Kitts

Yenifer Laurens

Israel Mendez

VIOLA

Rafael Ramirez, Principal

Juan C. Siviero

Andrea Oliveira

Francia Laurens

CELLO

David Calhoun, Principal

Olga Beliaieva

Valentina Alejandra Hernandez Espitia

Helen Lewis

DOUBLE BASS

Kevin Gallagher, Principal

Jonathan Timothy Ingram

Mikey McCabee

VPO DONORS 2023-24 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

Steve & Donna Bell

CONCERTO CIRCLE

$1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous Donor

John Canner

Bonita Carnes

Dennis R. Carney

David & Jeanette Colvin

Charlotte Conway

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

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

Dora Bryan

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

VPO DONORS 2023-24 CONCERT SEASON

Doris Goodwin

David & Kathleen

Haviland

Debbie Halye

Richard & Susan Jacobs

Marlene Knopf

Brad Koozman

Gregory & Bonnie Larson

Gayle Marra

Eileen McCabe

James McQuiniff

Nick & Donna Meister

Kathleen Miller

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

Ronald Streib

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

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

ADVERTISE

with us

Increase your visibility by marketing your message to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center’s local, engaged audience, as well as advertise in The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol’s Programs and our monthly Digital Newsletter, The Scoop!

For information on prices, ad sizes, and availability, please email us at marketing@significantproductions.org.