MESSIAH 2025
THEATRE STAFF
Founder & Executive Director Jason Goedken
Founder & Artistic Consultant Whitney Morse
Artistic Director Angel Creeks
Director of Operations Jon Cronin
Director of Business
Sean Graham
Director of People, Projects & Culture ....................... Leslie Becker
Development Director .......... Yasmeen Stogden
Marketing Director ........Monica Berdecio, MA
Senior Manager of
Technical Operations
Booking & Contracts Manager
Clay Becker
Sierra Weiss
Assistant Production Manager Madi Carr
Audiovisual Supervisor –
Touring Productions........................ Luke Bezio
Deck & Facilities Coordinator .. Tony Fairchild
Lighting Supervisor ................... Ally Southgate
Associate Lighting Supervisor ..... Dio Raquel Jr.
Manager of Patron Services Alec Speers
Assistant Manager of Patron Services .............................. Tina Carroll
Assistant Manager of Patron Services ...........................Lonnie Goertz
Assistant Manager of Patron Services Savannah Rose Parker
Analyst, Sales & Customer Support .................... Kristin Fortuna
Marketing & Social Media Coordinator Natalie Bollinger
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Graphic Designer Krissi Kugler
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SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS BOARD
Production Swing Nichole Pollack
WHITNEY
The Sharon®L. Morse
PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Dear Patron of the Arts,
Welcome to The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center!
This year marks a very special milestone—10 years since The Sharon first opened its doors. What began in 2015 as a bold dream has grown into a vibrant home for live performance, rooted in the adventurous and artistic spirit of my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse.
Over the past decade, we’ve been honored to earn your trust, show by show, standing ovation by standing ovation. Whether you’re here tonight to experience a beloved Broadway tour, a favorite artist, or something entirely new, know that every performance has been thoughtfully curated by our passionate team of artists and arts administrators.
As we celebrate our first ten years, we’re also stepping into an exciting new chapter: The Sharon is now proudly powered by Significant Productions, a registered nonprofit dedicated to creating meaningful, memorable arts experiences in our community. With this new foundation, we’re not only preserving what makes The Sharon special, we’re building toward a future filled with bold ideas, diverse stories, and even more opportunities to surprise and delight you.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re so glad you’re here. Enjoy the show, and here’s to the next ten years of discovery, connection, and applause.
See You at The Sharon, Whitney Morse
Founder & Artistic Consultant Significant Productions
ART. ARTISTS. AUDIENCE. SIGNIFICANT PRODUCTIONS (SIGPRO) is a Non-Profit arts organization that operates The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Sharon) & The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol (The Studio).
OUR MISSION; SigPro cultivates a diverse collaborative community with a focus on artists' well-being that strives to provoke thought and spark conversation through high quality performing arts.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
We believe that fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace is essential for the creation of exceptional art. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to our employees. This ensures every individual who contributes to our productions feels valued and empowered. We actively promote a workplace culture that embraces differences and encourages collaboration among our diverse team of artists, technicians, administrators, and volunteers.
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MESSAGE FROM THE MAESTRO
Dear friends and supporters of The Villages Philharmonic,
We meet once again for this magnificent opening concert of the holiday season, which will accompany us until January 1st. What better occasion to celebrate one of the most extraordinary masterpieces of music by a great composer of the Baroque era, Antonio Vivaldi? Among his many compositions, one of the masterpieces that Vivaldi wrote and gifted to humanity is: “The Four Seasons.“
Our guest artist for the interpretation of this masterpiece by Antonio Vivaldi will be the exceptional Italian Violinist, Gennaro Desiderio, who already enchanted the audience last February.
In the second part of the program, we will perform a monument of music, George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, specifically the first part which celebrates the Nativity, concluding with the Hallelujah chorus.
Orlando Opera Chorus and four beautiful voices join the stage with me, Soprano Julie Batman, Alto Emily Heumann, Tenor Nathan Munson, and Bass Gabriel Preisser.
Wishing you a happy holiday season, which will begin with Thanksgiving and continue throughout December. I hope you will continue to love music as much as we do and support the arts and your orchestra.
Musically yours,
Maestro Pasquale Valerio Founder, Director, and Chair of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra
SUBSCRIPTIONS & SUBSCRIPTION RENEWALS ON SALE NOW CHOOSE AT LEAST 4 SHOWS & GET 10% OFF
Mon, Dec 16-17 .............................................. Holiday Celebration
Wed, Jan 28 ................ Rhapsody in Blue and Dvorak Symphony #8
Sat, Feb 14 ............................. American Music: Celebration of Love
Tue, Mar 10 .............. Classical Concert Series: Kabalevsky & Mozart
Thu, Apr 2 ....... Classical Concert Series: Mendelssohn & Beethoven
Sat, May 16 ............... Opera Gala: Magic Moments of Opera Scenes DONATE TODAY!
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 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” and at the end of 2023, appointed Honor Roll of “ALTAMURA MERCADANTE FEST”.
PROGRAM
G. F. Handel Messiah (HWV 56)
The Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer.
It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
The Messiah is George Frideric Handel’s best-known composition. It has become one of the world’s most frequently performed choral works, particularly popular during Advent season. Part I is divided into “scenes” composed of individual recitatives, in which the singer adopts a rhythm of ordinary speech, as well as arias and choruses. There are two instrumental numbers, the opening overture and the “pastoral symphony” at the mid-point of the work. The performance concludes with the jubilant Hallelujah Chorus.
Oratorio
Messiah differs from Handel’s other oratorios in that it does not contain an encompassing narrative, instead offering contemplation on different aspects of the Christian Messiah.
The oratorio’s structure follows the liturgical year: Part I corresponding with Advent, Christmas, and the life of Jesus. The birth and death of Jesus are told in the words of the prophet Isaiah, the most prominent source for the libretto. The only true “scene” of the oratorio is the annunciation to the shepherds which is taken from the Gospel of Luke. The imagery of shepherd and lamb features prominently in many movements, for example: in the aria “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd” (the only extended piece to talk about the Messiah on earth), in the opening of Part II (“Behold the Lamb of God”), in the chorus “All we like sheep”, and in the closing chorus of the work “Worthy is the Lamb “
The librettist arranged his compilation in “scenes” each concentrating on a topic.
SCENES
“The prophecy and realisation of God’s plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah”
Scene 1: “Isaiah’s prophecy of salvation” (movements 2–4)
1. “Overture”
2. Comfort ye, Comfort ye my people.
3. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted.
4. And the Glory of the Lord.
Scene 2: “The prophecy of the coming of Messiah and the question, despite, of what this may portend for the World” (movements 5–7)
5. Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of Hosts -the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His Temple.
6. But who may abide the day of His coming.
7. And He shall purify.
Scene 3: “The prophecy of the Virgin Birth” (movements 8–12)
8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive.
9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion.
10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth.
11. The people that walked in darkness.
12. For unto us a Child is born.
Scene 4: “The appearance of the Angels to the Shepherds” (movements 13–17)
13. Pastoral Symphony.
14. There were shepherds abiding in the field. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them.
15. And the angel said unto them.
16. And suddenly there was with the angel.
17. Glory to God in the highest.
Scene 5: “Christ’s redemptive miracles on earth” (movements 18–21)
18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion.
19. Then shall the eyes of the blind be open’d.
20. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd come unto Him, all ye that labour.
21. His yoke is easy, His burthen is light.
22. Hallelujah Chorus
PROGRAM
Antonio Vivaldi
The Four Seasons
The four Seasons is the title by which the first four solo violin concertos of Antonio Vivaldi’s opera Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’inventione are known.
Each concerto of the Four Seasons is divided into three movements, two of which, the first and third, are in Allegro or Presto tempo, while the middle movement is in Adagio or Largo, following a pattern Vivaldi adopted for most of his concertos.
Each concerto refers to one of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
The instrumentation for all scores consists of: solo violin, string quartet (first and second violins, viola, cello), and basso continuo (harpsichord, bassoon, archlute).
La Primavera (Springs )
The three movements of Spring describe three moments of the season: the birdsong (allegro/a), the shepherd’s rest with his dog (largo), and the final dance (allegro/a). The solo violin represents a sleeping shepherd, the violas the barking of his faithful dog, and the remaining violins represent the rustling leaves.
L’Estate (Summer )
With its fiery and violent tones, this concerto more effectively reflects the explosive energy of the season than the others. The storm is described step by step as it appears to the shepherd: first, it approaches from afar in the summer heat (allegro non molto), then the shepherd is frightened by the raging storm (adagio), and finally the violence unleashed by the storm in action ( presto ).
L’ Autunno (Autumn )
Vivaldi depicts the figure of the Roman god Bacchus: an initial overview of the grape harvest (allegro) is followed by the intoxication of wine, in the movement entitled “I dormienti ubriachi,” in a dreamy and serene atmosphere (adagio molto). The final movement coincides with the pounding rhythms of the hunt (allegro).
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PROGRAM
L’ Inverno ( Winter )
Winter is described in three moments: the merciless action of the icy wind (allegro non molto), the rain falling slowly on the frozen ground (largo), and the serene acceptance of the harsh winter weather (allegro).
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listening guide
Concerto in mi major for violin and orchestra “ La primavera”, op. 8 n. 1, RV 269
1. Allegro
2. Largo
3. Danza pastorale ( pastoral dance )
In the opening Allegro, the composer strives to create a festive atmosphere: that of the first days of spring, a reviving balm after the cold of the long winter.
The Largo begins with two descriptions that unfold simultaneously: a broad, Corellian-like melody with which the violins recall the goatherd’s sweet sleep, and a murmur reminiscent of the rustling of the branches.
The third movement is again an Allegro and describes a well-paced pastoral dance, not failing to recall the festive appearance of nymphs and shepherds, desired by the poet.
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Concerto in G minor for violin, strings and continuo “ L’estate”, ( Summer ) op. 8 n. 2, RV 315 1. Allegro non molto - Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Presto
The “harsh season of the sun” is initially described with a somewhat laborious Allegro non molto, which attempts to capture the sultry feeling typical of the hot season.
In the Adagio, a moving melody emerges, even more heartfelt than that of Primavera. It has a very limited number of bars: indeed, the dull rumble of thunder is immediately heard.
The elements are so many that the musician can complete the Presto without the aid of new themes.
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Concerto in fa major for violin, Strings and continuo
“L’autunno” ( Autumn )
op. 8 n. 3, RV 293
1. Allegro
2. Adagio molto
3. Allegro
In the initial Allegro, which describes the peasant’s joy at the “happy harvest,” the songs and dances are so lively that they evoke the image of peasants, both men and women, surrendered to the most intense joy.
In the Adagio, a little peace and solitude seem to be invoked. The musical idea unfolds smoothly, always supported by the same bass, which varies imperceptibly.
The awakening is marked by preparations for the hunt: a somewhat heavy Allegro theme, in 3/8 time. Now the first theme falls silent; the preparations are complete and the game begins.
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Concerto in F Minor for violin, Strings and continuo
“L’inverno”, ( Winter )
op. 8 n. 4, RV 297
The Allegro non molto describes the sensations of shivering caused by the most intense cold. There is no melody: a series of dotted notes that perfectly achieves the desired effect.
The Largo describing the rain is one of the most beautiful passages of “The Red Priest,” not only for its opening melody, but also for the way the veristic element is realized with the pizzicatos of the second violins, and even more so for the warm, very human new melody that emerges from the orchestral ensemble.
The “walking slowly” of the final Allegro can be traced to the accentuations placed at the beginning of each sextet.
FEATURED ARTISTS
GENNARO DESIDERIO, VIOLIN
Born in 1974 into a family of musicians. He began studyng music on the classical guitar.
In 1980 he partecipated in an international competition for classical guitarist in the town of Recanati. He won first prize In 1981 he left the guitar for the sound of violin. He first studied with M° Ciro Astarita, and than under the guidance of M° Arciprete who leads him to his diploma at “S. Pietro A Majella” Conservatore in Naples.
In 1986 he partecipated as a guest in the television programme “Domenica In” togheter with his two brothers Aniello and Gaetano as a Trio, where he gained both the audience and critics acclaim.
A versatile musician when he completed his studies he felt the urge to approach other musical styles and therefore he took up an intense concert activity which led him to confront both jazz and pop. With Lina Sastri in 1997/98 he took parta s a solo violinist in the world tour of the show “Cuore Mio” (My Heart). In 1998 he was at “Biennale Dell’Arte” in Venice with Enzo Moscato. In the same year, together with other neapolitan musicians he formed the “Maluki Jazz Quartet” with which he won first prize at “Foggia Jazz Festival”.
He has participated as a leading musician in many television shows with the “DIMI” orchestra, under the direction of M° Peppe Vessicchio. He has chosen by M° Roberto De Simone to take part of some of his best known works such as “Gatta Cenerentola” and “ L’Opera Buffa del Giovedì Santo”.
In the year 2000 he formed a duo with Aniello, which performed both in Italy and abroad: Winthertur, Bonn, Musikfest di Bremen, Wesel, Colonia, Francoforte, Brucknerhaus di Linz, Waldkraiburg, Murnau, Rheingau Music Festival, Istanbul. In 2002 he and his brother Gaetano performed as solo artist at “Todi Music Fest” under the direction of M° Walter Attanasi, the world premier of Astor Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango” for solo violin, piano obbligato and orchestra, arr. By Ciro Caravano (I Neri per Caso).
In 2003 for the Opera Ballet and concert season at the “ Teatro Dell’Opera” in Rome he played as a solo artist in the show “Girotondo Romano” by Beppe Mehegatti with Carla Fracci. In the same year he became first violin in the permament orchestra at the “Trianon Theater” in Naples.
First violin and solo player in the “DIMI” orchestra, he collabprated wit international known artists among whom: Walter Attanasi, Ennio Morricone, Lionel Richi, t, Renato Zero, Gino Paoli,Ornella Vanoni, Lucio Dalla, Mario Biondi Riccardo Cocciante, Milva, Lina Sastri, Ron, Demo Morselli, Loredana Bertè, Albano, Fabio Concato, Spagna, Rossana Casale, Giovanotti, Dolce Nera, Francesco De Gregari, Lisa, Sergio Cammariere, Massimo Ranieri, Niccolò Fabi,
FEATURED ARTISTS
Gigi D’alessio.
2004 saw him engaged in duo concerts with violinist Stefano Pagliani. Still in 2004 he was in New York playing duo with pianist Cristiana Pegoraro for the Italian Culture Month and The Italia America Chamber of Commerce al DiCapo Opera Theatre di NY in Music and Passion from Naples to Buenos Aires.
In 2005 and 2006 he was invited as solo artist to the USA for the opening concert of the Todi Musicfest for violin and orchestra.
In 2007 he toured Europe (Germany, Turkie, Holland) along with his brothers Gaetano and Aniello and the argentinian bandoneon player Romulo Larrea in quartet and orchestra concert within a Tanghero programme.
He has recorded several albums ranging from classcal to pop, jazz and folk music among which his brother Aniello “Tango y Danza” for “Universal” label.
He is currently engaged as first violin and solo player in the TV programme “Amici” hosted by Maria De Filippi. He i salso working on a concert and recording project “From Vivaldi to Piazzola” with Aniello Desiderio quartet.
JULIE BATMAN, SOPRANO
An Iowa native, Julie Batman sings with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra as a featured soloist for the 7th year. She sings as a soloist and occasional choral singer with many local organizations such as Opera Tampa, the Orlando Light Opera, the Basilica, Mary Queen of the Universe, St. James Cathedral Orlando, The Bach Festival choir, the Messiah Society of Winter Park, The Dicken’s Carolers and Central Florida Community Arts. She is a graduate and Staff Professor of voice and piano at Rollins College. Julie has been a church music director for several churches, classroom music teacher, choral director and vocal and instrumental accompanist as well. Her credits include being a featured soloist for the contemporary ballet, Carolina, Handel’s The Messiah with Messiah Choral Society, Central Florida Community Arts, and the Basilica Mary Queen of the Universe Shrine. She has sung Mozart’s Requiem, Schubert Magnificat, Vivaldi’s Nulla in Mundo Pax/Alleluia, Mozart’s Laudate Dominum with the Bach Festival Choir and t in Carnatus est from Mozart’s Grand Mass in C with Central Florida Community Arts and has been a featured soloist on several CDS: Osterkantate Ernest Wolf Easter Cantata- Moravian Society, All is Bright- Bach Festival Choir, Ave Maria- Stemik music, Carolina contemporary Ballet CD and DVD. In addition to singing and teaching, Julie enjoys accompanying choral groups, and offering vocal and piano musical entertainment to social groups and events and traveling with family.
FEATURED ARTISTS
EMILY HEUMANN, MEZZO-SOPRANO
Emily Heumann has gained recognition for her “delicious vocals” (Arts + Culture Texas Magazine) and “credible” storytelling (Orlando Sentinel). She has appeared with dozens of companies across the country in operas, concerts, oratorios, musicals, and new music programs. Recent appearances include the title role in Argento’s Miss Manners on Music in Clearwater, an appearance in the Romanza Festival in St. Augustine, and Mercedes in Carmen. Favorite roles from the operatic stage include Cherubino in Le Nozze di Figaro, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel, Mrs. Noye in Noye’s Fludde, Nicklausse in Les contes d’Hoffmann, and The Fox in The Little Prince. Emily is an alumna of the St. Petersburg Opera Company Emerging Artist Program, the Opera Orlando Studio Artist Program, and the Savannah VOICE Festival Studio Artist Program. She received her M.M. in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at The University of Houston’s Moores School of Music and her B.A. in Music (Voice Performance) from Rollins College. She is currently on the voice faculty at The College of Central Florida and she serves as the Executive & Artistic Director of the Howey Music Series.
NATHAN MUNSON, TENOR
Nathan Munson has been praised for his vocal beauty, maintaining a versatile presence on the concert and operatic stage. He has sung leading and supporting roles with the Sarasota Opera, Hawaii Opera Theatre, the Atlanta Opera, Opera North, Piccola Opera San Antonio, Capitol City Opera, dell’Arte Opera, and the Illinois Opera Theatre. Roles include Beppe in Pagliacci, the Steersman in Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer, Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Normanno in Lucia di Lammermoor, Pedrillo in Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Remendado and El Dancaïre in Carmen, Rodolfo in La bohème, Roméo in Roméo et Juliette, Ferrando in Così fan tutte, Cassio in Verdi’s Otello, and Dr. Baglioni in a world-premiere revision of Daniel Catan’s La hija de Rappaccini. Recent performances with the Atlanta Opera include roles in Carmen, Der Kaiser von Atlantis, Frida, Salome, The Seven Deadly Sins, and Turandot.
In addition to his operatic appearances, Mr. Munson has been a frequent visitor to the concert stage. Most recently, he sang the tenor solos in Handel’s Messiah with the National Chorale on the stage of David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center in New York City and Carmina Burana with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. He premiered a new work for tenor and orchestra by Thomas Ludwig in April of 2021, entitled To Be or Not To Be? Before cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was to have sung with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and Carmina Burana with Berry College. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and debuted with the Helena
FEATURED ARTISTS
Symphony Orchestra (Montana) in Handel’s Messiah. He has been soloist in Bruckner’s Te Deum, Bach’s B-minor Mass, Saint John’s Passion and Magnificat, and Mozart’s Requiem. He has also been featured with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, and the Huntsville Symphony.
Mr. Munson can be heard on the world premiere recording of The Golden Ticket (Albany Records) and was a featured soloist in a Christmas Concert with the Atlanta Opera, which was recorded live for broadcast by WABE-Atlanta. He is an Assistant Professor of Music-Voice in the School of Music at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
GABRIEL PREISSER, BARITONE
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 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 recently made his Italian debut in Naples, Italy as soloist in the Mozart Requiem under the baton of Maestro Pasquale Valerio.
ORCHESTRA ROSTER
FIRST VIOLIN
Evgene Komarnitskiy, Concertmaster
Elena Komarnitsakaia
Marius Tabacila
José Guedez
David Daijang
Baoling Xu
Michael De Jesus
Ivette Ferreira
SECOND VIOLIN
Gregory Carreño, Principal
Israel Méndez
Luisamar Navarro
Marialejandra Vásquez
Yasmary Márquez
Yenifer Laurens
VIOLA
Richard Urbano, Principal
Juan Carlos Siviero
Francia Laurens
Aine Munn
CELLO
David Calhoun, Principal
Olga Beliaieva
Helen Lewis
DOUBLE BASS
Kevin Gallagher, Principal
Leniot Hernandez
TRUMPET
John De Paola, Principal
Andree Córdova
TYMPANI
Christopher Nolin
HARPSICHORD
Sergei Kossenko
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Ralph Gingery
Jay & Lesly Ginsberg
Carol Guglielm
Diane Kupchak
Keith & Marcelene Lindstrom in Honor of Dean & Audrey
Throndsen’s 50th
Wedding Anniversary
Robert Lonergan
Ted & Carol Mervosh
Robert A. Phillips
Dr. & Mrs. Winfred
Stringer
Dr. Laurie Ullery
Anna Whipple
OVERTURE CIRCLE
$500 – $999
Avrum Abramowitz
Robert Becker
Steve & Donna Bell
Charlotte Conway
David Derenzo
Barbara Dipol
William & Judith Doran
Doris Goodwin
George Guarino
Richard & Estella Hoag
Marilyn Martin
Clint & Michelle Newman
Richard & Charlotte
Rahm
Henry Safford
Ken & Mary Shutts
Kathy Sumner
Yvonne Tepsick
Kirk Thompson
Paul & Jilleen Throndsen
Holly Tobin
Richard & Grace Waller
Abbott & June Webber
Andrea Ziccarelli
SUITE CIRCLE
$100 – $499
Deborah Achtenberg
Kathy Aiello
Gail Lanphere Bailey
Sara Barger
Jeff & Ursula Bergman
John Blassick
Frank & Linda Blews
Jeff & Lisa Boduch
Linda Boese
Donna Bracchi
Dora Bryan
Stephanie Calareso
Thomas & Linda Casey
Ed Christian
Danny Cibas
Dr. & Mrs. James Coe
Irene Coen
Marie Connolly
Glenda Crandall
Jill Cummings
VPO DONORS 2025-26 CONCERT SEASON
Robert & Lorraine
Dibartolo
Marjorie & Reginald Dodrill
Caroline Doran
Arthur & Louise Elwood
Baerbel Engel
David Fancher
Robert Faucett
Greg & Mary Feichtel
Sandra Fennell
Jay & Carol Force
Mary Ann Garback
Richard & Camille
Gehnrich
Dr. Robert & B. Gold
Sheldon & Shelley Goldseker
David Guinther
Richard Hall
Kent & Sarah Hamdorf
Carol Joyce Harrison
Joseph & Marcia Harvey
Mark Hawke
Christine Heaton
Joan Jamieson
Dan & Carol Johns in Honor of Ann Whipple
John & Alexsandra Kirby
Brad Koozman
James Langendorfer in Honor of Anna Whipple
Steven & Jayne Lewin
Eileen McCabe
Shirley McHugh
Nick & Donna Meister
Harold & Roberta Messenheimer
Diane Mezzanotte
Joanne Michalski
Kathleen Miller
Ted Miller
John & Jeanne Nickelson
Bob & Georgann Ozbolt
Robert Perkinson
Kathi Renman
Jeremy & Barbara
Reynolds
Edmund Ricci
Michele Santoro
Norman Lee & Terri Schaffer
Arthur Sindoris
Erik St Pierre
Jeffrey Stierlen
Ronald Streib
Tony & Joanne Sutylo
Nancy Tuccillo
John Van Dyke
Antonio Velardi
Theresa R. White
Ellen Wilcox
Carole Williamson
Jerry & Judy Wise
Mary Yankowski
Stuart & Barbara Yowell in Honor of Anna Whipple
ARIA CIRCLE
Robert Burns
Craig & Becky Closser
Robert & Anna Deeter
Diane Duffett
Thomas Galen
Calasha Gish
Melody Highman
Phineas & Ilene Hyams
David Kizale
Margaret Mecheski
Gary Perlick
Janice Porter
Robert & Charlene Soos
Dale Stier
Robert & Glenda Supino
Murial Trulson
Joy Turpie
John Voorhes
Lukas West
Bonnie Williams
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
BUSINESS PARTNERS
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
Great theatre requires talent, passion, and the support of our community. The Villages values the power of art and recognizes Significant Productions’ role in enriching our lifestyle. Join them, as we have, in ensuring that live theater continues to thrive.
POWERING art IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH
Free Memory Screens
Hand-Selected Jewelry from the World’s Finest Brands
Hand-Selected Jewelry from the World’s Finest Brands
Expert Repairs by In-House Master Jewelers
Expert by In-House Master
Certified Appraisals On-Site by GIA Gemologists
Appraisals On-Site GIA Gemologists in The Community for 25 Years
Proudly Family-Owned in The Villages® Community for 25 Years
ADVERTISE
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.
