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Opera Orlando
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Opera Orlando is an opera company located in Central Florida. Established in 2016 by Gabriel Preisser [1] and the Florida Opera Theatre, it provides educational programs in addition to mainstage and on-the-town productions.
Opera Orlando's mainstage performances take place at Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The Company also performs at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater from time to time in addition to multiple other venues throughout Central Florida.
History
[edit]In 2009, after half a century of operation, the Orlando Opera permanently closed its doors. The space that closure left was temporarily filled by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Florida Opera Theatre. Under the leadership of the Florida Opera Theatre, Opera Orlando was founded in 2016 by current general director and CEO Gabriel Preisser.
The company hosted a successful fundraising gala in March that same year, earning donations from about 200 artists, art lovers, and enthusiastic supporters. This fundraising effort led to the company's inaugural productions in April 2016. These were Mozart's Impresario and Poulenc's Les Mamelles de Tirésias on-stage at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
In June 2016, the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting caused the Orlando community to come together. Opera Orlando hosted the benefit One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song[2] to assist five different charities: Orlando Health’s Level One Trauma Center, the Orlando LGBTQ Community Center, the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, Holocaust Center's UpStanders: Stand Up to Bullying Initiative, and the Zebra Coalition. This effort proved fruitful and helped uplift the Orlando community through fundraising and the arts.
While mainstage productions have always been at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the company initially operated on the Walt Disney Theatre and Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre stages. In 2022, their productions moved to the newly constructed Steinmetz Hall as it was a space more ideal for Grand Opera.
The company will celebrate their tenth anniversary during the 2026-27 season.
Mission
[edit]The mission that drives the company of Opera Orlando is to connect and engage with the community of Central Florida as well as to present them the transformative years of Opera. As the company demonstrates high caliber and relevant productions, they even offer educational programs for all ages to enrich and reflect the diverse culture of the community.
Programs
[edit]In addition to its seasonal productions, Opera Orlando enriches the Central Florida community year-round through its youth and educational programs.
Opera Orlando Youth Company
[edit]Aimed at those aged 8-18, the Opera Orlando Youth Company trains aspiring artists for a season, focusing on classical music, opera, and theatre. Workshops emphasize healthy vocal techniques, performance skills, and artistic creativity. Those in the youth company can also become involved in MainStage productions. This company was showcased in the 2023/24 staging of The Juniper Tree.
Studio Artists
[edit]The Studio Artists program is designed for post-graduate singers, ages 24+. This program gives accepted auditionees the chance to gain performance experience by covering Mainstage roles, working alongside guest artists in masterclass settings, and receiving multi-faceted training. This program engages with the Central Florida community through outreach events.
Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers
[edit]In 2020, Opera Orlando began their Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers program. This 6-day summer intensive is for high school and undergraduate college students, ages 15 to 20.
During this time, typically in late July, students are instructed directly by Opera Orlando staff and artists. Participants receive coaching on individual repertoire, attend opera-specific masterclasses, and discuss what a career in opera entails, such as earning a music degree. Students are informed about both artistic and business matters. Classes include resume-building, participants have the opportunity to take headshots and perform in a recorded showcase concert that may be added to their portfolio.
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Community Efforts
[edit]Opera Orlando gives back to the community through in-school opera previews, masterclasses with company artists, and invitations to dress rehearsals for MainStage productions.
In-school opera previews engage students by familiarizing them with one of the season's mainstage productions and facilitating discussions with Studio Artists. Lesson plans are provided to teachers as additional educational material. Uniquely, invited Studio Artists perform an abridged program in the classroom.
During a masterclass, teaching artists visit schools and work with singers in a masterclass setting, helping to prepare students for solos, ensemble positions, or Thespian competitions.
Schools that register will receive an invitation for students to attend one of the season's final dress rehearsals.
Education programs and the Opera Orlando Youth Company are supported by the City of Orlando.
Special events include The Mozart Dinner at Steinmetz Hall. This is an annual fundraiser with a three-course dinner, drinks, and a musical program.
Seasons
[edit]Productions take place on the MainStage at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Opera on the Town performances are staged throughout Central Florida.
| Year | Production | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | Impresario/Les Mamelles de Tirésias | MainStage |
| 2016/17 | Don Pasquale | MainStage |
| 2016/17 | Amahl and the Night Visitors | MainStage |
| 2016/17 | Don Giovanni | MainStage |
| 2017/18 | La Bohème | MainStage |
| 2017/18 | Amahl and the Night Visitors | MainStage |
| 2017/18 | Cinderella | MainStage |
| 2017/18 | Campanion & Safe Word | On the Town |
| 2017/18 | Abduction | On the Town |
| 2017/18 | Noche de Zarzuela | On the Town |
| 2017/18 | Brundibar | On the Town |
| 2018/19 | Tales of Hoffmann | MainStage |
| 2018/19 | Hansel & Gretel | MainStage |
| 2018/19 | Pagliacci/Pulcinella | MainStage |
| 2018/19 | The Barber of Seville | On the Town |
| 2018/19 | Noye's Fludde | On the Town |
| 2018/19 | 6 of VIII | On the Town |
| 2019/20 | The Marriage of Figaro | MainStage |
| 2019/20 | All is Calm | MainStage |
| 2019/20 | The Daughter of the Regiment
(cancelled due to Covid-19) |
MainStage |
| 2019/20 | 6 of VIII | On the Town |
| 2019/20 | Amahl and the Night Visitors | On the Town |
| 2019/20 | The Girl of the Golden West | On the Town |
| 2019/20 | The Very Last Green Thing
(cancelled due to Covid-19) |
On the Town |
| 2020/21 | Die Fledermaus | MainStage |
| 2020/21 | Hansel & Gretel | MainStage |
| 2020/21 | Carmen | MainStage |
| 2020/21 | Death of Ivan Ilych | On the Town |
| 2020/21 | The Secret River (Piano Workshop) | On the Town |
| 2020/21 | As One | On the Town |
| 2021/22 | La Traviata | MainStage |
| 2021/22 | The Secret River (World Premiere) | MainStage |
| 2021/22 | Rigoletto | MainStage |
| 2021/22 | King for a Day | On the Town |
| 2021/22 | Lizbeth | On the Town |
| 2022/23 | The Magic Flute | MainStage |
| 2022/23 | All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 | MainStage |
| 2022/23 | The Daughter of the Regiment | MainStage |
| 2022/23 | The Marriage Contract & Gianni Schicchi | On the Town |
| 2022/23 | Baseball: A Musical Love Letter | On the Town |
| 2023/24 | Tosca | MainStage |
| 2023/24 | Frida | MainStage |
| 2023/24 | Lucia di Lammermoor | MainStage |
| 2023/24 | The Juniper Tree | MainStage |
| 2023/24 | Rusalka | On the Town |
| 2024/25 | Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín | MainStage |
| 2024/25 | Macbeth | MainStage |
| 2024/25 | Four Lost Santas/
Amahl and the Night Visitors |
MainStage |
| 2024/25 | Cendrillon | MainStage |
| 2024/25 | Beatrice + Benedict/
Cavalleria Rusticana |
MainStage |
| 2024/25 | Treemonisha | MainStage |
Reviews
[edit]- "Surrealistic, poetic… Frida hums with musical colors, visual appeal…” - Orlando Sentinel[3]
- “A beautiful production… succeeds at every level…” - PressReader[4]
- “The million-dollar revenue stream is especially significant, considering how quickly the figure was reached; Opera Orlando has only existed in its current form for four years.” - Central Florida Public Media[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Diaz, George (2022-11-04). "A Man on a Mission". Orlando Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Moyer, Matthew. "One Voice Orlando brings opera stars together to benefit Pulse victims". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Surrealist and poetic, 'Frida' hums with musical colors, visual appeal | Review". Orlando Sentinel. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Opera Orlando: Surpassing Expectations With Million-Dollar Revenue Stream". Central Florida Public Media. 2019-07-01. Retrieved 2024-09-14.