florida grand opera tosca

From the evening of its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 1918, Gianni Schicchi has always been the hit of Puccinis three-operaIl Trittico. There are many reasons Florida Grand Opera (FGO) has performed Puccinis Tosca almost a dozen times in 50 years, even featuring tenor Luciano Pavarotti in one of the roles in 1981. Your subscription amount may include a required Gabriella Molina was the child Gherardino, properly befuddled at the familys behavior. Secondary roles were equally well accounted for. She vividly projected Toscas agony at seeing her lover tortured in the second act. For seasoned opera lovers, this FGO double bill is a reminder that opera can bring a smile to the face as well as. with real water in it, she says. FGO's renowned Studio Artists round out the cast. Written By Michelle F. Solomon As Tosca, Toni Marie Palmertree makes her FGO debut. Friends of Chamber Music, Music of Haydn, Webern and Schumann. . Stage Director Elena Araoz, center, rehearses the cast of Florida Grand Operas El Matrimonio Secreto, from left, Erin Alford (Fidalma), Phillip Lopez (Geronimo), Catalina Cuervo (Elisetta), Vanessa Becerra (Carolina), and Michael Pandolfo (Count Robinson). DA: Yes, it is an original and brilliant production of the Grand Opera of Florida that we owe to the brilliant mind ofSusy Dennis, executive director of the company. He is the winner of the First Prize and the DonPlacido DomingoFerrer Prize of Zarzuela of Operalia 2018, The World Opera Competition, and finalist of the Belvedere and Queen Sonja International Music competitions. Scotto's New York-based manager, Robert Lombardo, said he was called by her family and informed of her death. We knew nothing about aviation/defense/electronics or manufacturing when we took over the company and most people insisted wed fail, he says. Renata Scotto, a soprano of uncommon intensity who became a successful director after her singing career, died Wednesday in her hometown of Savona, Italy. She has performed with many leading regional companies, including the Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Opera, Orlando Philharmonic and Ballet Florida. When that fails, they plot to kill him but Schicchi, once again, outsmarts them by impersonating Buosos ghost, causing the Donatis to flee in horror. As Scarpia, Todd Thomas brought a faux dignity with his verbal and tonal coloring skillfully mirroring the villains dark thoughts. Florida Grand Opera cast of El Matrimonio Secreto are, from left, Michael Pandolfo (Count Robinson), Ashley Shalna (Elisetta, Sunday matinee), Phillip Lopez (Geronimo), Vanessa Becerra (Catalina), Joseph McBrayer (Paolino), Erin Alford (Fidalma), Page Michels (Carolina, Sunday matinee). Admission is free, but please register for tickets! Opera expert and broadcaster Fred Plotkin, author of the popular Operavore blog, invitedFlorida Grand Opera CEO and General Director Susan T. Danis to join the ranks of his star-studded galaxy of guests. Oddly enough, I believe that people are afraid to go to the opera and laugh even when they are supposed to. New World Symphony/Jeannette Sorrell. Hailed by Opera News as "a formidable talent," Buchman is known as an innovator. In 1990, Laurans, Victor and Victors brother, Eric, who is HEICOs other Co-President, became HEICOs largest shareholders and took over management. In many ways, both seemed unlikely undertakings. Florida Grand Opera: Tosca - AllEvents.in I chose the violin and my sisters piano. 1 2 3 >. He plans to return to Virginia for Tosca at Charlottesville Opera this summer. Prices vary depending on performance. It is one of those glass blocks pools from the era . Toscas part in the Act I love duet was pallid. You have entered an incorrect email address! Operatic activity continued in the following centuries with the support ofMaximilian I, the creation of the National Music Conservatory and the Palace of Fine Arts. She hopes audiences that wouldnt usually put attending an opera at the top of their entertainment to-do list think differently because of the modernity of this production. On the other hand, the university does not prepare enough, a comprehensive operatic education is needed. Higdons work is a tantalizing amalgam of jazz, classical Americana and minimalism that utilizes vibraphone and marimba as melodic instruments as well as a battle royal between two sets of timpani. Center, seated: Robynne Redmon (Zita), Anthony Reed (Simone). Some of the young artists Cardone has presented have gone on to enjoy international careers, singing at the Met and other major houses. Photo: FGO. The opening night audience cheered cast, conductor, director and production team vociferously. Playing Mario Cavaradossi is Arturo Chacn-Cruz. Sea Drift by Samuel Coleridge Taylor was the concerts sleeper, a veritable tone painting in layered building blocks of vocal subtleties, dynamics and shadings. When Schicchi is about to stalk off, having just been insulted by the Donatis, it is Lauretta who convinces him to look at the will, which sets his plot in motion, Michels noted. Note: As in the past, Florida /Grand Opera hosts a free half-hour talk one hour before curtain in which a knowledgeable staffer provides the background of the piece, its origin and context, a synopsis, and advice on what to listen for. His appearance in FGOsToscais his second turn as Cavaradossi. "There are comic operas, 'The Marriage of Figaro' for instance has charming funny bits, but it isn't laugh out loud funny. Scarpia proclaims that Cavaradossi assisted an escaped political prisoner and imprisons him in order to get his grips into Tosca. Single ticket sales will begin on September 5, 2023. Reaching the same quality that other countries with a long musical tradition have is a challenge. Complications abound, of course, with mistaken identities and plot twists in the quintessentialopera buffa. She was also recently featured in three new operas at the Glimmerglass Festival: as Reba (Taking up Serpents) Archangel Gabriel (Holy Ground, a world premiere) and Phoebe in an expanded version ofThe Passion of Mary Cardwell Dawson. "You know, it's a perennial subject, the mix of greed and family relations. The mainstage operas of the season include Domenico Cimarosas El matrimonio secreto, sung in Spanish translation (Nov. 12 15, 2022), Giacomo Puccinis Gianni Schicchi and Michael Chings Buosos Ghost (Jan. 28 Feb.11, 2023), Giacomo Puccinis Tosca (Mar. Renata Scotto, soprano of uncommon intensity, dies at 89 Todd Thomass portrayal of the villainous Scarpia was menacing and powerful, capturing the characters cruelty perfectly. The snobbish Donatis must employ the wily lawyer Gianni Schicchi for help, and he doesnt hesitate to help himself as well. I performed the role first in Germany in 1996, Thomas recalls. Discovering too late that Scarpia has double-crossed her and Cavaradossi is truly dead, Tosca escapes arrest. AB: Which of these three activities is the one that attracts you the most? Florida Grand Opera: Tosca at Broward Center for the Performing Arts on I started playing the violin, composing and then I directed because in our Latin American countries, many times you have to do everything to survive. Danis says shes thrilled about the entire cast and especially two singers in leading roles. An operatic event worthy of being shared in other lyrical theaters of the Hispanic musical world. Conductor Gregory Buchalters interpretation of Puccinis score was masterful, balancing the dramatic intensity of the story with the musical beauty of the score. Subscribe to our 2013-2014 Season! - Florida Grand Opera And every cast member seemed to relish the mayhem. By Artburst Miami March 17, 2023 Todd Thomas in his Florida Grand Opera debut as Scarpia in 2014.. Florida Grand Opera | Greater Miami & Miami Beach For seasoned opera lovers, this FGO double bill is a reminder that opera can bring a smile to the face as well as excitement to the senses. Florida Grand Opera Michael Tilson Thomas/Cleveland Orchestra. 20, 2021 for BroadwayWorld.com. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Promote your business to the localized audience you want to reach with Miami's Community Newspapers. For the moment, however, Zhous attention is on a full-scale dual production that will occupy venues seating 2,400 people (Arsht) and 2,700 people (The Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au-Rene Theater). Look at my titles: Congofonia, Espacio Ritual, Sarandunga, which is a dance from the south of the country. More than half a century later, this work by Giacomo Puccini, the last of hisTrittico,has come to the stage of the Ziff Opera House in Miami . Words // Zelda Grant | March 28, 2023 |People. It then plays the Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale, in April. ArtburstMiami.com 530 following. AB: What model do you have as an orchestra musical director that you have followed or that his style attracts you? She stands at the forefront of the late Buoso's cohort of relatives (Phillip Lpezas Betto,Anthony Reedas Simone,Eleomar Cuelloas Marco andErin Alfordas La Ciesca, among others) who acted as a homogeneous group at certain times and as individuals. Other critically acclaimed leading roles include Violetta in La traviata, Nedda in I pagliacci, and Margherita in Mefistofele. He returns in the role for the companys 81st season production of. Michael Tilson Thomas/Cleveland Orchestra, Music of Chopin, Schumann, Rawsthorne and Hough. She is joined by South Florida resident, the immensely popular Mexican tenor Arturo Chacn-Cruz, as Cavaradossi. In addition to FGO, The Mendelsons also proudly support Achieve Miami, AJC, Baptist Health, Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade, Everglades Foundation, Greater Miami Jewish Federation, Miami Waterkeeper, Lehrman Community Day School, Mt. Scarpia proclaims that Cavaradossi assisted an escaped political prisoner and imprisons him in order to get his grips into Tosca. ", Ching says he enjoys the collaborative process of opera and welcomes ideas from directors and actors, but "one of the things that I did request was that I wanted thepairing done in a traditional Florentine setting in the Middle Ages and they honored that. Florida Grand Opera 3.7 (6 reviews) Claimed Performing Arts, Opera & Ballet Open 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM See hours See all 32 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours Suggest an edit 8390 NW 25th St Miami, FL 33122 Get directions Coral Castle 296 305.340.2026 The opening scene, as the Buoso relatives scavenge the house and turn it upside down to find the will between fake tears, drew much laughter from the audience. "I've loved singing and math since I was a little girl. Jeannette Sorrell, founder and artistic director of the Cleveland- based Apollos Fire, combines the best aspects of musicological scholarship with a modernist sensibility. Magnificent work also carried out by the tenorCharles Calotta, giving life to a enamored Rinuccio, with excellent vocal means and a very careful singing line. Giacomo Puccini used French playwright Victorien Sardous La Tosca, as the source for his opera Tosca. Sardou had written his play in 1887 as a star vehicle for famous actress Sarah Bernhardt. s stage director Jeffery Marc Buchman. I conducted the chorus and coached singers that's how I came up. All the costumes and scenery were adapted to the epoch. I was also in my beginnings at the Teatro Real, in 2005, when I sang in the final of the Operalia Competition. World-famous soprano and master teacher receives the Founder's Award. The third in this love triangle was the baritone Todd Thomas, who played an evil Baron Scarpia, a sinister presence since his first appearance on stage. In the pit, the maestroDarwin Aquino, linked to the Florida Grand Opera for several seasons as assistant conductor, directed the house orchestra with resolution, respect for the voices and generous gestures. Tickets are available for $100 per person. As part of its Made for Miami series, the setting is now 1980s Miami Beach and Geronimo is the proprietor of Hotel Paraiso, an Art Deco hotel. Having the opportunity to be part of what he calls a cast thats talent across the board, to sing with a full orchestra and in large concert halls such as the Adrienne Arsht Centers Ziff Ballet Opera House and Broward Center for the Performing Arts Au-Rene Theater makes a difference, too, he says. I was looking at my (musical) score the other day, and it says 1993, so its been in my library for a while., Hes no stranger to Florida Grand Opera, including appearing as Scarpia in his FGO debut in Tosca in 2014, and that same year in Madama Butterfly. In 2017, he returned to FGO to perform in Verdis A Masked Ball and last season sang the title role in the opera companys Rigoletto., Todd Thomas as Scarpia in the 2014 production of Florida Grand Operas Tosca with soprano Kara Shay Thompson. But Sardou disliked Puccinis music and wanted it to be assigned to a better-known composer, and preferably a French one, says Cindy Sadler, a professional mezzo-soprano opera singer and the marketing-communications manager at FGO. User Upload Caption: Luciano Pavarotti in Florida Grand Operas production of Tosca in 1981 as Cavaradossi. Her middle register projected poorly, and her phrasing lacked variety of nuance. Rossini's The Barber Of Seville. November 15, 2022. Its arrival here withGianni Schicchiis also something of a homecoming: Ching worked at FGO in the 1980s as an assistant to the companys then-director, Willie Anthony Waters, when it was called Greater Miami Opera. The love that could save her life is threatened by the demands of a furious father who insists on a devastating sacrifice. In the photo (left to right), Victor Kendall, FGO Chief Advancement Officer. theyll be on the edge of their seats. Friends of Chamber Music. Monday. It is, in effect, a version not suitable for purists of the genre, starting with the language in which it is sung. South Florida audiences anticipate a thrilling mix of debuts, favorites, international and rising stars. . As Floridas premier opera company, it presents standard repertoire, contemporary works, new commissions, and original productions all featuring projected translations in English and Spanish. For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. ", Tenor and FGO Development Associate Peter Rivera discovered his passion for opera in his hometown of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Dellaira and librettist J.D. I really admire this approach by FGO to serve people within the community. He has also appeared as a featured soloist with Cantus Columbus (GA) and the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, where he performed the Dvorak Te deum and the bass solo in Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, and he is featured on The Lady Composer, a CD of songs by West End composer Madeleine Dring. Everyone was under duress, on both sides of the proscenium. The Florida Singing Sons boychoir (under Daniel Bates and Malcolm Rogers) provided fresh voices and high spirits for the Act I finale, joining the FGO chorus (under Jared Peroune) in a vigorous and unified, well coordinated effort that rang the house. Mahler: Symphony No. It was wonderful! . Gerardo Kleinburg. To me, its everything that people think opera should be: It has a villain, great romance, revenge, its epic with a big chorus, period costumes, and gorgeous sets, and lush, sweeping music that, while it may not be in commercials, audiences will recognize it, says Susan T. Danis, FGOs general director and chief executive officer, who adds that FGO first presented Tosca in 1950. In the garrets of Paris 19th century Latin Quarter, a crazy cadre of starving artists, young friends and lovers live, love, make art, and make their marks as Puccinis divinely romantic score memorably illustrates the joys, struggles, loves, quarrels, triumphs, and tragedies of the true vie de bohme. = I think that opera has a reputation of being stodgy or stuck up and this will quell that notion. 2023-04-15 19:30 - Florida Grand Opera: Tosca-3 Hes also worked with director Jeffrey Marc Buchman before, who was previously a professional operatic baritone. United Airlines pilot caught on surveillance video taking an axe to a parking gate at DIA, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 9 Elaine Rinaldi/Orchestra Miami. Florida Grand Opera - PRESS ROOM Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. She spoke with these women and it really did change the direction in which she decided to take the opera, Danis says. His duets with Palmertree were excellent. 3. Please reload the CAPTCHA. Thomas, a baritone, has played Scarpia for decades, a role that has the reputation of being the evilest villain from an opera ever. His efforts and their result enabled all of the large-scale development in the neighborbood that has followed since 1982. Join our dynamic Studio Artists for three themed concerts designed to delight with selections from the operatic canon and beyond. She brings a playful charm to her initial scene with Cavaradossi but her fiery temperament can flair to jealousy with conviction. The stage direction would also be responsible for a certain overacting on the part of the baritoneMichael Pandolfoin his role as Count Robinson, characterized here as a young and handsome rich American who makes his entrance on stage in a convertible and later has no qualms about showing his good physical shape by doing push-ups on stage, which were chanted by the audience. RIGHT: The Donati family rejoices as Schicchi (Franco Pomponi, center) reveals his brilliant plan. (Not likely.) Chacn-Cruz is fluent in in Spanish, English, Italian, and French and also speaks German, Portuguese, Russian, and Greek. Thomas reveals that in a recent production of Tosca, where he was performing Scarpia, the director chose to heighten the violence. Calling it one of his dream roles, he said, I am having a ball playing the part. He graduated from Columbia University at a time when immigrants like him were rarely admitted to the school and every one of his descendants has since graduated from there. MOVIES: Ira Sachs' "Passages" is getting much attention for its director's not accepting the MPAA's NC-17 rating, but the film stands alone on its many merits. She also appeared with FGO many times, undertaking leading roles in La traviata, I pagliacci, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, and many others. Tickets are available atfgo.orgor by calling 800.741.1010. The opening night performance of Tosca at the Adrienne Arsht Center on March 18th was a stunning production, led by an outstanding cast and creative team.Florida Grand Opera's production is a timeless tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal.Set in 19th-century Rome during the Napoleonic Wars, Tosca follows its titular character who is torn from her love for Mario . These extraordinary young singers will represent FGO on the mainstage, in touring childrens productions, and a series of performances throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. His busy international career includes recent appearances as Tamino (The Magic Flute) at Wiener Staatsoper, Opra National de Paris and Dresden Semperoper, the Verdi Requiem with Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias, and Lensky (Eugene Onegin) at Teatro Massimo di Palermo. Last Summer at Bluefish Cove The Foundry, Actors' Playhouse 'Hank Williams' Rehearsal, Creativity Runs Wild In Off-Kilter 'Popcorn Frights' Selections, 23-Day International Ballet Festival of Miami Comes To a Close, Outdoor Film Festival Shows Movies Under the Stars, Ballet Flamenco La Rosa Turns Tennessee Williams Work Into Fiery Dance, Review: Area Stage. FGO is so fortunate to have six outstanding professional singers on our administrative team. ); 29-May 20. Find tickets for Florida Grand Opera, Tosca in Miami, FL at Ziff Opera House At The Adrienne Arsht Center on Sunday, March 19, 2023. The professional chamber choir Seraphic Fire began as a church choir in South Miami, Under the brilliant direction of Patrick Quigley, the group has been nominated for Grammy Awards and toured widely. The piece premiered at Memphis Opera on Jan. 25, 1997. These young singers will represent FGO on the mainstage, in touring childrens productions, and a series of performances throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Second-year Studio ArtistJoseph McBrayerreturns to sing Gastone in season openerLa traviataand Beppe inI pagliacci. A graduate of the Jacobs School of Music (Indiana University Bloomington) and Florida State University, he has occasionally filled in on FGO Studio Artist concerts. Admission is free, but please register for tickets! Tenor Joseph McBrayer returns as Gaston, after his FGO debut season as Paolino in El matrimonio secreto and Gherardo in Gianni Schicchi and Buoso's Ghost. Acclaimed by Opera News for his "excellent comic timing," and "domineering baritone, gleaming like polished copper," Mellon has recently appeared as Marcello in La bohme with Pensacola Opera, Tonio in I pagliacci with Opera Tampa, Figaro in La nozze di Figaro with Syracuse and Tri-Cities Operas, and George in Of Mice and Men with Livermore Valley Opera. Giacomo Puccini used French playwright Victorien Sardous La Tosca, as the source for his opera. The musical auditions took me to Mexico City and my career developed and I dedicated myself fully to singing. What is your favorite character, the opera role you would like to sing or have you already sung? "If you allow it, the universe will always take you where you need to be," Diaz says. A scene from Florida Grand Opera's production of Tosca, 2023. With velvety as well as powerful playing, Bronfmans dazzling keyboard technique, artistry and patrician musicality remain pristine after more than four decades on the worlds concert stages. There is a full-size orchestra in the pit, between 50 and 60 musicians, and the person conducting the orchestra [Gregory Buchalter] has been with the Metropolitan Opera for 30 years, he says. In the 1950s, his great-grandmother, Lillian Brown, was a frequent visitor to Miami and the family enjoyed opera in their then-native New York. Todd Thomas (Scarpia) in the 'Te Deum' scene Daniel Azoulay. In the last decade, Ms. Soviero has dedicated herself to teaching singers. Development Office: (305) 854-1643 · Fax: (305) 856-1042, Sanford and Dolores Florida Grand Operas, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Never seen an opera? Thomas says performing Tosca with FGO is the place hell get to flex his opera muscles. Hes also worked with director Jeffrey Marc Buchman before, who was previously a professional operatic baritone. All Rights Reserved. Tosca Returns to FGO With Veteran Scarpia Todd Thomas Closing out the season isGiacomo Puccini's La bohme. Figaro, Figaro, FI-GA-RO! Among the supporting roles, it is worth mentioning the magnificent Sacristan played byNeil Nelson, an outstandingCharles Calottain the role of Spoletta and a more than correctPhillip Lpezin the double role of Angelotti/Jailer. As the face of opera in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Studio Artists spend the full season performing principal and comprimario roles alongside FGOs roster of acclaimed directors, conductors, and musicians. ". Conceptual modernization, new staging, displacement of the opera to non-traditional places, various demands on singers, mobility of talents and directors on a global level. csadler@fgo.org Pomponi described Schicchi as a crafty practical joker sharper than anybody else in the room, a universal figure and a big, warm-hearted guy. Its his first time in the title role.