2014 has officially come to a close, and what a year it has been! This year we have performed a record-setting number of outreach and educational events in addition to our mainstage offerings, and we'd like to thank you for your support and enthusiasm of Florida Grand Opera.
With so many events to reflect upon, we'd like to share a few of our favorites with you. Here our "Sensational Six" list of highlights from 2014 in chronological order. We hope they will bring back fond memories
With so many events to reflect upon, we'd like to share a few of our favorites with you. Here our "Sensational Six" list of highlights from 2014 in chronological order. We hope they will bring back fond memories
Highlights of 2014:
(1) No Exit
 |
| Caitlin McKechney, Riley Svatos, and Casey Finnigan in FGO's No Exit |
Our FGO Young Artists were undaunted by the challenging music and gave three riveting performances to three highly-enthusiastic (not to mention, sold-out) crowds!
Here's what the critics had to say:
- "FGO has taken a huge risk with this production and it succeeds in more ways than one. They are bringing opera to a new and younger generation... I can say unequivocally that this is one of the best productions I have seen in a long time." (Shot Glass Review)
- "This production of No Exit is a must see for all interested in opera’s future." (South Florida Classical Review)
- "...perfect for the space and absolutely worked." (Operagasm)
You can enjoy the entire performance here.
(2) Nabucco
 |
| Dario Solari and Maria Guleghina in FGO's Nabucco |
This exciting opera that just received an honorable mention by South Florida Classical Review for one of the best events in 2014. Russian soprano Maria Guleghina impressed attendees with her passionate performances of Abigaille's difficult arias. Additionally our audience members got to enjoy the timeless "Va pensiero."
The chorus and orchestra alike received impressive accolades, and our cast delivered a moving and powerful performance. Definitely a run to remember!
(3) Student Dress Rehearsals
Each season, Florida Grand Opera opens its doors to local middle and high school students to attend the final dress rehearsal of each production at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Students get to enjoy the entire performance of the opera free of charge, and they even receive the opportunity to ask the crew questions between acts.
These dress rehearsals are funded by an anonymous FGO donor and have become a highly-anticipated field trip among MDC schools. Miami-Dade County School District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho even spoke at the final dress rehearsal of the season, recognizing FGO for their community outreach efforts.
Another highlight of the program includes Florida Grand Opera's recent partnership with United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida, which allows UCP residents to attend FGO's dress rehearsals for free throughout the season.
FGO is proud to announce that demand for this program has risen so high that student bussing and ticket allocations have risen from 1,200 to a record-setting 2,000 per dress rehearsal throughout the 2014–15 Season.
(4) Opera in Hialeah
 |
| FGO's 2014–15 Young Artists |
On Saturday, November 1, 2014, members of Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Program performed ¡Ópera Viva, Viva Ópera!, a Spanish-language concert for residents at Hialeah’s Milander Center for Arts and Entertainment. This free concert attracted an audience of over 450.
The Mayor of Hialeah, Carlos Hernandez, opened the evening by presenting Susan T. Danis, Florida Grand Opera’s General Director and CEO, with a certificate of appreciation for the opera company’s increased efforts to bring the fine arts to the streets of the culturally-diverse city.
In addition, FGO's Education and Community Outreach programs have increased the number of activities held in this thriving city. Throughout the year, FGO's "Opera Lab" program, described as a "laboratory of learning through opera," will continue to work with Hialeah High School and Westland Hialeah High School.
Currently scheduled activities for 2015 include another Spanish-language concert, educational performances in public libraries, Random Acts of Opera, and FGO’s participation in Hialeah’s pre-existing community events. For more information, please click here.
(5) FGO Announces Town Hall Meetings / "Say YES! to Opera, South Florida" Campaign Launch
 |
| Susan T. Danis and OPERA America President, Marc A. Scorca |
Throughout November 2014 Florida Grand Opera hosted several Town Hall meetings, which explained the Opera’s current financial situation, outlined the organization’s new Strategic Plan, and announced the launch of the “Say YES! to Opera, South Florida” Campaign: a three-year, $17.5 million Comprehensive Campaign to fund the Plan.
The funds raised through this campaign will go towards rebuilding the Opera's endowment and implementing a plan to transform the Opera into an organization with broader public support and closer connections to the community.
Since those meetings, FGO has been engaging in frequent community outreach projects and events in order to boost public knowledge of the company’s fundraising needs. In addition, members of FGO’s administrative staff have been regularly meeting with key stakeholders and community members to discuss ways the community can get involved in ensuring the future of the Opera.
If you would like to "Say YES! to Opera" in South Florida and contribute to the campaign today, please fill out a pledge form, which can be found here.
For more information, please contact Senior Giving Officer Max Kellogg at 305.403.3289.
To read more information about the campaign, please check out the following articles:
From November 15 through December 6, Florida Grand Opera was proud to open its 2014–15 Season with Puccini's famous Madama Butterfly. What a way to kick off a new season!
As one of our most successful mainstage productions in recent years, Butterfly received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike!
We'd like to thank The Opera Critic, which was kind enough to archive all of the glowing articles about us! Click here to check out some of our rave reviews.
Since its inception in 1984, Florida Grand Opera's Young Artist Program has gained worldwide recognition as one of the leading operatic training programs in the United States. That being said: never has there been a more impressive group of Young Artists than those in our 2013–14 Season.
As mentioned at the top of this article, we hosted a record-setting number of community outreach events this past season. We would not have been able to accomplish all that we had if it were not for this incredibly talented and enthusiastic group of young singers.
Their final concert, which was held on May 9 at the Coral Gables Museum, was the perfect way to end such a successful season. Needless to say we were sad to see them go!
From March 29 through April 12, Florida Grand Opera was proud to revive this Puccini favorite. Described by many as "dramatic and powerful," FGO was particularly thrilled to present Tosca with such a fantastic lineup of singers. With Kara Shay Thomson as Tosca, Rafael Davila as Cavadarossi, and Todd Thomas as Sharpless; this was quite literally our "dream cast." Critics and audiences alike were blown-away by the passion and quality presented on stage!
This production also received honorable mention by South Florida Classical Review for one of the best events in 2014.
The funds raised through this campaign will go towards rebuilding the Opera's endowment and implementing a plan to transform the Opera into an organization with broader public support and closer connections to the community.
Since those meetings, FGO has been engaging in frequent community outreach projects and events in order to boost public knowledge of the company’s fundraising needs. In addition, members of FGO’s administrative staff have been regularly meeting with key stakeholders and community members to discuss ways the community can get involved in ensuring the future of the Opera.
If you would like to "Say YES! to Opera" in South Florida and contribute to the campaign today, please fill out a pledge form, which can be found here.
For more information, please contact Senior Giving Officer Max Kellogg at 305.403.3289.
To read more information about the campaign, please check out the following articles:
- Letter from our General Director and CEO, Susan T. Danis
- South Florida Classical Review
- The Miami Herald
- WLRN Radio
- The Knight Foundation
(6) Madama Butterfly
.JPG) |
| Martin Nusspaumer and Kelly Kaduce in FGO's Madama Butterfly |
As one of our most successful mainstage productions in recent years, Butterfly received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike!
We'd like to thank The Opera Critic, which was kind enough to archive all of the glowing articles about us! Click here to check out some of our rave reviews.
Other accomplishments we are proud of:
The Entire 2013–14 Young Artist Class
 |
| Florida Grand Opera's 2013–14 Young Artists and Coaches |
As mentioned at the top of this article, we hosted a record-setting number of community outreach events this past season. We would not have been able to accomplish all that we had if it were not for this incredibly talented and enthusiastic group of young singers.
Their final concert, which was held on May 9 at the Coral Gables Museum, was the perfect way to end such a successful season. Needless to say we were sad to see them go!
The Mice Wars with Orchestra Miami
 |
| Carlton Ford and Raehann Bryce-Davis in The Mice Wars Photo: Miami Herald |
Throughout the 2013–14 Season, Florida Grand Opera Young Artists partnered with Orchestra Miami to perform the children's opera The Mice Wars by David Chesky. Although there were several public presentations of Mice Wars, one of the most gratifying parts of the run was being able to perform this opera at some highly unserved schools.
Crescendo Event at PM Fish and Steakhouse
 |
| Martin Nusspaumer, Tom Lehman, Riley Svatos, Carlton Ford, Casey Finnigan |
On March 18th, Florida Grand Opera was happy to collaborate with its affiliate group, Crescendo Circle, to host a musical networking hour in Brickell. There were an incredible number of young professionals in attendance, and everyone had a great time enjoying fine wine, tasty appetizers, and beautiful musical selections.
Mainly Mozart
On Sunday, May 4 at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, five of Florida Grand Opera's Young Artists performed a spectacularly curated program at the Mainly Mozart Festival.
Thaïs
 |
| Martin Nusspaumer as Nicias, Eglise Gutiérez as Thaïs, and Kris Irmiter as Äthanael |
Our 2013–14 Season closed with Jules Massenet's exotic Thaïs, from May 3-17. Famous in operatic circles for their innovative and dazzling stagings, the Montreal-based duo of Andre Barbe and Renaud Doucet brought their take on the story of a monk trying to convert a courtesan to Christianity in fourth century Egypt during the rise of the Byzantine Empire. Audiences could not stop talking about the beautiful sets, costumes, and music they enjoyed throughout the evening!
Additionally South Florida audiences were thrilled as hometown favorite Eglise Gutiérrez returned to FGO's mainstage as the fated courtesan.
Tosca
 |
| Rafael Davila as Cavadarossi, Kara Shay Thomson as Tosca |
This production also received honorable mention by South Florida Classical Review for one of the best events in 2014.
What we can look forward to in 2015:
(1) Così fan tutte and The Pearl Fishers
Così fan tutte: Experience FGO’s newly-revamped production of this Mozart favorite. Adultery, disguised lovers, and a risqué bet: Così fan tutte is the Dangerous Liaisons of the opera repertoire, as it frankly observes the frailty of human relationships through the lens of comedy.
This Florida Grand Opera original production, which was last performed in 2008, will be given new life thanks to the efforts of the FGO production staff. Director Bernard Uzan, along with the FGO creative team, will be infusing the opera with a new vision, thus updating and adding credibility to this absurd yet classic opera to make it relevant to modern, South Florida audiences. In addition, new costumes and props have been added to further enhance this innovative interpretation.
 |
| Sarasota Opera's The Pearl Fishers. Photo: Deb Hesser |
Two lifelong friends, Nadir and Zurga, survived a test when they fell in love with the same woman, Leïla. They vowed never to let their love for a woman destroy their friendship. Years later, when Leïla—a ravishing temple virgin—returns to bless their village, Nadir breaks the vow and professes his love to Leïla. The lovers are discovered and presented for justice to the village leader, Zurga. Enraged, he sentences them to death. In a twist of fate, Zurga realizes that Leïla was the mysterious child who once saved his life, and he is faced with a terrible dilemma: Carry out a death sentence on two people he loves, or destroy his way of life.
Full of rousing choruses and exotic music, The Pearl Fishers will transport you to a fantastical land with drama that resonates through the ages. Conductor Anthony Barrese will make his FGO debut conducting the Florida Grand Opera orchestra for this romantic masterpiece.
(2) Loose, Wet, Perforated
Guerilla Opera's Loose, Wet, Perforated. Photo: Julia Noulin-Merat
Florida Grand Opera's 2015 installment of "Unexpected Operas in Unexpected Places" is Nicholas Vines' Loose, Wet, Perforated—a contemporary version of a medieval morality play. The performance rights to this opera were generously donated by the composer.
For a full synopsis, please click here.
Dates and Location To Be Announced
(3) Community Outreach Events
 |
| Photo: Brittany Mazzurco for Florida Grand Opera |
- Opera in Hialeah Events
- Read Along, Sing a Song
- FGO Young Artist Events
(Note: dates and times will be posted on our calendar as tickets become available) - Opera Preview Events
(Note: dates and times will be posted on our calendar as tickets become available)
(4) The Consul
 |
| Seattle Opera's production of The Consul. Photo: Tim Fuller |
The opera tells the tale of a devoted wife who collides with the bureaucracy of a police state while trying to obtain an exit visa for her family. The suspenseful opera will surprise you with several magical touches and a melodic score in which love, hope, and redemption all play their part.
...the company will close in May with one of the finest of all American operas. Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Consul won a Pulitzer Prize in 1950, and, with its themes of government surveillance and political dissidents attempting to escape an authoritarian regime, Menotti’s Cold War drama seems more relevant than ever — and a tale with special resonance for many emigre South Florida residents. (The Miami Herald)
Don’t miss this riveting Florida Grand Opera premiere and see why it ran for eight months on Broadway!
(5) Say YES! to Opera's conclusion
FGO has been engaging in frequent community outreach projects and events in order to boost public knowledge of the company’s fundraising needs. In addition, members of FGO’s administrative staff have been regularly meeting with key stakeholders and community members to discuss ways the community can get involved in ensuring the future of the Opera.2015 is sure to promise more community events to help ensure the future of opera in South Florida. Stay tuned for future announcements regarding upcoming events and campaign updates.
If you would like to "Say YES! to Opera" in South Florida and contribute to the campaign today, please fill out a pledge form, which can be found here.
All of us at Florida Grand Opera would like to thank you for making 2014 such a fantastic year. We're looking forward to celebrating another year of opera with you all.
Happy New Year!
No comments:
Post a Comment