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Press Releases
Opera Tampa Announces 2010-2011 season
Tampa, Fla. - Opera Tampa’s 2010-2011 season is certain to exhilarate every opera buff and fascinate any curious newcomer. Composers Verdi and Lehar, among others, will be showcased in a season of passion, romance and opulence. The season also includes a vocal arts festival, a gala concert featuring stars of opera and the presentation of the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award to world-renowned opera superstar Plácido Domingo. It’s a grand season of opera not to be missed at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center).
“We’ve put together another remarkable opera series,” said Straz Center President Judy Lisi. The Opera Tampa artistic team – which includes Lisi, Conductor Anton Coppola, Vice President/Associate General Director Maria Zouves and Artistic Advisor Sherrill Milnes – has “designed an entertaining, compelling and stimulating season that our impassioned opera-going audiences here in the Tampa Bay area are certain to embrace.”
The 2010-2011 Opera Tampa season includes:
Franz Lehar’s
The Merry Widow
Nov. 12, 13 and 14, 2010
Ferguson Hall
Often called “The Queen of Operettas,” The Merry Widow is certainly the most celebrated and successful show of its kind. Franz Lehar’s opera receives an updated approach by Opera Tampa’s own Maestro Anton Coppola in this new adaptation. The plot focuses on the rich and newly widowed Hanna Glawari and Barron Zeta’s hope that he can keep Hanna (and her millions) in his bankrupt country. Soprano Rochelle Bard (La Rondine) returns to Opera Tampa as Hanna. Sung in English, The Merry Widow features Coppola conducting an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
“A Night of Stars”– a special orchestra concert
Feb. 24, 2011
Carol Morsani Hall
Opera Tampa stars, special guests and the rising stars of Opera Tampa come together with Maestro Coppola, the Opera Tampa Chorus and the Opera Tampa Orchestra to celebrate beautiful music and great singing in an exciting evening of the most beloved operatic arias and ensembles.
Opera Tampa Gala and the presentation of the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award
Feb. 24, 2011
Ferguson Hall
Following the “A Night of Stars” concert, the Opera Tampa League hosts the Opera Tampa Gala. This signature fundraising event is an opportunity for opera lovers to celebrate Opera Tampa and the music they adore. The sumptuous post-concert dinner will be held on the stage of Ferguson Hall.
The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award to Plácido Domingo.
In honor of composer-conductor Anton Coppola, the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award is given to an artist in celebration of his/her contributions to Opera Tampa and the music world at large. Recipients are chosen based on their extraordinary efforts to build and maintain the operatic art form.
Arguably the most famous opera singer alive, Domingo comes to Tampa to be honored with the third annual Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award. A beloved colleague of Milnes and Coppola, this tenor, conductor, producer and impresario is a worthy recipient in this growing tradition that includes previous honorees soprano Renata Scotto and composer Carlisle Floyd.
Giuseppe Verdi’s
La Traviata
April 29 and May 1, 2011
Carol Morsani Hall
One of the most popular and tragic operas, La Traviata tells the story of Violetta, a courtesan in Paris who has recently overcome a severe illness. Alfredo has loved Violetta from afar, and when their romance becomes real, Alfredo’s father must end such an inappropriate relationship for the sake of his family’s reputation. Love overcomes, but not before Violetta succumbs to her illness.
Verdi’s three-act grand opera is the third most popular and produced opera according to Opera America. Only La Boheme and Madame Butterfly are produced more frequently. Opera Tampa favorite Elizabeth de Trejo (Romeo and Juliet, Lucia di Lammermoor) returns as the tragic heroine Violetta. Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage, La Traviata features Coppola conducting an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
Vocal Arts Festival
· Generation X
When young singers find their path in singing, they need a place to go to explore, evaluate and absorb what is truly the highest level of music. Singers, ages 15 to 20, will be chosen from around the country for this pre-professional intensive featuring faculty from Julliard, Manhattan School of Music and the Metropolitan Opera which will take place July 31-Aug. 6, 2010.
· V.O.I.C.Experience
Milnes and Zouves founded V.O.I.C.Experience (VE) in 2001, with the aim to create a means for singers to advance in their careers, to give them access to the highest level of educators and to guide them in directions that will lead to their success. VE will take place at the Straz Center, Aug. 6-22, 2010. At the end of the program, five singers will be chosen to be the Opera Tampa New Artists and be part of Opera Tampa productions and educational events for the 2010-11 season.
· Sherrill Milnes & Friends
This intensive is for the career-seeking singer and includes the audition workshop “Mission: Audition.” Educators from around the globe converge, Aug. 6 – 22, 2010, for three weeks of high-level workshops, master classes and performances, presented by VE, culminating in a performance on Aug. 22.
· Patel Conservatory Vocal Arts Intensive Program
The Patel Conservatory Vocal Arts Intensive Program, for ages 11-18, will run Aug. 2-13, 2010. Students will study voice, theory and interpretation in classes with Patel Conservatory vocal teachers as well as with guest instructors. Students will have the opportunity to observe VE singers as they work with master teachers and will also have the opportunity to perform with VE singers in a showcase on Aug. 13.
· Total Interpretation
In this special workshop presented by VE, legendary director/producer Tito Capobianco (founder of the Julliard Opera Center) leads a group of specially selected singers through Puccini’s great master work, La Bohème - delving deeply into the characters and their motivation. Workshops, held Aug. 19-21, are open to a public audience and culminate in an Aug. 21 performance.
Etc.
Opera Tampa New Artists Program
With the 2010-2011 season, the Opera Tampa New Artists Program will continue its mission to serve the Tampa Bay community by educating audiences and communicating the beauty of opera. This fourth year of the program again will feature a select number of singers, chosen after a national search, to serve as ambassadors of opera and song for the Straz Center. Coppola, Zouves, Milnes and other internationally acclaimed artists will help these new artists with career development while educating the community and providing musical workshops, master classes and performances.
Prelude to the Operas®
In 2010-2011, Opera Tampa continues their wildly popular series Prelude to the Operas. These fun and accessible concerts have been created to enhance the Opera Tampa experience. Audiences learn about the background of the opera and the composer and the influence of these operas in today’s culture.
Master Class Series
Throughout the 2010-2011 season, Opera Tampa will host a series of master classes. These observational classes give audiences the opportunity to watch singers perform and be critiqued in an educational setting by world-renowned artists.
Season ticket packages are now on sale beginning at just $185.24. Those interested in purchasing season tickets should call the Straz Center Ticket Office at 813.229.STAR (7827) or outside the Tampa Bay area at 800.955.1045 or visit www.strazcenter.org for on-sale information. Straz Center members and Opera Tampa League members are given first priority for new season tickets. Current season ticket holders will receive renewal information during the last week of April and those renewals will be handled before new subscriptions are processed. Call 813.222.1036 or visit www.operatampa.org to learn more about donation opportunities. Group tickets and individual opera tickets will go on sale at a later date to be announced.
For more information about Opera Tampa and its upcoming events, please visit www.operatampa.org. Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.
“We’ve put together another remarkable opera series,” said Straz Center President Judy Lisi. The Opera Tampa artistic team – which includes Lisi, Conductor Anton Coppola, Vice President/Associate General Director Maria Zouves and Artistic Advisor Sherrill Milnes – has “designed an entertaining, compelling and stimulating season that our impassioned opera-going audiences here in the Tampa Bay area are certain to embrace.”
The 2010-2011 Opera Tampa season includes:
Franz Lehar’s
The Merry Widow
Nov. 12, 13 and 14, 2010
Ferguson Hall
Often called “The Queen of Operettas,” The Merry Widow is certainly the most celebrated and successful show of its kind. Franz Lehar’s opera receives an updated approach by Opera Tampa’s own Maestro Anton Coppola in this new adaptation. The plot focuses on the rich and newly widowed Hanna Glawari and Barron Zeta’s hope that he can keep Hanna (and her millions) in his bankrupt country. Soprano Rochelle Bard (La Rondine) returns to Opera Tampa as Hanna. Sung in English, The Merry Widow features Coppola conducting an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
“A Night of Stars”– a special orchestra concert
Feb. 24, 2011
Carol Morsani Hall
Opera Tampa stars, special guests and the rising stars of Opera Tampa come together with Maestro Coppola, the Opera Tampa Chorus and the Opera Tampa Orchestra to celebrate beautiful music and great singing in an exciting evening of the most beloved operatic arias and ensembles.
Opera Tampa Gala and the presentation of the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award
Feb. 24, 2011
Ferguson Hall
Following the “A Night of Stars” concert, the Opera Tampa League hosts the Opera Tampa Gala. This signature fundraising event is an opportunity for opera lovers to celebrate Opera Tampa and the music they adore. The sumptuous post-concert dinner will be held on the stage of Ferguson Hall.
The highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award to Plácido Domingo.
In honor of composer-conductor Anton Coppola, the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award is given to an artist in celebration of his/her contributions to Opera Tampa and the music world at large. Recipients are chosen based on their extraordinary efforts to build and maintain the operatic art form.
Arguably the most famous opera singer alive, Domingo comes to Tampa to be honored with the third annual Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award. A beloved colleague of Milnes and Coppola, this tenor, conductor, producer and impresario is a worthy recipient in this growing tradition that includes previous honorees soprano Renata Scotto and composer Carlisle Floyd.
Giuseppe Verdi’s
La Traviata
April 29 and May 1, 2011
Carol Morsani Hall
One of the most popular and tragic operas, La Traviata tells the story of Violetta, a courtesan in Paris who has recently overcome a severe illness. Alfredo has loved Violetta from afar, and when their romance becomes real, Alfredo’s father must end such an inappropriate relationship for the sake of his family’s reputation. Love overcomes, but not before Violetta succumbs to her illness.
Verdi’s three-act grand opera is the third most popular and produced opera according to Opera America. Only La Boheme and Madame Butterfly are produced more frequently. Opera Tampa favorite Elizabeth de Trejo (Romeo and Juliet, Lucia di Lammermoor) returns as the tragic heroine Violetta. Sung in Italian with English translations projected above the stage, La Traviata features Coppola conducting an international cast along with the Opera Tampa Orchestra and Chorus.
Vocal Arts Festival
· Generation X
When young singers find their path in singing, they need a place to go to explore, evaluate and absorb what is truly the highest level of music. Singers, ages 15 to 20, will be chosen from around the country for this pre-professional intensive featuring faculty from Julliard, Manhattan School of Music and the Metropolitan Opera which will take place July 31-Aug. 6, 2010.
· V.O.I.C.Experience
Milnes and Zouves founded V.O.I.C.Experience (VE) in 2001, with the aim to create a means for singers to advance in their careers, to give them access to the highest level of educators and to guide them in directions that will lead to their success. VE will take place at the Straz Center, Aug. 6-22, 2010. At the end of the program, five singers will be chosen to be the Opera Tampa New Artists and be part of Opera Tampa productions and educational events for the 2010-11 season.
· Sherrill Milnes & Friends
This intensive is for the career-seeking singer and includes the audition workshop “Mission: Audition.” Educators from around the globe converge, Aug. 6 – 22, 2010, for three weeks of high-level workshops, master classes and performances, presented by VE, culminating in a performance on Aug. 22.
· Patel Conservatory Vocal Arts Intensive Program
The Patel Conservatory Vocal Arts Intensive Program, for ages 11-18, will run Aug. 2-13, 2010. Students will study voice, theory and interpretation in classes with Patel Conservatory vocal teachers as well as with guest instructors. Students will have the opportunity to observe VE singers as they work with master teachers and will also have the opportunity to perform with VE singers in a showcase on Aug. 13.
· Total Interpretation
In this special workshop presented by VE, legendary director/producer Tito Capobianco (founder of the Julliard Opera Center) leads a group of specially selected singers through Puccini’s great master work, La Bohème - delving deeply into the characters and their motivation. Workshops, held Aug. 19-21, are open to a public audience and culminate in an Aug. 21 performance.
Etc.
Opera Tampa New Artists Program
With the 2010-2011 season, the Opera Tampa New Artists Program will continue its mission to serve the Tampa Bay community by educating audiences and communicating the beauty of opera. This fourth year of the program again will feature a select number of singers, chosen after a national search, to serve as ambassadors of opera and song for the Straz Center. Coppola, Zouves, Milnes and other internationally acclaimed artists will help these new artists with career development while educating the community and providing musical workshops, master classes and performances.
Prelude to the Operas®
In 2010-2011, Opera Tampa continues their wildly popular series Prelude to the Operas. These fun and accessible concerts have been created to enhance the Opera Tampa experience. Audiences learn about the background of the opera and the composer and the influence of these operas in today’s culture.
Master Class Series
Throughout the 2010-2011 season, Opera Tampa will host a series of master classes. These observational classes give audiences the opportunity to watch singers perform and be critiqued in an educational setting by world-renowned artists.
Season ticket packages are now on sale beginning at just $185.24. Those interested in purchasing season tickets should call the Straz Center Ticket Office at 813.229.STAR (7827) or outside the Tampa Bay area at 800.955.1045 or visit www.strazcenter.org for on-sale information. Straz Center members and Opera Tampa League members are given first priority for new season tickets. Current season ticket holders will receive renewal information during the last week of April and those renewals will be handled before new subscriptions are processed. Call 813.222.1036 or visit www.operatampa.org to learn more about donation opportunities. Group tickets and individual opera tickets will go on sale at a later date to be announced.
For more information about Opera Tampa and its upcoming events, please visit www.operatampa.org. Events, days, dates, times, performers and prices are subject to change without notice.
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