Michael Eddy of Stage-Directions.com writes: Lighting Designer Keith Arsenault recently lit the St. Petersburg Opera Company’s production of the Jacques Offenbach classic, Tales of Hoffmann. Following a poet through three fanciful stories of unrequited love, this opera has … Read the rest
Author Archives: editor
St. Petersburg Opera continues to astound
William S. Oser says in Talkin’ Broadway “I would have been delighted to encounter a performance this good of this opera at any of the … European Opera Houses.” 
The glories of this production all come from the infrastructure of … Read the rest
Mom Would Love It!
Offenbach has only one opera in the repertoire
Peter Bates at Stylus notes: Jacques Offenbach composed over 100 operas. But waste no pity on him because he has only one in the repertoire (and for dying before he could … Read the rest
WUSF Podcast with Maestro Mark Sforzini
Hear Maestro and some cast members on WUSF discussing St. Pete Opera and The Tales of Hoffman.
… Read the restMaestro Interview by Creative Pinellas
From Creative Pinellas:
Maestro Mark Sforzini dispels notions of opera being too stuffy or boring. The affable conductor, composer and director of the St. Petersburg Opera hosts amusingly informative events that de-snobify the genre.
His Evenings and Mornings … Read the rest
Creative Collaborations 2017
Creative Collaborations 2017 Program Notes
Co-Sponsored by Belinda Dumont & William Ward
Rhapsody for Bassoon and Marimba – World Premiere
by Mark Sforzini
Performed by John Shaw (marimba) and Mark Sforzini (bassoon).
meiuqeR: A Tragedy in Reverse – World Premiere… Read the rest
Il Trovatore Sets the Table for the Season
Andrew Meacham writes Il Trovatore opens with foreboding and menace as a Spanish military officer lays the groundwork for revenge. Musically and in tone, the table is set: This will be dark.
The opera by Giuseppe Verdi premiered in Rome … Read the rest
IL TROVATORE – Director’s Notes
Il trovatore is the second of the great trio of mature, middle-period Verdi masterpieces which cemented Verdi’s reputation as the greatest Italian composer of his time. Preceded by Rigoletto and followed by La traviata, this opera demonstrated Verdi’s ability … Read the rest
IL TROVATORE – Synopsis
Part 1 The Duel
Scene 1: The guardroom of the Palace of Aliaferia. Late at night.
Ferrando, Captain of Count di Luna’s guards, warns his men to stay alert for signs of a mysterious troubadour who has been singing … Read the rest
Single Tickets on Sale Now
Under Maestro’s baton the orchestra is absolutely stunning
Broadway World‘s Peter Nason reviews: I am in the camp that believes that SOUTH PACIFIC is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s greatest work. Even though it won the Pulitzer Prize and is the only musical to garner the Tony Award for … Read the rest
‘South Pacific’ closes out opera season, with pleasing results
St. Pete Times‘s Andrew Meacham writes: The St. Petersburg Opera Company again closes its season with a musical, this time running two weeks. The extra week for South Pacific anticipates healthy crowds at the Palladium, but also does justice … Read the rest
A faithful, delightful rendition of ‘La Bohème’
Andrew Meacham reviewed: Now and then, someone launches a contemporary version of La Bohème, Giacomo Puccini’s paean to love and loss, with mixed results. A production in Washington, D.C., set the downtrodden artists in the 1980s club scene. Another, … Read the rest
La Boheme Sold Out Sunday!
If you missed the thunderous standing ovation on opening night of St. Pete Opera’s La Boheme at the Palladium, you will need to get tickets for Tuesday night. Don’t miss this lively, passionate presentation of Puccini’s classic with Maestro … Read the rest
Youth Chorus Audition March 26
All vocally gifted youth, ages 9 to 16, are invited to audition to perform in the St. Petersburg Opera Youth Chorus. (Boys must be of unchanged voice due to the range of the music.)
The audition will begin at… Read the rest
The maestro, the money and the unfinished ‘Great Gatsby’ opera
St. Pete Times‘ Andrew Meachum writes this: Daisy Buchanan — you’ve heard of her — is an irrepressible teen. She is drawn to Jay Gatsby — you’ve heard of him — an enigmatic, though problematic, wealthy older man.
‘Abduction from the Seraglio’ shows off genius
St. Pete Times reviews: A nearly full house turned out on Friday for the St. Petersburg Opera’s first production of 2016, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio.
As with all things Palladium, the former church with … Read the rest
Photos from Abduction
Photos from Carmen
Seasonal Sparkle Photos
Opera Express: Live performance, Demonstration, Participation
A fun adventure for cultural travelers of all ages
FREE!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
10:00 am—1:00 pm
Cast Bio: Chris Romeo
Cast Bio: Andrew Emery – Cinderella’s Prince / Wolf Cover & Mysterious Man Cover
Andrew Emery has a Bachelors of Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Voice Performance. As a performer, Mr. Emery has worked with multiple companies in diverse settings, some being Walt Disney World resort’s “Beauty and the Beast” … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Alexander Adams-Leytes
Buffo bass-baritone ALEXANDER ADAMS-LEYTES, in making his professional debut in March of 2013 with Pacific Opera Project, in Los Angeles, CA, was described as “transcendental” and “never missing a syllable or pitch…always creating a plausible motive for his insane vocal … Read the rest
Cast Bio: John Short
John Short is a Bass-Baritone that studied at USF with Dr. Warren Jaworski. Previous roles have included Masetto/Commendatore in Don Giovanni with New Century Opera, Der Lakai in Ariadne auf Naxos, and Juano in West Side Story, both … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Jeremy Milner
Bass JEREMY MILNER is quickly gaining recognition as a formidable talent in the U.S. and abroad. Milner recently débuted the role of Hagen in Götterdämmerung with the Grand Théâtre de Genève, earning rave reviews: “Jeremy Milner’s Hagen vocally dominates the … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Jay Lucas Chacon
Jay Lucas Chacon is a baritone from Phoenix AZ, currently residing in NYC. Jay recently performed Inkeeper/Governor in Man of La Mancha with Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre and Figaros in the Paisiello Il Barbiere di Siviglia and Le Nozze di … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Daniel Scofield
Described by the Houston Press as “Robust and handsome with booming voice in full range.”, two time regional Metropolitan Opera Council audition finalist Daniel Scofield is quickly gaining recognition for the drama of his performances.
This season Daniel performed the … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Melissa Primavera
Noted for her “glowing” and “sumptuous” voice, soprano Melissa Primavera has become a favorite with audiences. Of her performance as Antonia in Tales of Hoffmann Michael Caruso wrote, “She sang with dramatic intensity, impassioned lyricism and touching intimacy.” Her June … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Michelle Seipel
MICHELLE SEIPEL is delighted to be performing once again at St. Petersburg Opera. Hailed as “an impressive soprano” of “considerable vocal agility and style” (Baltimore Sun), Ms. Seipel’s credits include roles such as Lucia (Lucia di Lammermoor) with Opera Vivente … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Jesse Stock
St. Pete Opera Company is happy to welcome back Baritone JESSE STOCK. “A performer to keep an eye on in the future,” baritone Jesse Stock hails from the small town of Bennett, Iowa. An up and coming talent, Mr. … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Maria Leatitia
Cast Bio: Danielle Talamantes
“It’s not often that a fortunate opera-goer witnesses the birth of a star!,” noted of Soprano DANIELLE TALAMANTES’ recent role debut as Violetta in La Traviata. This season, Talamantes sings the soprano solo in Haydn’s Creation with Cathedral … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Russell Andrade
Portuguese-American Jugendlicher Heldentenor, Russell C. Andrade was hailed as having a “liquid, clear as a bell tenor quality” to his voice and a “big beautiful tenor voice perfect for heroic roles” in the American press after his debut with the … Read the rest
Cast Bio: Kyle Tomlin
Kyle Tomlin is thrilled to return to St. Petersburg Opera for his main-stage debut as Rodolfo. His other engagements this season include Mercury in Orpheus in the Underworld, Rodolfo cover in La Bohème, and Tybalt in Roméo et … Read the rest