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Author Archives: editor

Audition for Music Man on March 31!

Posted on March 20, 2018 by editor Posted in Auditions, SPO News

St. Petersburg Opera announces auditions for select roles (Mayor Shinn, Charlie Cowell, Constable Locke, and Train Conductor) in The Music Man.

St. Petersburg Opera Company The Music Man by Meredith Willson

Mark Sforzini Artistic Director
Deanna Dys Stage Director
Rehearsals … Read the rest

The Tampa Bay area is lucky!

Posted on February 21, 2018 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, SPO News

TampaBay.com: After the National Anthem and some introductory remarks by the maestro, a teacher from Chattanooga, Tenn., addressed a crowd at the Palladium Tuesday about the short work they were about to hear from the Tampa Bay Symphony.

“This … Read the rest

Maestro Sforzini dusting off his bassoon

Posted on February 9, 2018 by editor Posted in SPO News
Our own Maestro Sforzini will be dusting off his bassoon to play a recital this Saturday night with clarinetist Brian Moorhead.  Moorhead (41 years Principal Clarinet with the Florida Orchestra) commissioned Sforzini to compose a Double Concerto for Clarinet and … Read the rest

Strong leads propel St. Petersburg Opera’s ‘The Magic Flute’

Posted on February 5, 2018 by editor Posted in Mark Sforzini, Operas, SPO News

Reviewer Andrew Meacham wrote:  An unconscious prince in a magical forest gets rescued by three witchy women who serve a mysterious queen. He soon returns the favor, rescuing the queen’s daughter with whom he has fallen instantly in love.… Read the rest

Morning Blend Show

Posted on January 16, 2018 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

Maestro Sforzini and Kelly Butler appear on Morning Blend with a preview of The Magic Flute.

Click here to see.… Read the rest

Opera is for Everyone

Posted on November 13, 2017 by editor Posted in At the OC, Events, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

by Susie Hellman Spatafora (Assoc. Director of Development at St. Pete Opera and lover of opera education for kids!)

Everyone here at Opera Central is super excited about our opera for children, Pinocchio! Sunny Spaces, our set designer and … Read the rest

Cocktails with the Maestro

Posted on November 13, 2017 by editor Posted in Events, Mark Sforzini, SPO News, St. Pete Opera
Join the fun at our inaugural Cocktails with the Maestro in vibrant downtown St. Petersburg.  Gather your friends and join us after work or school to enjoy a great venue and opera antics…a perfect duo. Maestro Mark Sforzini will lead
… Read the rest

‘Faust’ a Hit!

Posted on October 23, 2017 by editor Posted in Events, Operas, Reviews, SPO News, St. Pete Opera, Tickets

Seasoned cast scores an extra-base hit for St. Petersburg Opera with ‘Faust’ says Andrew Meacham, Times Performing Arts Critic:

Charles Gounod’s Faust sets the table early. The world-weary philosopher immortalized in a dramatic poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is … Read the rest

Meet me at the opera. You have your ticket, right?

Posted on October 19, 2017 by editor Posted in Events, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera
Gounod’s romantic, French grand opera Faust presents us with glorious melodies and sumptuous orchestrations for this dark tale. Unhappy with life, Faust yearns for a return to his youth; makes a pact with the Devil and draws a host of … Read the rest

SPO DVD is First Ever of Susannah!

Posted on October 14, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

St. Petersburg Opera Company is delighted to announce the first ever DVD recording of the Carlisle Floyd opera Susannah, with Maestro Mark Sforzini and starring Susan Hellman Spatafora, Stefanie Izzo and Aleksandra Ritums.  Filmed in 2014 at the Palladium … Read the rest

Samuel Hall sings Nessun Dorma

Posted on August 29, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, Events, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

St. Petersburg Opera Company’s Samuel Hall sings Nessun dorma at the Palladium Theatre in St. Petersburg, Florida  on December 18, 2016 with Maestro Mark Sforizini directing the St. Petersburg Opera Orchestra and Chorus in the annual Seasonal Sparkle celebration of … Read the rest

Arsenault’s design brings out the full richness of Tales of Hoffman

Posted on June 10, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, Operas, Reviews, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

St. Petersburg Opera continues to astound

Posted on June 9, 2017 by editor Posted in Operas, Reviews, SPO News

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!

Posted on June 8, 2017 by editor Posted in SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on June 5, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

Hear Maestro and some cast members on WUSF discussing St. Pete Opera and The Tales of Hoffman.

https://www.wusf.usf.edu/sites/default/files/podcast/05-30-2017_St.%20Pete%20Opera.mp3… Read the rest

Maestro Interview by Creative Pinellas

Posted on May 15, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on April 7, 2017 by editor Posted in Artists, At the OC, Events, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on October 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Mark Sforzini, Operas, Reviews, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on October 4, 2016 by editor Posted in Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on October 4, 2016 by editor Posted in Operas, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

 

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

Posted on August 30, 2016 by editor Posted in St. Pete Opera

maestro-mark-312Buy tickets for our eleventh opera season:

    Buy Tales of Hoffman
    Buy Into the Woods

 … Read the rest

Under Maestro’s baton the orchestra is absolutely stunning

Posted on July 5, 2016 by editor Posted in Reviews, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on July 5, 2016 by editor Posted in SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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’

Posted on June 6, 2016 by editor Posted in Operas, Reviews, SPO News, St. Pete Opera

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!

Posted on June 4, 2016 by editor Posted in St. Pete Opera

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

Posted on March 22, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists, Auditions

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

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists, Mark Sforzini, SPO News

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.

… Read the rest

‘Abduction from the Seraglio’ shows off genius

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in Events, Operas, Reviews, SPO News

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

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in Events, Operas


… Read the rest

Photos from Carmen

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in Operas, SPO News



… Read the rest

Seasonal Sparkle Photos

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in SPO News




… Read the rest

Opera Express: Live performance, Demonstration, Participation

Posted on March 18, 2016 by editor Posted in St. Pete Opera

Opera_Express

A fun adventure for cultural travelers of all ages

FREE!
Saturday, March 12, 2016
10:00 am—1:00 pm

… Read the rest

Cast Bio: Chris Romeo

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists
… Read the rest

Cast Bio: Andrew Emery, Featured Soloist

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Andrew-Emery-headshot-300Andrew 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Alex-Adams-Leytes headshot-300Buffo 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

john shortJohn 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Milner-headshot-300Bass 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Jay Chacon-300Jay 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Daniel Scofield headshot-300Described 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

Posted on March 17, 2016 by editor Posted in Artists

Melissa-Primavera-headshot-300Noted 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

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Does Father know best? Dying from tuberculosis, the courtesan Violetta Valery grasps at one last chance for love when she meets the country boy Alfredo. Their romantic idyll is interrupted by his status conscious father[...]
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La Traviata @ The Palladium
Jun 3 @ 2:00 pm
La Traviata @ The Palladium | Saint Petersburg | Florida | United States
Does Father know best? Dying from tuberculosis, the courtesan Violetta Valery grasps at one last chance for love when she meets the country boy Alfredo. Their romantic idyll is interrupted by his status conscious father[...]
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7:30 pm La Traviata @ The Palladium
La Traviata @ The Palladium
Jun 5 @ 7:30 pm
La Traviata @ The Palladium | Saint Petersburg | Florida | United States
Does Father know best? Dying from tuberculosis, the courtesan Violetta Valery grasps at one last chance for love when she meets the country boy Alfredo. Their romantic idyll is interrupted by his status conscious father[...]
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Broadway Cabaret @ Opera Central
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The Latest News

  • Audition for Music Man on March 31!

    St. Petersburg Opera announces auditions for select roles (Mayor Shinn, Charlie Cowell, Constable Locke, and Train Conductor) in The Music Man.

    St. Petersburg Opera Company The Music Man by Meredith Willson Mark Sforzini Artistic Director Deanna Dys Stage Director Rehearsals begin June 6, 2018 Show dates: June 29, July ...
  • The Tampa Bay area is lucky! TampaBay.com: After the National Anthem and some introductory remarks by the maestro, a teacher from Chattanooga, Tenn., addressed a crowd at the Palladium Tuesday about the short work they were about to hear from the Tampa ...
  • Maestro Sforzini dusting off his bassoon
    Our own Maestro Sforzini will be dusting off his bassoon to play a recital this Saturday night with clarinetist Brian Moorhead.  Moorhead (41 years Principal Clarinet with the Florida Orchestra) commissioned Sforzini to compose a Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon.  Additional commissioners include Belinda ...
  • Strong leads propel St. Petersburg Opera’s ‘The Magic Flute’ Reviewer Andrew Meacham wrote:  An unconscious prince in a magical forest gets rescued by three witchy women who serve a mysterious queen. He soon returns the favor, rescuing the queen’s daughter with whom he has fallen ...
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WUSF Podcast: Hoffman

https://www.wusf.usf.edu/sites/default/files/podcast/05-30-2017_St.%20Pete%20Opera.mp3
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