Draft:Opera Orlando

• Comment: At the moment, the majority of the content in the draft is not supported by a reliable source. The information needs to be removed or sourced. See WP:INCITE which will also assist. CNMall41 (talk) 22:40, 20 September 2024 (UTC)

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Opera Orlando logo - black, bolded text with black stars on either side

In 2009 the region of Central Florida was surrounded by the companies: Orlando Opera, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Florida Opera Theatre. Then in 2016, Opera Orlando was formed from Florida Opera Theatre under the leadership of Gabriel Preisser.

Opera Orlando's mainstage performances take place at Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The Company also performs at the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater from time to time in addition to multiple other venues throughout Central Florida.

History

In 2009, after half a century of operation, the Orlando Opera permanently closed its doors. The space that closure left was temporarily filled by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Florida Opera Theatre. Under the leadership of the Florida Opera Theatre, Opera Orlando was founded in 2016 by current general director and CEO Gabriel Preisser.

The company hosted a fundraising gala in March that same year, earning donations from about 200 artists, art lovers, and enthusiastic supporters. This fundraising effort led to the company's inaugural productions in April 2016. These were Mozart's Impresario and Poulenc's Les Mamelles de Tirésias on-stage at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

In June 2016, the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting caused the Orlando community to come together. In the wake of the Pulse nightclub tragedy Opera Orlando hosted the benefit One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song supporting five local charities. This effort proved fruitful to the Orlando community through fundraising and the arts.

The Prince and Rusalka during the 2023/24 season production at the Art & History Museum of Maitland

While mainstage productions have always been at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the company initially operated on the Walt Disney Theatre and Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre stages. In 2022, their productions moved to the newly constructed Steinmetz Hall as it was a space more ideal for Grand Opera.

The company will celebrate their tenth anniversary during the 2026-27 season.

Mission

The mission that drives the company of Opera Orlando is to connect and engage with the community of Central Florida as well as to present them the transformative years of Opera. As the company demonstrates relevant productions, they offer educational programs for all ages to enrich and reflect the diverse culture of the community.

Programs

In addition to its seasonal productions, Opera Orlando enriches the Central Florida community year-round through its youth and educational programs.

Puppetry in The Juniper Tree during the 2023/24 season

Opera Orlando Youth Company

Aimed at those aged 8-18, the Opera Orlando Youth Company trains aspiring artists for a season, focusing on classical music, opera, and theatre. Workshops emphasize healthy vocal techniques, performance skills, and artistic creativity. Those in the youth company can also become involved in MainStage productions. This company was showcased in the 2023/24 staging of The Juniper Tree.

Studio Artists

The Studio Artists program is designed for post-graduate singers, ages 24+. This program gives accepted auditionees the chance to gain performance experience by covering Mainstage roles, working alongside guest artists in masterclass settings, and receiving multi-faceted training. This program engages with the Central Florida community through outreach events.

Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers

In 2020, Opera Orlando began their Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers program. This 6-day summer intensive is for high school and undergraduate college students, ages 15 to 20.

During this time, typically in late July, students are instructed directly by Opera Orlando staff and artists. Participants receive coaching on individual repertoire, attend opera-specific masterclasses, and discuss what a career in opera entails, such as earning a music degree. Students are informed about both artistic and business matters. Classes include resume-building, participants have the opportunity to take headshots and perform in a recorded showcase concert that may be added to their portfolio.

Community production of Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World

Community Efforts

Opera Orlando gives back to the community through in-school opera previews, masterclasses with company artists, and invitations to dress rehearsals for MainStage productions.

In-school opera previews engage students by familiarizing them with one of the season's mainstage productions and facilitating discussions with Studio Artists. Lesson plans are provided to teachers as additional educational material. Uniquely, invited Studio Artists perform an abridged program in the classroom.

During a masterclass, teaching artists visit schools and work with singers in a masterclass setting, helping to prepare students for solos, ensemble positions, or Thespian competitions.

Schools that register will receive an invitation for students to attend one of the season's final dress rehearsals.

Education programs and the Opera Orlando Youth Company are supported by the City of Orlando. As well as an Apprentice Pilot Program that Opera Orlando and Stetson University of Music and Opera partnered to make happen

Special events include The Mozart Dinner at Steinmetz Hall. This is an annual fundraiser with a three-course dinner, drinks, and a musical program.

Seasons

Productions take place on the MainStage at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Opera on the Town performances are staged throughout Central Florida.

Year	Production	Location
2015/16	Impresario/Les Mamelles de Tirésias	MainStage
2016/17	Don Pasquale	MainStage
2016/17	Amahl and the Night Visitors	MainStage
2016/17	Don Giovanni	MainStage
2017/18	La Bohème	MainStage
2017/18	Amahl and the Night Visitors	MainStage
2017/18	Cendrillion	MainStage
2017/18	Campanion & Safe Word	On the Town
2017/18	Abduction	On the Town
2017/18	Noche de Zarzuela	On the Town
2017/18	Brundibar	On the Town
2018/19	Tales of Hoffmann	MainStage
2018/19	Hansel & Gretel	MainStage
2018/19	Pagliacci/Pulcinella	MainStage
2018/19	The Barber of Seville	On the Town
2018/19	Noye's Fludde	On the Town
2018/19	6 of VIII	On the Town
2019/20	The Marriage of Figaro	MainStage
2019/20	All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914	MainStage
2019/20	The Daughter of the Regiment (cancelled due to COVID-19)	MainStage
2019/20	6 of VIII	On the Town
2019/20	Amahl and the Night Visitors	On the Town
2019/20	The Girl of the Golden West	On the Town
2019/20	The Very Last Green Thing (cancelled due to COVID-19)	On the Town
2020/21	Die Fledermaus	MainStage
2020/21	Hansel & Gretel	MainStage
2020/21	Carmen	MainStage
2020/21	Death of Ivan Ilych	On the Town
2020/21	The Secret River (Piano Workshop)	On the Town
2020/21	As One	On the Town
2021/22	La Traviata	MainStage
2021/22	The Secret River (World Premiere)	MainStage
2021/22	Rigoletto	MainStage
2021/22	King for a Day	On the Town
2021/22	Lizbeth	On the Town
2022/23	The Magic Flute	MainStage
2022/23	All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914	MainStage
2022/23	The Daughter of the Regiment	MainStage
2022/23	The Marriage Contract & Gianni Schicchi	On the Town
2022/23	Baseball: A Musical Love Letter	On the Town
2023/24	Tosca	MainStage
2023/24	Frida	MainStage
2023/24	Lucia di Lammermoor	MainStage
2023/24	The Juniper Tree	MainStage
2023/24	Rusalka	On the Town
2024/25	Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín	MainStage
2024/25	Macbeth	MainStage
2024/25	Four Lost Santas/ Amahl and the Night Visitors	MainStage
2024/25	Cendrillon	MainStage
2024/25	Beatrice + Benedict/ Cavalleria Rusticana	MainStage
2024/25	Treemonisha	MainStage