opera

Since the pandemic shutdowns, opera companies across the country have reported record levels of first-time attendees. Many are seeking that Julia Roberts experience.

Enrico Caruso is considered the greatest tenor ever, even 103 years after his death. Caruso died August 2, 1921, in Naples, Italy. He was 48.

Nicoletta Pavarotti's presence in Southwest Florida for Opera Naples 2024 Festival Under the Stars is more than a tribute to her late husband; it's part of an ambitious project to build an opera museum and theater in Naples.

Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar joins us live in studio to highlight the opera company’s upcoming performance offerings including the Winter Dreams Gala in December, performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, and Opera Naples’ fourth annual Festival Under the Stars in March 2024.

Opera Naples new Executive Director Laura Burns’ first day on the job came less than a week after storm surge from Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to the Wang Opera Center. We’ll talk with Burns about ongoing hurricane recovery efforts, get a preview of Opera Naples productions this performance season, and learn about Burns’ life-long passion for the arts and background as an arts administrator and advocate.

Southwest Florida’s regional touring opera company Gulf Shore Opera kicks off the first formal production of its eighth season with performances of “The Bat’s Revenge.” The show is an innovative retelling of Johann Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus.” We talk with the creator of the show, opera director and librettist Josh Shaw, who has come to Southwest Florida to direct performances of this debut production.

Opera Naples inaugural “Festival Under the Stars” concert series runs Wednesday through Saturday with a March 10 performance by renowned tenor Joseph Calleja, performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” March 11 and 13, and a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story” featuring Isabel Leonard in the role of Maria. We’ll preview the concert series in a conversation with the multi-Grammy award winning mezzo soprano opera star.