Opera Orlando continues to be an essential part of the community, offering entertainment opportunities and educational opportunities for all.

Opera Orlando continues to be an essential part of the community, offering educational opportunities and entertainment opportunities for all. Heading into its 10th season, Opera Orlando is looking back on its tremendous growth and ahead to an exciting commemorative season.

Opera Orlando began with an annual budget of $250,000, two staff members and a theater with a seating capacity of 300 in January 2016. It has since grown to surpass $3 million in annual revenues, and maintains a core staff of 10 in addition to over 150 performers, designers and other independent contractors. There’s also an improved seating capacity of 1,200 at Steinmetz Hall.

The key to Opera Orlando’s success lies in the community that surrounds it.

“We have an amazing staff, board, donor base and fan base, all with a real passion for the centuries-old, yet still thriving, art form of opera,” says Gabriel Preisser, Opera Orlando’s general director. “This passion allows us to not only look back and celebrate the great legacy of humanity that opera embodies but also look forward and expand upon all the things that opera can be.”

The 10th anniversary season features a spectacular run of shows including original productions; Puccini’s La Bohème set in ‘30s Shanghai; the Orlando Premiere of the Pulitzer-Prize winning Silent Night; and The Merry Widow.

“Each production this season is either a look back or a look forward for the company, celebrating our past and highlighting continued artistic and organizational growth for years to come… ending [with a] 10th anniversary party in the form of A Decade of Divas, a one-night-only concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra,” says Preisser. “We really wanted a mixture of traditional and modern this season, new and old to celebrate not only our first 10 years, but also to celebrate opera’s long-standing and ever-evolving legacy.”

Opera Orlando offers so much more than just mainstage shows; its educational programs give the community a chance to get involved and provide heightened accessibility to enjoy this incredible art form.

Young performers aged 8-18 are encouraged to audition for the Opera’s Youth Company—giving developing artists the opportunity to perfect their craft and participate in various productions. In years past these productions have included Tosca and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra’s Home for the Holidays.

The Apprentice Artists program serves the needs of undergraduate students allowing them to gain real-world experience working with a professional opera company and earn college credits through Opera Orlando’s partnership with Stetson University.

Each year the opera takes on a select number of Studio Artists to gain performance experience, cover MainStage roles, work with special guest artists in masterclass settings, and receive acting, movement and vocal training. Studio Artists are also engaged in community events such as retirement home and school performances.

“What’s most exciting is that former Studio Artists are going on to other prestigious young artist programs, graduate schools, and professional contracts across the country,” says Sarah Purser, Opera Orlando’s education director. “It’s so rewarding to see how their time with us helps launch the next chapter of their careers.”

In addition to performance opportunities, Opera Orlando has forged intentional partnerships with various local organizations allowing for meaningful collaborations and community entertainment.

Each year, Opera Orlando puts on a touring production for elementary schools as a way to “bring opera directly to children and families who might never otherwise experience it, sparking curiosity and connection at such a formative age.”

“Our annual touring production for elementary schools is one of my favorite parts of our education work,” continues Purser. “This year, our studio artists will tour Hansel and Gretel across Central Florida—performing in schools, at AdventHealth Children’s Hospital and offering a free community performance at the Oviedo Amphitheatre.”

In partnership with the local Veterans Affairs and Orlando Family Stage, Opera Orlando will be producing free performances of All Is Calm, an opera centered on the World War I Christmas truce. In connection with this performance Opera Orlando will host a panel discussion at UCF’s Burnett Honors College.

“We’ll explore the experiences of veterans and the ways in which music and storytelling can foster healing, empathy and connection,” says Purser.

Whether consuming, creating or performing, the arts are an integral part of any culture, community and spirit. Shows from Opera Orlando offer a rare opportunity to take a break from the stress of the world and truly immerse yourself in the drama and beauty of the stage.

“The arts provide wellness, community, economy, open-mindedness, tolerance, inspiration and love. A vibrant arts scene increases our quality of life and attracts major businesses and talent to the area,” says Preisser. “Having professional performing arts organizations with high-quality productions and programs help ensure continued economic growth and quality of life for future generations while also providing a platform for the next generation of artists, singers, musicians, designers and other creative minds.”

“To me, the arts are imperative,” he continues. “The arts are life itself.”

Opera Orlando
Orlando
(407) 512-1900
OperaOrlando.org