Florida Grand Opera (FGO) opened its 85th season with a heartfelt reminder that opera can be community-driven, emotional, musically accessible, and relevant to the present moment. The atrium was pleasantly crowded before the opening performance of “Silent Night” by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell; a wide spectrum of glamorous attendees sipped drinks from the bar and watched singers from {…}
Florida Grand Opera has announced the artists selected for its 2025–26 Studio and CANTO Programs, who will appear in the company’s “SongFest” concerts on Nov. 21 in Miami and Nov. 23 in Fort Lauderdale. The FGO Studio roster will feature sopranos Catherin Meza and Ingrid Kuribayashi; tenors Levi Adkins and James Mancuso; baritones Alex Granito and Joseph O’Shea; and bass-baritone {…}
Florida Grand Opera has renewed the contract of Assistant Conductor Felix Jarrar for the 2025-26 season. He will be working on productions of “Silent Night,” “Die Fledermaus,” and “Turandot,” in addition to taking on roles as vocal coach and orchestra administration. “I would like to give a huge thanks to Florida Grand Opera Studio Manager Dr. Jared Peroune for being {…}
Florida Grand Opera has announced two new members to its Board of Directors. The new members include Fidelma Fariña-Cobas and John Keeler. Fariña-Cobas is an independent wealth executive who has worked with PNC Private Bank Hawthorn. “We are honored to welcome Fidelma to our board,” said Maria Todaro, General Director and CEO of Florida Grand Opera, per an official press {…}
Florida Grand Opera has named Pablo Mielgo as its new Music Director. Mielgo, who has worked with such conducting legends as Sir Colin Davis, Daniel Barenboim, James Conlon, and Claudio Abbado, will join recently appointed General Director & CEO Maria Todaro in pushing the company into a new direction. During his tenure, he, in collaboration with Todaro, will lead the {…}
(Photo credit: Lewis Valdes) Florida Grand Opera’s 2024-25 season finale featuring Bizet’s “Carmen” served as a capstone for General Director Maria Todaro’s inaugural year with the company. Thoughtfully crafted to resonate with a diverse audience, the production honored traditional operatic sentiments while embracing contemporary themes of women’s rights and political discourse, and it celebrated the region’s diverse cultural ties. Notably, {…}
“Opera Meets Reggae 2.0: Hit Me With Music,” will take place as part of the Florida Grand Opera’s Innovation Hub. Following the success of last year’s concert,”Hit Me With Music” continues to explore the surprising commonalities between opera and reggae, blending powerful storytelling, rich vocal traditions, and infectious rhythms into an unforgettable night of music. Sopranos Sydney Dardis and Mary Burke {…}
Christine Goerke is set to present an exclusive public masterclass on Feb. 23, 2025, at the Florida Grand Opera. The event, which kicks off at 2 p.m. at the FIU Herbert and Nicole Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts Concert Hall, will feature performances from Florida Grand Opera Studio artists, including Mary Burke Barber (Mezzo-Soprano), Sydney Dardis (Soprano), Monique {…}
The Florida Grand Opera is set to make operatic history when mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson and her soprano sisters Marina Costa-Jackson and Miriam Costa-Jackson perform together for the first time in a production of “Carmen.” Maria Todaro will direct the production, which will feature Ginger Costa-Jackson in her signature role as Carmen. Her sisters Marina and Miriam will alternate the role {…}
The Florida Grand Opera is set to perform Donizetti’s “L’Elisir d’Amore.” The opera which will be performed in Miami between Feb 1 and 4 and then in Fort Lauderdale between Feb 13 and 15, will be shown in a production by Matt Cooksey. Cooksey will draw attention to the relatable humanity in “The Elixir of Love,” calling Nemorino’s journey “one {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has received an additional $1 million matching gift from philanthropists Tina Vidal-Duart and Carlos Duart. This latest donation follows a 2024 gift of $2 million, providing a total of $3 million in funding to the organization. The donations were given due to teh new leadership and the presentation of vibrant productions as well the company’s insistence {…}
