Florida Grand Opera (FGO) launched its new FGO Innovation hub with a preview of “Triângulo,” a new mixed-martial arts opera, on August 31, 2024. The event featured performances as well as martial arts choreography. The work is led by Joe Specter, an accomplished arts executive, former opera singer, and martial arts practitioner, and Latin Grammy-nominated composer Martin Bejerano. The work {…}
(Photo credit: Alexander Jane Creative, Florida Grand Opera has announced a transformation of its Studio Artist Program. Soprano Elizabeth Caballero, tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz, and baritone Louis Otey will join Florida Grand Opera’s studio as Artist Training and Development Consultants for the 2024-25 season. They will work alongside Neil Nelson, the Senior Artist Training and Development Consultant, and Dr. Jared Peroune, {…}
Florida Grand Opera announced the appointment of Giacomo Bossa, Sandra Savini, and Chang Oh Turkmani to its Board of Directors. Bossa is a partner at Barakat + Bossa, and is known for his adeptness in navigating different legal jurisdictions and cultural frameworks. Bossa successfully leads trials to verdicts and counsels clients towards innovative, cost-effective solutions. He is admitted to practice {…}
Felix Jarrar will serve as Florida Grand Opera’s assistant conductor for the 2024-25 season. The composer and pianist announced the news via social media and said, “I am so honored and thrilled to share that I will be the Assistant Conductor for the 2024-25 Season at Florida Grand Opera for their productions of ‘Die Zauberflöte,’ ‘L’elisir d’amore,’ & ‘Carmen.’ Thank {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has named Sissi Fleitas one of its newest ambassadors. In this role, Fleitas will focus on educating Spanish-speaking youth about the transformative power of opera, drawing on her deep-rooted passion for the arts and cultural preservation. Fleitas is a renowned Cuban-American actress known for her vibrant career in television, theater, and film. She made her stage {…}
Radmila Lolly has joined the board of the Florida Grand Opera. Lolly is a Russian-American artist with a varied career that has seen her make incursions into music, fashion, and literature. As a musician, she has released a series of major albums including “IV Stories at the Standard Hotel” and “Wonderland.” Some of her major hits include “U R Moving {…}
(Credit: Tania Barricklo) Florida Grand Opera has dropped the interim tag and announced the official appointment of Maria Todaro to the position of General Director. Todaro’s professional life has seen her transition from mezzo-soprano to entrepreneur when she founded a company Arteodor, France at the age of 21; she also co-founded the Hudson Valley International Festival of the Voice. From {…}
(Photo credit: Daniel Azoulay) Florida Grand Opera’s final production of Puccini’s “La Bohème” on May 4 was merely spectacular. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, FL was alive with the spirit of opera. The nearly 3,000-seat theatre was packed with culture, diversity, and love for the arts. Illuminating Authenticity The curtain rose revealing the familiar scene, {…}
(Photo credit: Leonor Anthony) Hours before her final debut performance as Mimì in Florida Grand Opera’s “La Bohème,” soprano Rebecca Krynski Cox announced via Instagram that she is nine months pregnant. Cox and Florida Grand Opera’s General Director Maria Todaro spoke with OperaWire about working together through this process and on the importance of supporting women and pregnant people within {…}
The Florida Grand Opera has announced its 2024-25 season. Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” opens the season and will be directed by Jeffrey Marc Buchman. Performance Dates: Nov. 16, 17 & 19 at Miami and Dec. 5 & 7 at Fort Lauderdale Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love” will be the second opera and will be directed by Matt Cooksey. Performance Dates: Feb. {…}
The Florida Grand Opera will celebrate its 82nd Anniversary with a black-tie Gala, titled “What Would You Do for Love.” The event will be held on March 16 at the Temple House. FGO’s newly appointed Board Chair, Tina Vidal-Duart,will announce the plans for the reimagined future of the opera company, with special performances by Radmila Lolly and Samy Hawk. Opera {…}