Opera Naples has announced the addition of a recital featuring mezzo-soprano Samantha Hankey on April 7, 2026, at Moorings Presbyterian Church. The mezzo will be joined by pianist Ramón Tébar. “I have been following Samantha’s career for some years now, and she is an artist I wanted very much to perform with. When I found out that she spent many {…}
Opera Naples has announced the contestants and jury members and dates for the 2026 Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. The company revealed that a total of 430 singers from 19 countries applied, and 20 contestants were selected. The contestants include sopranos Hannah Cho, Laura Fernandez, Alexandra Hotz, Virginia Mims, Tess Ottinger, and Sofia Scattarreggia; mezzo-sopranos Ashlyn Brown, {…}
Opera Naples has announced its 2025-26 season, or more specifically, its 2026 Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars. In a statement Opera Naples Executive Director Melanie Kalnins said, “Now in our 20th Anniversary milestone year, we plan to continue to elevate our artistic standards in partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation and are proud to now extend our popular Festival Under {…}
Opera Naples is set to present “The Mikado.” The work is a witty and whimsical tale of love, politics, and absurdity set in ancient Japan and will be presented on March 7 and 9 at the Cambria Park Softball Field. The cast will include Nathan Schafer, Matthew Cossack, Scott Hetz Clark, Jeffrey Goldberg, Louis Dall’Ava, Hannah Cho, Cornelia Lotito, D’Ariel Barnard, and Bridget Scott. The production will be directed {…}
(Image provided by Opera Naples) Opera Naples has announced the contestants for this year’s Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition and Academy. The participants include sopranos Hayley Abramowitz, Sarah Bacani, Laura Fernández, Luna Park, and Victoria Ratto; mezzo-sopranos Simona Genga, Maggie Reneé, and Kim Stanish; tenors Jordan Costa, William Johnson, Minghao Liu, and Luke Norvell; baritones Matthew Cossack, {…}
Opera Naples is teaming up with the Larimart Gallery to present an exclusive event on Oct. 19, 2024 spotlighting a new portrait of Luciano Pavarotti. The work was created by Mary LaGarde, who is donating the painting for the live auction at the Opera Naples “An Evening in Paris” gala on Dec. 5, 2024. The portrait will be on display {…}
Following Hurricane Milton, Opera Naples’s executive director has released a statement. Executive director Melanie Kalnins said, “It is our sincere hope that you are safe and managing the impact of Hurricane Milton. I am also writing to provide an update regarding the Wang Opera Center (WOC) following the storm. We are grateful that the WOC managed the storm well. While {…}
Opera Naples has announced the appointment of Melanie Kalnins as Executive Director, Development and Communications, effective August 15, 2024. Over the past years, Kalnins provided marketing and publicity consulting services for the company including the 2023-24 season. Per the company, Kalnins helped make the fourth annual Festival Under the Stars the “most successful to date.” In her new role with {…}
Opera Naples has announced its 2024-25 season. The season will include EUROFEST 2024 with coloratura soprano Maria Aleida Rodriguez and accomplished tenor Eduardo Salles. Performance Date: August 26, 2024 An Eveneing in Paris Gala will feature chairs Jan and Kim Kantor, Opera Naples Committee and Board members and other supporters and fellow opera enthusiasts as we celebrate and support Opera {…}
Opera Naples is set to present “EuroFest 2024” on August 26, 2024. The event will feature live performances starring soprano Maria Aleida Rodriguez and tenor Eduardo Salles alongside Robin Shuford Frank, director of education and community outreach. Rodriguez, a graduate of the Academy of Vocal Arts, has toured with Andrea Bocelli. Meanwhile, Salles has performed with the Institute Superior de {…}
Opera Naples announced that it has received a $30,000 community leadership grant from the Collier Community Foundation. The one-time unrestricted gift was given due to recent state funding cuts which effected Opera Naples. Following the challenges of recent years, including impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and significant damage to the Wang Opera Center from Hurricane Ian, this grant helps Opera {…}