Gulfshore Opera

Late February, actor Timothee Chalamet suggested that no one cares about ballet and opera anymore. That’s definitely not the case in Southwest Florida, where opera enjoyed a huge month.

Composer George Gershwin is best known for “Rhapsody in Blue” and “An American in Paris.” But he also partnered with his brother, Ira, to write the greatest of all American operas, “Porgy & Bess.” Gulfshore Opera is bringing a condensed version of the witty, gritty story of unshakable love to the stage to celebrate America250.

Multiple opera performances take place this week at the Sarasota Opera House, Artis-Naples and the Wang Opera Center in Naples.

Gulfshore Opera takes a “Taste of Opera” to Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda on February 10. On Friday the 13th, Opera Naples celebrates the opera chorus at the Wang Opera Center with “Voices of Triumph.” And Puccini's most beloved and frequently performed opera, “La bohème,” opens Valentine’s Day at the Sarasota Opera House.

Gulfshore Opera’s concert series opens Jan. 20 with “As You Like It," but “In the Voice of Shakespeare” at Artis-Naples is Gulfshore Opera’s capstone event.

In the George Bizet opera, Carmen is a femme fatale, alluring, quick-tempered, able to captivate and torment men. The role requires a singer with special skills, which is why Gulfshore Opera chose mezzo-soprano Lisa Marie Rogali.

Gulfshore Opera is opening its season with a full-scale production of "Carmen" at the Barbara B. Mann on Dec. 2, the Charlotte Performing Art Center on Dec. 4 and Artist-Naples on Dec. 7.

Gulfshore Opera is mourning the death of a longtime patron. John Wernette was an avid supporter of Gulfshore Opera’s youth programs. He died September 8. But GO's ongoing youth-oriented community engagement initiatives reflect his support

Last year, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed $32 million in arts and culture grants that had been approved by the Florida Legislature. This year, the state’s $115.5 billion budget includes $18.3 million in arts and culture grants, but only a handful of Southwest Florida arts organizations qualified for a share of that money. For the second year in a row, 14 Lee county arts organizations were denied state funding, including the Alliance for the Arts and Florida Repertory Theatre. Each of Lee’s arts organizations is employing a medley of measures to make up for the loss of state grants.

The $115.5 billion budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis includes more than $18 million for 184 arts organizations. Most Southwest Florida arts and culture organizations remain on the outside looking in.