Opera

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.

Opera Naples’ Festival Under the Stars reaches its crescendo this week with five consecutive sunset performances in Baker Park including the finals of the international voice competition started by tenor Luciano Pavarotti in the 1990s in Philadelphia.

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.

Andrew Kurtz has opera roots. He attended his first opera at the age of 10. His first job was for a professional opera company. “I even ran an opera company in Philadelphia for 16 years,” said Kurtz. His long-range plan is to include fully staged opera performances in Gulf Coast Symphony’s repertoire as early as next season.

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’s season-ending extravaganza takes place this week. But attendees won’t be hearing opera.

Thunderous applause echoed through U. Tobe Recital Hall at the Bower School of Music as the names were announced of the four singers who won the inaugural Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. They are soprano Luna Park, mezzo-soprano Simona Genga, tenor Minghao Liu and bass Camhur Gorgun.

The late Luciano Pavarotti ran an international voice competition in Philadelphia in the 1980s and '90s to foster emerging opera talent. Opera Naples and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation are bringing it back! The competition will be held at FGCU's Bower School of Music & the Arts Thursday through Saturday.

In tandem with the Pavarotti Voice Competition, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy will present the comedic opera “Don Pasquale” in two performances this weekend. This weekend’s performances at the Wang Opera Center give some of today’s rising opera stars from around the world the opportunity to perform with a live orchestra.

Since the pandemic shutdowns, opera companies across the country have reported record levels of first-time attendees. Many are seeking that Julia Roberts experience.