Opera Naples

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 Ballet performs “Don Quixote” on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Wang Opera Center. It’s the ballet company’s third consecutive appearance at Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars.

Opera Naples is observing America250 with two patriotically themed concerts, 'Scalia/Ginsburg' and 'Stars and Standards, An American Songbook Celebration.'

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.

Opera Naples has added a concert to its current season. Rising opera star Samantha Hankey will do a recital on April 7th at Moorings Presbyterian Church. Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar will accompany Hankey on the piano.

On January 24, Opera Naples’ resident artists will take to the stage for a captivating night of vocal artistry. “An Evening of Opera’s Greatest Hits” will provide a fresh take on beloved arias, other timeless classics and scenes from operatic canon.

Opera Naples has announced the contestants and jury members who have been selected for the 2026 Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition. Out of 430 singers from 19 different countries who applied to compete, 20 contestants were selected.

America 250. It’s a nonpartisan initiative to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. The Florida Legislature is joining in. It plans to award $1 million in grants this month to arts organizations doing America250 programming. Grant or no grant, Opera Naples will perform two America250 shows, says Executive Director Melanie Kalnins.

In the current arts and culture grant drought, one Southwest Florida arts organization is enjoying success. Opera Naples has seen a 71 percent increase in ticket sales over the past two years, and a 310 percent jump in corporate sponsorships. Executive Director Melanie Kalnins says one reason is Opera Naples’ board.

This week, Gulfcoast Studio Company of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet will present four performances of 'La Primavera,' celebrating Spring, while Opera Naples screens the last of four documentary films on the Strauss Family.