Local Music Opportunities for January

Claudia Pozin
Director of Development – Southwest Florida
Classical South Florida – 88.7

by Claudia Pozin
Director of Development – Southwest Florida
Classical South Florida – 88.7

It is often said “we are so lucky to be living here in Paradise,” – and Paradise is not only the incredible weather but the expansive offerings that we have culturally.

Begin January with a rare treat Michael Fabiano, tenor. Fabiano recently performed with the San Francisco Opera and his role of Rodolfo was unanimously applauded by critics. In early December he will be performing that role at the Metropolitan Opera opposite the Mimi of Angela Gheorghiu in Puccini’s La Boheme. But you can hear him at Artis-Naples in a concert he is performing for Gulfshore Opera with soprano Joyce Khoury. If you love Opera and the soaring voice of tenor – be sure to be at Artis-Naples on January 4 – more information at www.gulfshoreopera.org.

January 11 – choices, choices – a concert with violin and harp or oboe, English horn and strings. I am afraid this is one time you will have to make a choice as they are both at 4 p.m. on the 11th. Daniela Shtereva, violin and Tasha Robinson, harp will be performing at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church.

Shtereva is a full-time violinist with the Naples Philharmonic and a frequent soloist in the Naples area. Robinson is the principal harpist with the Venice and Ocala Symphonies. At that same time at Trinity-by-the-Cove Episcopal Church in Naples you can hear Catherine Weinfield-Zell playing the oboe and English horn. The featured work will be the Quartet for English horn and three stings by Jean Francaix.

You may want to take a little break from the classical genre – and head to Cambier Park in Naples for the Naples Jazz Orchestra’s concert at 7 p.m. on January 12 – featured guests will be Byron Stripling and Bobby Floyd. What could be better than a great jazz concert in an outdoor park in Naples.

The extraordinary blending of voices is a thrill that I personally do not think any other musical ensemble can rival. In Florida we have a preeminent vocal group- Seraphic Fire and they will be at Bower Chapel on January 15 performing Gregorian Chants at 7:30 pm. This group is in their 13th season under the artistic direction of Patrick Dupre Quigley. This group was nominated for two Grammy’s in 2012 and has many firsts to their credit in the world of classical chorale music – so don’t miss this opportunity to hear them right here in our backyard – so to speak.

Another great outdoor venue is our own Botanical Gardens and they host a wonderful jazz series – on January 16th they will be featuring a Tribute to James Taylor. The concert is entitled: Fire and Rain and you can find out more by going to www.napelesgarden.org.

A Star-Spangled Salute is genuine toe-tapping music and you can enjoy it on January 18 with the Naples Concert Band at 2 p.m. in Cambier Park.

Enjoy hearing young people perform – two different opportunities – January 25 – Joshua James Ross, pianist will be performing as a part of Bayshore CAPA’s concert season. That same day you can hear the Youth Orchestra of the Naples Philharmonic – concert at Artis-Naples. It is a pleasure to see young people enjoying the world of classical music and both of these opportunities will warm your heart.

We started off talking about choices and unfortunately we are so fortunate here to have so many choices of wonderful cultural opportunities; that somedays it is truly hard to decide. So make your choices and enjoy your concert hall with no walls – Classical South Florida – 88.7FM