CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS WITH THE GO DIVAS

Gulfshore Opera is celebrating the holidays with a Renaissance inspired Christmas concert in costume with a candlelight procession in Naples December 13th at the Salvation Army Church | Naples. This concert feature GO Divas, Gulfshore Opera’s newest, all female group comprised of six beautiful young ladies with degrees in classical voice.

The GO Divas will perform Benjamin Britten’s Ceremony of Carols written in1942 for a three-part treble choir. The work consists of 11 movements based on Christmas carols from the 15th century. The Divas will also perform familiar early carols like Lo How a Rose Ere Blooming, Coventry Carol and A Very Merry MadrigalSeating will be limited to 100 (one-third of capacity) to allow for social distancing.  Safety protocols will be in place.

Last December’s Amahl and the Night Visitors brought holiday cheer to a diverse audience at the Salvation Army Chapel In Naples. The two organizations are enthusiastic about making it an annual event which includes a Harmony Choir pre-concert presentation. The Harmony Choir, an after school choral music  program is offered again this year at Fran Cohen Youth Center with increased enrollment. GO offers this service free of charge to existing after school programs that service at risk youth.

Make a reservation by visiting www.gulfshoreopera.org or calling 239-529-3925.

Full event details below. For more information or questions, contact Michelle Westley at 239-529-3925 or michelle@gulfshoreopera.org.

MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS: interviews available upon request

Lauren Davis, mezzo sopranoobtained her master’s degree in music performance at Southern Methodist University before moving to Fort Myers, where she teaches voice lessons. She enjoys singing chamber music, sacred masterworks, musical theatre, and jazz, and has been a featured artist with the Varna International Opera Academy, the Miami Summer Music Festival and Opera In The Ozarks.

Lydia Howery, mezzo soprano, holds a Master of Music degree in Voice Performance from The Boston Conservatory and a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Erskine College.  Her operatic roles include the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Prince Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus, and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni. Ms. Howery recently joined the adjunct voice faculty at Florida Gulf Coast University’s Bower School of Music

Mezzo soprano,Lauryn Kay performed the role of Flora in La Traviata with GO in Season 5. She also toured the region with GO Cabaret.  Last Christmas, Miss Kay performed the role of the Mother in Amahl in the Night Visitors with Gulfshore Opera. Some of her roles include La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi and Nursing sister in Suor Angelica with Opera Fusion. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Florida.

Daniela Magura is a German-American mezzo-soprano who is home from New York where she completed both her Masters of Music and Bachelors of Music at Mannes College of Music, The New School. She was a Young Artist with The Chautauqua Opera Company this season, which put together its first ever Virtual Season. Operatic credits include performances of The Little Prince with the Savannah Voice Festival, La Traviata with the Northern Lights Music festival, Cosi fan tutti at Opera America.

Marie Talley, soprano, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Florida. She has performed with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Singers.  She has enjoyed roles as Maria in West Side Story (Footlight Players, Charleston, SC) and Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (Kentwood Players, Los Angeles, CA. Marie currently works as Production Assistant for Gulfshore Opera and as a PRN Chaplain with Avow Hospice, and is a member of the GO Divas.

Venezuelan soprano, Erika Ramirez obtained her degree with honors in “Music Performance” at Universidad de Los Andes (Mérida- Venezuela. She also studied in Spain with Montserrat Caballéat the Stuttgart Bach Academy. On the concert stage, she has performed frequently with the main orchestras of Venezuela and as a  recitalist in Spain, Italy, Panamá, Perú and United States. Erika recently established residence in Ft Myers, Florida and is part of Gulfshore Opera staff as a teacher for the Harmony Choir and a member of the costume team.

Kelly Utterback, collaborative pianist is a well-known accompanist in Southwest Florida. During season, she enjoys playing in a jazz trio, as well as collaborating with colleagues at Artis-Naples, Florida Gulf Coast University, Gulfshore Opera, The Music Foundation of Greater Naples, and many local churches.

 

Opera Al Fresco

“Renaissance Christmas Carols”

December10 – 7:00pm

Breezeway at St. Leo’s, Bonita Springs

Tickets: $35 General Admission

 

“Renaissance Christmas Carols”

December13 – 6:00pm

Salvation Army, Downtown Naples

Salvation Army, Downtown Naples

Tickets: $35 General Admission

 

“Renaissance Christmas Carols”

December17 – 7:00pm

The Gulf Theatre, Punta Gorda

Tickets: $35 General Admission

About Gulfshore Opera

Your regional opera company serving three counties, Gulfshore Opera presents the highest quality of opera theater and vocal music performances while maximizing accessibility for diverse audiences of all ages. Gulfshore Opera was founded with core values of a community based creative collaboration. The company also promotes community well-being through musical education programs. Its mission is to make opera accessible to the general public by maintaining affordable ticket prices, and a wide range of performance experiences suitable for diverse audiences.

 

 

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