Gulfshore Opera Season 9 Music and Cultures 2022-2023

Season 9- A meld of Music and (World) Cultures–  Gulfshore Opera is Southwest Florida’s regional opera company serving communities from Punta Gorda to Marco Island. In its ninth season, the company will explore the music of Latin America and stage two operas set in Spain in partnership with Collier County’s Celebration of Hispanic Arts and Culture “¡ARTE VIVA!“. Other music and culture themes include Songs of Ireland and Around the World in Song. Recognized as the only touring opera company in Florida, GO plans a total of 40 performances at 20 different venues to serve residents and visitors in Punta Gorda, Ft. Myers, Sanibel Island, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples and Marco Island. The opera company will administer this ambitious schedule from its new headquarters in Estero.

Activities begin in November with Latin Infusion! on tour November 3-17. Attendees will experience a kaleidoscope of Latin music including boleros, zarzuela and Latin pop, by Gipsy Kings, Santana and others. Performing this Hispanic Heritage concert are Fernando Gonzalez(a member of the Latin Divo from Cuba ) and GO Diva, Erika Ramirez (from Venezuela) accompanied by guitarist, pianist, and percussionist- all from Cuba. Also in November, GO Divas, the popular young women’s vocal ensemble, returns for their fourth fall tour, November 13-16.

The high season Community Concerts kick off with Opera to Broadway, American Composers which can be seen at many intimate venues between January 19 and February 4. The program will consist of selections from American opera, songs and musicals by Gershwin, Porter, Sondheim and others. Gulfshore Opera’s Professional Artists in Residence perform with piano accompaniment.  Also in January, GO returns to Daniels Pavilion at Artis-Naples with Mostly Mozart. This concert presented by a quartet of Gulfshore Opera artists will explore melodic beauty, formal elegance and richness of harmony with a variety of scenes and arias by Mozart and the Italian masters, Rossini and Donizetti, who followed him.

In February the company presents the first of two full scale productions- The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini tours three counties February 19- 26.This classic comedy with a playful energy that springs from Rossini’s ebullient music will be presented in a whimsical new production inspired by the art of Antoni Gaudi.

As a non-profit with an active social initiative for at risk students, GO places great importance on its annual fundraising opera gala. Save the date March 12 for the Gulfshore Opera Gala, the company’s signature fundraising event. The event begins with the “Bel canto to Bernstein” concert at Vanderbilt Presbyterian church, starting at 4PM. Those who purchase the Gala package, will move to The Club at the Strand ballroom for an elegant dinner and fundraising activities following the concert.

Celebrate the rich heritage of our kin from the Emerald Isle with Songs of Ireland, March 8-15.  Back by popular demand, the GO Divas will perform beautiful traditional and contemporary Irish song arrangements in the style of Celtic Woman and others, with piano, fiddle and drum accompaniment.

 The community concerts continue with Around the World in Song which visits all three counties March 28-31. In this series, GO artists will take you on a wide ranging musical journey performing popular and classical songs from around the world!

The season 9 finale grand opera production is Don Giovanni. Mozart’s dark comedy, set in 18^th century Spain, is known as one of the greatest operas of all time. Based on the Spanish legend of Don Juan, this philandering hero blazes a path to his own destruction in a single day! The company plans a full scale production in partnership with Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and featuring renowned soloists with lush sets and costumes and the GO chorus. Experience this classic opera at Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall on April 21 and Artis—Naples on April 30.

Full event details below. For more information, visit www.gulfshoreopera.org or call GO Headquarters at 239-529-3925.

FEATURED PHOTO: GO DIVAS

GO Divas Concert
November 10th, 2022
Lawn Stage at Mercato, Naples

Tickets starting at $35

Latin Infusion! Concert & Dinner
November 17^th, 2022
bodega Olè, Naples

Tickets: $150

Mostly Mozart

January 26^th, 2023

Daniels Pavilion at Artis – Naples

Tickets: $55

Opera to Broadway, American Composers
February 4^th, 2023
Innovation Hotel, Naples

Tickets: $100 (with hors d’oeuvres & dessert)

The Barber of Seville

February 26^th, 2023

Silverspot Cinema Theater #12, Naples

Tickets: $125 (includes Concert &Meet the Artists Reception)

Gulfshore Opera Gala 2023
March 12^th , 2023
Concert: Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, Naples
Reception & Dinner: The Club at the Strand
Concert Only Tickets starting at $45, Gala Package: $300

Songs of Ireland
March 15^th, 2023
St. Leo Parish Life Center, Bonita Springs

Around the World in Song
March 28^th , 2023
St. Leo Parish Life Center, Bonita Springs

Tickets starting at $50

Don Giovanni
April 30^th, 2023
Hayes Hall at Artis – Naples

Tickets starting at $45

 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.