Opera Orlando Summer Concert Series Artist Release

Enjoy a preview of what to expect in the 2024-25 Destiny + Desire season as Opera Orlando once again launches its upcoming season with its annual Opera Orlando in Concert: Summer Concert Series. Subscriptions are now on sale for all three concerts which feature performances from world-class artists in the intimate setting of the University Club of Winter Park. During this annual concert series, audiences will enjoy a fun and varied selection of songs, arias, and duets from artists featured throughout the upcoming opera season. Following each concert, patrons can mix and mingle with the artists while enjoying wine and light appetizers during special post-concerts receptions.

“Subscriptions are selling fast for this year’s Summer Series, and, given seating is limited, patrons should act fast to secure their seats and experience these world class opera stars up close and personal,” stated Opera Orlando general director Gabriel Preisser. “There really is no better way to get ready for our upcoming season than attending these intimate, unique concerts. Each one will provide a special preview to the season along with special access to these exceptional artists through our post-concert receptions.”

A DUET WITH DESTINY

Sunday  |  August 11, 2024 at 2 p.m.

baritone Norman Garrett  |  mezzo-soprano Catherine Martin  |  pianist Ammon Perry Bratt

https://imgartists.com/roster/norman-garrett/ 

https://www.uiatalent.com/artists3/catherine-martin
 

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Norman Garrett and Catherine Martin are a husband and wife powerhouse whose vocals are out of this world. Mr. Garrett is returning to Opera Orlando to play the title role of Macbeth, but patrons will recognize him from his portrayal of Escamillo in the Company’s 2021 production of Carmen. Mr. Garrett’s booming baritone has earned him praise from the New York Times, which described him as “scene-stealing.” His exciting career has included performances as Jim in Porgy and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera, Foreman/adult James in Fire Shut Up in My Bones at both the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Metropolitan Opera, the Count in Le Nozze di Figaro at Seattle Opera, a recent concert performance of Carmina Burana at Carnegie Hall, and much more. Mr. Garrett is thrilled to return to Orlando to make his role debut in an all-new production of Macbeth at Steinmetz Hall conducted by Mark Sforzini with stage direction by Matt Haney. 

Another veteran of the Metropolitan Opera, Ms. Martin’s repertoire includes Verdi, Wagner, and Strauss. She has earned international acclaim for her gorgeous and warm vocal stylings, touring around the world and competing as the only mezzo-soprano at the 2017 International Viñas Competition, held at Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu. Her resume includes performances as Fricka in Dayton Opera’s Das Rheingold, Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana for Opera Colorado, Mistress Quickly in Maryland Lyric Opera’s Falstaff, and Waltraute in Die Walküre at Atlanta Opera. 

Mr. Garrett and Ms. Martin will be accompanied by local pianist Ammon Perry Bratt, who has toured internationally throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and New Zealand. Recently, he performed in Carnegie Hall and at the Austria Summer Music Festival, as well as Palais Montcalm in Quebec City and Assembly Hall in Salt Lake City. In addition to performing, Mr. Bratt works as a collaborative pianist, teacher, arranger, and church organist. 

Additionally, for this concert only, Opera Orlando’s general director Gabriel Preisser and artistic director Grant Preisser will present a special preview of the Company’s 2024-25 Destiny + Desire season.

DREAMS + DESIRES

Sunday  |  August 18, 2023 at 2 p.m.

soprano Lindsey Ohse  |  pianist Robin Stamper

http://www.lindsayohse.com/

Metropolitan Opera and Grammy award-winning soprano Lindsey Ohse is equally praised for her dazzling and clear voice as well as for her acting and emotive portrayals of many opera heroines. Her portrayal of Papagena in The Magic Flute, the crowned child in Macbeth, and Noémie in Cendrillon at the Met captivated audiences, as did her trilling and flourishing coloraturas as Violetta in OperaDelaware and Baltimore Opera’s productions of La Traviata. Ms. Ohse’s resume also includes performances as Musetta in La bohème with Annapolis Opera, Countess Adele in Le Comte Ory with Opera Southwest, and Eliza in Nico Muhly's Dark Sisters with OrpheusPDX.

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Ms Ohse previously stunned audiences as Gilda in Opera Orlando’s 2022 production of Rigoletto and is thrilled to return to the stellar acoustics of Steinmetz Hall to perform the title role in an original and whimsical production of Jules Massenet’s Cendrillon conducted by Noam Aviel with stage direction by James Marvel.

YOUR HEART’S DESIRE

Sunday  |  August 25, 2023 at 2 p.m.

tenor Dominick Chenes  |  pianist Robin Stamper

https://piperartists.com/portfolio/dominick-chenes/

Internationally-renowned lyric tenor Dominick Chenes will close out this year’s Summer Concert Series with a program of opera favorites as a sneak peek of his Opera Orlando company debut as Turridu in the double bill of Beatrice + Benedict / Cavalleria Rusticana this spring. Dubbed a “breakout star” by the Huffington Post, Mr. Chenes will return to the Metropolitan Opera later this year as Greenhorn in Moby Dick, where he previously performed the role of Cavaradossi in Puccini’s grand opera Tosca. Other recent performances include his house debut as Canio in I Pagliacci for the Sacramento Philharmonic, a return to Seattle Opera as Alfredo in La Traviata, and Don José in Carmen for Palm Beach Opera.

Both he and Ms. Ohse will be accompanied by Robin Stamper, who is a staple of the Summer Concert Series and a fan favorite in Orlando. Mr. Stamper is currently the artistic/managing director and chorus master for Opera Tampa and continues a versatile career as a coach-accompanist, chorus master, and opera conductor. 

All Summer Concert Series performances begin at 2 p.m. and take place at the University Club of Winter Park, located at 841 North Park Avenue, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Admission includes artist receptions following each concert, with light appetizers and wine graciously donated by Winter Park Wine. 

Enjoy this incredible line-up of artists for $125 for the entire series or $49 for each individual concert available through Opera Orlando’s website. Then lock in an Opera on the MainStage subscription today and save up to $65. Packages start at only $85 and are on sale NOW through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 839-0119, ext. 0. Individual tickets for 4 Lost Santas / Amahl and the Night Visitors and Treemonisha are also available as a special subscriber add-on.

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About Opera Orlando:     Celebrating, expanding, and sharing the world’s greatest art form, the 2024-25 season marks Opera Orlando’s ninth season producing high-quality operatic entertainment and educational programs that engage Central Florida audiences.

Stay up to date with Opera Orlando’s season online at www.OperaOrlando.org, and follow and like the Opera’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok accounts to share in all the Company has planned for 2024-25.

    See YOU at the Opera!