St. Petersburg Opera Announces Puccini Festival 4/30

St. Petersburg Opera is launching its first themed festival on April 30, 2011. Dedicated to the music of Giacomo Puccini, the festival includes eight separate events and a total of over twenty performances. The company will produce two Puccini operas as part of the festival and will present two editions of its popular Evenings with the Maestro series. Young singers will be featured in an Emerging Artist Spectacular and an Opera Idol performance for local singers who participate in a St. Petersburg Opera workshop series. The company is hosting a gala fundraiser entitled "Puccini in Paradise", and a luncheon titled "Metamorphosis" in which an American soprano will be transformed into a Japanese teenage bride.

The Operas: St. Petersburg Opera and American Stage are collaborating to co-produce nine performances of Gianni (Johnny) Schicchi. The hilarious plot revolves around relatives jockeying to get an inheritance. Opening April 30, the one act comedy will be performed in English at the Raymond James Theater at American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg. Tickets range from $25 to $39.50 and are priced according to the date.

Puccini's masterpiece, Madama Butterfly, the story of a Japanese girl who renounces her ancestral faith and customs and enters into a marriage contract with an American naval officer, is one of the most popular operas of all time. St. Petersburg Opera will be staging this opera with full orchestra at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg on June 10, 12, and 14. Tickets are priced from $21.50 to 61.50.

Evenings with the Maestro: On May 5, Maestro Mark Sforzini will explore The Power of Puccini with the assistance of soprano Kathy Pyeatt, who appeared in SPO's productions of The Elixir of Love and in Don Giovanni. Pyeatt will sing arias from several Puccini operas and will be joined by tenor and pianist Joshua Quinn, who was the winner of St. Petersburg Opera's first Opera Idol. Sforzini will talk about what makes this music so popular and so musically interesting. On June 2, the program will be a preview to Madama Butterfly and will include arias and ensembles sung by the principals of the cast. Sforzini will guide your listening to enhance your appreciation of the opera. This performance will be repeated in Sun City Center on June 5. Evenings with the Maestro is held at the Music Gallery, 5990 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. Tickets are $15, ($10 Seniors and $8 students)

The Young Singer Events: The Emerging Artist Spectacular is a showcase for the young professional singers who cover roles in Madama Butterfly. Covers learn the role and the staging and are prepared to step in should a principal singer be unable to perform. The EA Spectacular gives these artists a chance to perform the highlights of their roles and is always an audience favorite. A male ensemble will also perform the quintet from the first act of La Boheme. Hosted by the American Lithuanian Club, 4880 46th Ave. N, St. Petersburg, the event on June 4 is open to the public. Tickets are $15.

Opera Idol is the culmination of five workshops that SPO will offer to local young singers. A gift from the Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, SPO's 2010-2011 Education Sponsor, makes these workshops possible at no charge to the participants. At the final performance, to be held at 7:00 p.m. on May 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Dr., St. Petersburg, ten singers will compete for an audience choice award and will receive performance feedback from celebrity panelists. Tickets are $15 ($10 Seniors and students.)

The Parties: What if Puccini had come to St. Petersburg? Surely he would think he was in Paradise. SPO's major fundraiser , May 20 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, will celebrate this imagined visit with dinner, a live auction, a silent auction, and entertainment by the Madama Butterfly principals. Major auction items will include unique entertainment opportunities, art work by Duncan McClellan, Lance Rodgers, and Claudia Strano, and vacation opportunities. Tickets to Puccini in Paradise are $125.

On June 3, join SPO at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House for lunch and a unique "backstage" experience. Makeup artist Sondra Nottingham will transform American soprano Lara Tillotson into Madama Butterfly. During the "Metamorphosis", Lara will talk about her preparation for the role and will model her costume.

Tickets are $35.
Tickets to all events are available from St. Petersburg Opera at 727-823-2040 or on our website: www.stpeteopera.org Metamorphosis and Puccini in Paradise are only available by telephone.

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