Kathy And Steve Miller Honored At Opera Orlando's 3rd Annual Gala!

Opera Orlando will hold its third annual gala celebration-Una Serenata Italiana! (An Italian Serenade!)-in honor of company founders Kathy and Steve Miller on the evening of Friday, April 20. The setting will be the award-winning Alfond Inn at Rollins College in Winter Park, and the evening will include opera performances from a quintet of nationally renowned soloists accompanied by pianist Robin Stamper, special tributes to the honorees, and a silent auction. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a formal dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Orlando Sentinel's "Taking Names" columnist, Scott Maxwell, will host the gala.

"As it should be, the whole evening will be a reflection of Kathy and Steve," explained John Wettach, president of the board of directors of Opera Orlando. "They are Winter Park residents, making the Alfond Inn the perfect venue for this celebration. Each performing artist has a special connection to the Millers. And even though they are ubiquitous in their support of Central Florida arts and culture, opera has always been their primary passion. Their house and its grand room, which doubles as a concert space, have become the home court for the region's opera."

The Millers, both South Dakota natives, moved to Orlando in 1978. Shortly thereafter, Kathy became a stalwart supporter of and performer with the Orlando Opera. After the company's demise in 2009, she and Steve became founding members of the Florida Opera Theatre, the precursor to Opera Orlando, where she currently serves on the board as the chair of the artistic advisory committee.

The vocal soloists for the evening include sopranos Bridgette Gan and Julia Foster; mezzo-soprano Robyn Rocklein; tenor Anthony Ciaramitaro; and baritone Scott Johnson.

"There's hardly an opera performer in Central Florida who hasn't been impacted by the generosity and support of Kathy and Steve ... including myself," said Gabriel Preisser, the executive and artistic director of Opera Orlando, who continues a successful career as a baritone. "Our Una Serenata Italiana theme affords us the opportunity to pull out all the stops and light up the gala with the glory of the Italian opera. The Millers-and everyone who attends-will love it."

All proceeds from the gala will go toward the operating budget of Opera Orlando, and, thus, a portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible. Corporate and group tables, as well as individual tickets, are available. The dress is black-tie. For reservations and additional information, please contact the Opera Orlando office at info@operaorlando.org or 407-512-1900 or visit http://operaorlando.org/gala.

Sponsors for Opera Orlando's third annual gala include the Bryce L. West Foundation, the Dr. Phillips Charities, Morgan Stanley, Sundance Printing, CNP Graphic Design Agency, and Winter Park Magazine.