OPERA IDOL, SOUTHERN BELLES AT SILVER BELLS and More Set for St. Petersburg Opera, Now thru Feb 2014

St. Petersburg Opera Company presents it's Fall/Winter listings from November 2nd to February 4th, including seasonal festivities, and Opera Idol, like the television show, only highlighting the opera talents of local youth.

Historic Kenwood Bungalow Tour, Saturday, November 2, 10 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

The building will be a stop on this tour of St. Petersburg's miracle neighborhood, with entertainment at 1:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. in our building. Bungalow tour tickets $15 available from www.historickenwood.org

Chamber Concert with Rebecca Penneys, Saturday, November 2, 4:00 p.m.

World renowned pianists Rebecca Penneys and Grigorios Zamparis, clarinetist Brian Moorhead, cellist Fred Gratta, bassoonists Mark Sforzini and Anthony Carlson, and sopranos Johanna Fincher and Vanessa Rodriguez join forces in music of Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Sforzini and more. $20 ($15 with Bungalow tix)

November 16, 2013, 7:30 p.m. OPERA IDOL

Part of St. Petersburg Opera's unique singer development program for locally based singers, Music in Motion is a series of masterclasses in which singers prepare two arias and receive constructive feedback and coaching from Maestro Sforzini.

Opera Idol, the sing-off that concludes the Music in Motion classes is a fun evening that gives each singer a chance to show what they've learned. Nine singers will compete but only one singer will win the title of Opera Idol as a result of audience voting. Previous winners have gone on to successful engagements with national companies. Tickets $15, available at SPO Box Office 727-823-2040. Held at Opera Central, 2145 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg.

OPERA IDOL - SUN CITY November 17, 2013, 2:00 p.m.

A second chance for the Music in Motion participants to wow an audience at the Rollins Theater, Sun City Center. A Sun City winner will be selected by audience voting. Tickets $12, available only at Sun City Center, 813-642-2001.

Evenings with the Maestro: What Makes Opera, Opera? November 21, 2013, 6:00 p.m.

What are the key components that give opera its distinct personality? What makes an opera 'grand'? What is the difference between opera and musical theater? Why is this art form the original multimedia experience and still relevant after hundreds of years? Maestro Sforzini will bring his special magic to answering these and other questions and will be joined by SPO resident artists in exploring our great passion.

Evenings with the Maestro is presented at the Music Gallery, 5990 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, at 6:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The programs address a different theme to enhance your understanding of opera and of music in general and last approximately 90 minutes. Afterwards, the audience is invited to join the Maestro and the cast for conversation and refreshments at a local restaurant. Details are announced at the performance. Tickets are $20 ($15 seniors and students) and are available by calling the office at 727-823-2040. Tickets are also available at the door.

Mornings with the Maestro: What Makes Opera, Opera? November 22, 2013, 11:00 a.m.

Mornings with the Maestro is presented at the Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr., NE, St. Petersburg, at 11:00 a.m.on the third Friday of selected months. The programs address a different theme to enhance your understanding of opera and of music in general and last approximately 90 minutes. Afterwards, the audience is invited to join the Maestro and the cast for conversation and refreshments at the Museum Cafe. Tickets are $20 ($15 seniors and students) and are available by calling the office at 727-823-2040. Tickets are also available at the door.

Southern Belles at Silver Bells, December 13, 2013, 11:00 a.m.

The Florida Suncoast Opera Guild's annual holiday fundraise, Silver Bells, with entertainment by the artists of St. Petersburg Opera and members of the opera orchestra. This year, the musical program will feature songs from Broadway shows with a southern theme, including Showboat, Mame, Porgy and Bess, and a sneak peek atSusannah. Singers include Todd Donovan and Susan Hellman. Luncheon, silent auction, presentation of the Cultural Achievement Award. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL. Chairman, Krista Whipple, 727-367-2975.

Seasonal Sparkle

December 21, 2013, 7:30 p.m., December 22, 2013, 2:00 p.m.

This one-stop holiday extravaganza combines parts of The Nutcracker, The Messiah, popular music, and grand opera, all in one performance! The ALL-NEW 2013 edition of Seasonal Sparkle will showcase the magnificent St. Petersburg Opera Chorus and Orchestra but will also feature dancers soloists from across the country. Co-sponsored by C1 Bank and Richard and Marita Rotella. We celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Richard Wagner with some of his most glorious music of hope, dreams, and celebration. Elizabeth Kataria and Hein Jung, fromt eh cast of SPO's critically acclaimed production of Ariadne auf Naxos, will be joined by baritone Todd Donovan and two SPO Opera Idols, Abby Colburn and Aleks Ritums. Robyn Rocklein rounds out the soloists. Join us for a salute to the holidays filled with glittering melodies and festive rhythms. It's not just another holiday program - it's a celebration of great music!

The Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave., N., St. Petersburg, FL

Tickets $21.50 to $64.50, available at 727-823-2040 or www.stpeteopera.org.

December 31, 2013 First Night St. Pete

St. Petersburg Opera will help St. Petersburg usher in the New Year with performances at St. Peter's Cathedral. Soloists and times TBA.

Thursday, January 16, 2014, 6:00 p.m. Evenings with the Maestro: "In New Hope Valley: The Tale of Susannah"

What's a girl to do? She only wanted to bathe in peace and look where it got her - accused of being immoral, seduced by a preacher, and shunned by the townspeople. The cast of Susannah, including SPO's own Susie Hellman (Susannah), will sing excerpts from the opera while helping Maestro Sforzini and baritone Todd Donovan (Reverend Olin Blitch) explain the plot and historical setting of this great American opera.

Evenings with the Maestro is presented at the Music Gallery, 5990 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater, at 6:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The programs address a different theme to enhance your understanding of opera and of music in general and last approximately 90 minutes. Afterwards, the audience is invited to join the Maestro and the cast for conversation and refreshments at a local restaurant. Details are announced at the performance. Tickets are $20 ($15 seniors and students) and are available by calling the office at 727-823-2040. Tickets are also available at the door.

Friday, January 17, 2014, 11:00 a.m.; Mornings with the Maestro: "In New Hope Valley: The Tale of Susannah"

A repeat of the Evenings with the Maestro program, with the cover artists performing with Maestro Sforzini's inimitable commentary.

Mornings with the Maestro is presented at the Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr., NE, St. Petersburg, at 11:00 a.m.on the third Friday of selected months. The programs address a different theme to enhance your understanding of opera and of music in general and last approximately 90 minutes. Afterwards, the audience is invited to join the Maestro and the cast for conversation and refreshments at a local restaurant. Details are announced at the performance. Tickets are $20 ($15 seniors and students) and are available by calling the office at 727-823-2040. Tickets are also available at the door.

Carlisle Floyd's Susannah

Friday, January 31, 2014 at 7:30 p.m, Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 2:00 p.m, Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

One of the most popular American operas, Susannah is the tale of an innocent Tennessee mountain girl who is accused of sinful behavior by the church-going elders of the town. Written in the 1950s the opera is surprisingly modern in its treatment of women's empowerment. Carlisle Floyd wrote this opera while a professor at Florida State University and our cast will feature a member of the original cast! Mr. Floyd will be in residence the week prior to the performances and events featuring him will be announced at a later date.

The opera stars Susan Hellman as Susannah, Todd Donovan as Olin Blitch, Scott Wichael as Little Bat, and Anthony Webb as Sam. Susan Hellman and Todd Donovan, both of whom have chosen to live in St. Petersburg, have impressive career credits throughout the country. Scott Wichael is Kansas City based but has also performed widely. Anthony Webb was hailed as a "nimble" young tenor by the New York Times.

Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave., St. Petersburg 33701 Tickets $21.50 to $64.50, available at 727-823-2040 or www.stpeteopera.org.

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