St. Petersburg Opera Hosts EVENINGS WITH THE MAESTRO April 5
By: Gabrielle Sierra Apr. 05, 2011
What's your favorite opera melody? Come hear ten of Maestro Sforzini's favorites and why he thinks they are perfect 10s. We have some extra special talent on tap for this edition of EWTM. In addition to perennial favorites tenor Bryce Westervelt, soprano Phoenix Gayles, and baritone Joe Ryan, two singers who are new to EWTM will be joining us. Soprano Nicole Estima, a USF grad student, will perform the Queen of the Night aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute. Ronnita Miller, who is a graduate of Boca Ciega High, USF, Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard, is home visiting family and will sing two mezzo soprano arias from Samson et Dalila: the gorgeous "Mon Coeur s'ouvre à ta voix", and "Printemps qui commence". Ronnita is on the fast track to success, having completed two prestigious young artist programs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. She is singing in San Francisco Opera's Ring Cycle this summer, singing Erda in Siegfried and First Norn in Götterdämmerung. But wait, there's more! Sarah Shellman, principal second violin of the Florida Orchestra and concertmaster of our own St. Petersburg Opera orchestra, will play the "Meditation" from Thaïs and Maestro Sforzini will perform his own transcription of "Nessum Dorma" from Turandot. This in an Evening with the Maestro not to be missed!
We have about 25 tickets left as of 3:00pm on Tuesday, April 5, so buy your tickets in advance as the performance is quite likely to sell out before Thursday evening.And don't forget, we adjourn to Antonio's Pasta Grill after the performance for drinks and dinner. Come join us for a chance to chat with the cast. Evenings with the Maestro begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. at the Music Gallery, 5990 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater. Tickets are $15 ($10 seniors and $8 students) and can be purchased on our website www.stpeteopera.org or by telephone at 727-823-2040 or if available, at the door.Videos