ANNOUNCEMENT FROM OPERA NAPLES, THEATER IN THE GARDEN AND THE LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION:

NAPLES, FL (January 14, 2025) – Opera Naples, Theater in the Garden and the Luciano Pavarotti 
Foundation jointly announce that a seven-figure gift has been secured for the intended purchase of 
land to build an international center for the arts in Naples. The funding source remains anonymous 
at this time.

As was announced in November 2023, Nicoletta Pavarotti, the President of the Luciano Pavarotti 
Foundation, has warmly accepted an invitation to create a U.S. home for her organization on this 
land. It is planned to be a multi-purpose space designed to honor the legacy and vision of the 
world- renowned tenor while also fulfilling the long-standing need for such a multi-use facility in 
Naples. The property will embrace a 900-seat state-of-the-art indoor theater, an outdoor 
amphitheater in a landscaped garden setting, an Opera Museum, The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation 
Opera Naples International Voice Competition and an Opera-themed Restaurant. It will be the first 
Foundation location to be established outside Modena, Italy.

“I am beyond grateful to our anonymous donor for guaranteeing the funding to purchase the land for 
our grand vision,” Nicoletta Pavarotti commented. “The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation has greatly 
enjoyed our partnership with Opera Naples over this past year, including our exciting performances 
happening this weekend of Don Pasquale and our International Voice Competition. We believe we have 
tremendous momentum started as our partnership continues to blossom, and we can all dream together with Theater in the Garden about the artistic greatness we will achieve in the years to come.”

Theater in the Garden will also house the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy, 
aligned with Luciano Pavarotti’s wish to see the continued advancement of the appreciation of all
forms of vocal performance, and the support, encouragement and development of the next generation

of exceptional young singers, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. The Academy will 
provide students with voice, acting and diction lessons, and provide opportunities to showcase 
their talent through public performances. The state-of-the-art indoor theater and the outdoor 
amphitheater in the surrounding gardens will be available for use by the Academy, and other 
performing arts groups based in Collier County.

Theatrical costumes worn by stars of the great opera houses of the world, and posters, scores, 
photographs, videos and a lifetime of memorabilia will be part of the Opera Museum.

Estimated to cost $25-30 million, Theater in the Garden will serve as a cultural epicenter for 
generations. It will host various performing arts, supporting members of the United Arts Collier 
and beyond, providing a place for both artists to showcase their talents and for the community to 
enjoy the arts like never before in Southwest Florida.

Through Theater in the Garden, Pavarotti’s musical legacy and the world opera tradition will 
profoundly impact the cultural arts of Southwest Florida and well beyond.

Those who are passionate about advancing world-class art and supporting the development of Theater in the Garden and the first U.S. home for the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation are encouraged to call (239) 404-6765 or email info@theaterinthegarden.com.

Theater in the Garden was conceived by founding member of Opera Naples Livio Ferrari and was 
further developed in partnership with Luciano Pavarotti’s widow, Nicoletta Pavarotti, The Luciano 
Pavarotti Foundation and a conceptual team. Filling a void in Southwest Florida's cultural and 
performing arts scene, Theater in the Garden will serve as an international center for the arts and 
the United States location for The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. For more information, visit 
theaterinthegarden.com.

The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation is a non-profit organization with a double goal: to keep alive the 
human and artistic memory of Maestro Pavarotti through major international events and to support 
promising young opera singers. For more information, visit lucianopavarottifoundation.com/en.

Opera Naples is an artistic powerhouse, dedicated to presenting high-quality opera productions and concerts featuring prominent international, national and regional performers and directors. Opera Naples has presented well-known grand operas such as La bohème, Carmen, Faust, La Traviata, Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, Tosca and more. An advocate of community service and education outreach, Opera Naples has introduced opera to more than 64,000 children since its inception through various programs, including in-school programs and performances in Lee and Collier counties, the Resident Artists Program and Summer Youth Program. The company is also committed to nurturing promising young talent through the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy led by a faculty of prominent opera luminaries who offer an immersive program of vocal instruction, lectures and masterclasses. In collaboration with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Opera Naples also hosts an International Voice Competition, in partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University. The company has earned local, regional and state government support. For more information, visit OperaNaples.org.

Opera Naples, Inc. • 2408 Linwood Avenue • Naples, FL 34112 • 239.963.9050 • OperaNaples.org