OPERA NAPLES ANNOUNCES 2024/25 SEASON
Highlights include An Evening in Paris Gala, a partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation which includes an inaugural International Voice Competition and Academy, and the fifth annual 2025 Festival Under the Stars, a two-week, outdoor opera and performing arts festival.
NAPLES, FL (August 2, 2024) – To further its mission of presenting quality opera, musical performances, education and community engagement programs, Opera Naples announces exciting plans for its 2024/25 season. The season, conducted by Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director and City of Naples Cultural Ambassador Ramón Tebar, includes diverse performances of opera at the Wang Opera Center, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy, the inaugural Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition in collaboration with the Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School of Music and the Arts and the fifth annual Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars, held outdoors in downtown Naples’ Cambier Park. Opera Naples also remains committed to providing extensive in-school and community music education programs, impacting over 4,000 students each year, supported by events such as EuroFest on August 26, 2024, as well as the annual gala fundraiser “An Evening in Paris,” on December 5, 2024.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar said: "We are back to performing as many operas as before the pandemic, including La bohème, The Magic Flute, The Mikado and Don Pasquale. We are bringing back the Academy that we founded with Renata Scotto, now enhanced with our deepening collaboration with Nicoletta Pavarotti and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. And something new! Again, in close partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, we are welcoming the International Voice Competition which the famed Italian tenor held for so many years in Philadelphia. As part of this competition, we are forging new partnerships with the San Francisco Opera's Adler Program, which will bring several of their fellows to participate in our Festival Under the Stars, plus Festival of the Arts BOCA, Florida Grand Opera, Ópera de Bellas Artes del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes (Mexico) and the National Voice Competition of Argentina’s Ministry of Culture in Buenos Aires, in addition to continuing our wonderful collaboration with Gulfshore Ballet in two performances of Sleeping Beauty."
Nicoletta Pavarotti added, “I am grateful to Opera Naples and the city of Naples for such a warm welcome and appreciate the great enthusiasm everyone feels for the legacy of my late husband. As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of my husband’s birth in 2025, I am beyond excited that Opera Naples now carries on the legacy of the International Voice Competition, which was a cherished project that helped launch so many great opera careers. There is no better way to commemorate Luciano than with a season which emphasizes the development of the next generation of young singers.”
2024/25 Season
2025 OPERA NAPLES FESTIVAL UNDER THE STARS
Cambier Park, February 27 to March 16
Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar leads the festival’s musical activities, conducting the Naples Festival Orchestra. The festival is notable for being the only outdoor winter opera festival in the United States. Festivalgoers will enjoy three fully staged operas featuring internationally renowned artists, plus collaborative evenings with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, San Francisco Opera’s Adler Program, Festival of the Arts BOCA and Gulfshore Ballet. Tickets: $28-$152. VIP Tables start at $390, including access to a VIP check in from 6-7pm.
Feb 27 The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Pavarotti’s Voices Concert, 7pm
Feb 28 The Magic Flute by Mozart, 7pm
March 1 Family and Community Day, 10am
March 1 The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Pavarotti’s Voices Concert Travels to Boca, 7:30pm
(note location: Mizner Park, Boca Raton)
March 2 The Magic Flute by Mozart, 7pm
March 3 The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Celebrates Luciano’s 90th Anniversary:
Reflections from Nicoletta Pavarotti, 7pm (note location: Wang Opera Center)
March 6 La bohème by Puccini, 7pm
March 7 The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan, 7pm
March 8 La bohème by Puccini, 7pm
March 9 The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan, 7:30pm
March 15 Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky, performed by Gulfshore Ballet, 7pm
(note location: Wang Opera Center)
March 16 Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky, performed by Gulfshore Ballet, 7pm
(note location: Wang Opera Center)
THE LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION
PAVAROTTI’S VOICES CONCERT
The winners of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition will take the stage on opening night of the 2025 Opera Naples Festival Under the Stars! This exceptional concert marks the beginning of a spectacular festival, showcasing the talents of some of the world's most gifted vocalists. Nicoletta Pavarotti, president of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, will graciously host the event.
THE MAGIC FLUTE by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The Magic Flute is a sublime blend of music, comedy and fantasy. Composed in 1791, this tale of love, betrayal and redemption continues to mesmerize audiences with its enchanting arias, charming characters and enigmatic themes. This production promises to transport you to a world of wonder and magic, with Mozart's timeless music and the stars shining bright above. Sung in German with English surtitles.
LA BOHEME by Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini's iconic opera, La bohème, is a poignant and passionate portrayal of young love and artistic passion set against the vibrant backdrop of 19th-century Paris. This beloved masterpiece, composed in 1896, follows the tragic tale of Rodolfo and Mimi's doomed love affair, brought to life by Puccini's lush music and memorable characters. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
THE MIKADO by Gilbert & Sullivan
The Mikado is a witty and whimsical tale of love, politics and absurdity set in ancient Japan. This lighthearted masterpiece, composed in 1885, follows the misadventures of Ko-Ko, a hapless executioner, and Yum-Yum, a beautiful maiden, as they navigate a web of silly laws and absurd regulations. Sung in English.
SLEEPING BEAUTY by Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Join Gulfshore Ballet as they present Sleeping Beauty, renowned as a masterpiece of music, dance and storytelling. Composed by Tchaikovsky in 1889, it is a testament to his genius and a showcase for a dancer’s technical skill. The ballet follows the fairy tale romance of Princess Aurora and her Prince Phillip, with a score that took Tchaikovsky just 40 days to complete.
THE LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION CELEBRATES LUCIANO’S 90TH ANNIVERSARY: REFLECTIONS FROM NICOLETTA PAVAROTTI
As the world celebrates the 90th anniversary of Luciano Pavarotti’s birth in 2025, President of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Nicoletta Pavarotti shares details from her life with the famed tenor. Hear about her adventures with her late husband, including her legendary management of the Pavarotti & Friends benefit concerts, as well as her most recent professional accomplishments and pursuits.
FREE Family & Community Day!
This event features activities and special performances for the whole family. Children’s themed opera performance by Opera Naples Resident Artists at noon, plus fun activities and games, bounce house, face painting and balloon artistry. Admission is free; no tickets required.
Additional Performances and Educational Events
ARTISTIC VISION OF LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION
Wang Opera Center, January 12, 2pm
President of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Nicoletta Pavarotti will offer opera students her professional insight into how aspiring opera singers can build successful careers, including the best use of leveraging media for professional advancement. In Luciano Pavarotti’s spirit of welcoming all people into the opera world, attendees will be able to speak in depth with Nicoletta Pavarotti in a Q&A format. In this round table discussion, she also will share an overview of the significant work of her Foundation as well as her vision for expanding the Foundation’s impact in the Naples community.
The Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy: DON PASQUALE
January 7-19, with performances at the Wang Opera Center on
January 17, 7pm and January 19, 2pm
Experience the comedic masterpiece Don Pasquale like never before as the talented Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples Academy participants, featuring rising opera stars from around the world, bring their exceptional vocal prowess and artistry to this beloved opera. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.
THE LUCIANO PAVAROTTI FOUNDATION OPERA NAPLES
INTERNATIONAL VOICE COMPETITION
U. Tobe Recital Hall, Bower School of Music & the Arts building,
Florida Gulf Coast University
January 16-18 with Final Round open to public on January 18, 7pm
The inaugural Pavarotti Opera Naples International Voice Competition, presented by Opera Naples in partnership with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation and The Bower School of Music & the Arts at Florida Gulf Coast University, is set to take the opera world by storm by bringing together talented up-and-coming singers from around the world to compete for coveted contracts with top opera houses. Celebrating the 90th anniversary of the legendary tenor’s birthday, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation is proud to recreate these popular competitions which the famous maestro arranged in Philadelphia many years ago.
Other Engagement Events
EUROFEST 2024
Sea Salt, August 26, 2024, 6pm
Join us for an unforgettable evening of fine dining and opera at EuroFest, a sumptuous culinary experience paired with live performances, all while supporting Opera Naples’ vital educational programs. Coloratura soprano Maria Aleida Rodriguez, who tours the world with the legendary Andrea Bocelli, and accomplished tenor Eduardo Salles will provide an evening of fabulous operatic entertainment.
AN EVENING IN PARIS GALA
Royal Poinciana Golf Club, December 5, 2024, 5:30pm
Join chairs Jan and Kim Kantor, Opera Naples Committee and Board members and other supporters and fellow opera enthusiasts as we celebrate and support Opera Naples’ impact in the community, with an evening of classic operatic performances curated by Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar, plus cocktails, dinner, live auction and dancing.
Opera Naples Guild TOASTS
Wang Opera Center, January 8, January 29 and February 12, 2025, 4pm
Learn about the composer, historical context, story, characters and musical themes of upcoming productions including Don Pasquale, The Magic Flute and La bohème. Dr. Tom Cimarusti, Florida Gulf Coast University Professor of Musicology in the Department of Bower School of Music & the Arts, will present an entertaining, informative and educational lecture about the opera with Q&A. Afterwards, wine and light bites will be served as together we TOAST the upcoming Opera Naples production.
Ticket availability varies by event. For tickets, please visit OperaNaples.org. Millennium Club and members may purchase tickets with Concierge Ticketing by calling Rita Albaugh at 239-963-9050 or emailing ralbaugh@operanaples.org.
Opera Naples is grateful for sponsorship support from PNC Private Bank, Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Gulfshore Life, The Naples Press, Gulfshore Ballet, John and Nicky Pepe, The Aielli Group, Crown Jewelers, Turk & Turk, Winfield Coffee, City of Naples, Collier Community Foundation, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, Florida’s Paradise Coast.