PERFORMING ARTS
open the Olympic games.” Voigt returned, along with Paul
Plishka in 2008-2009, she in solo concert, he in VBO’s full
production of “Don Pasquale.”
Voigt is considered by many to be the greatest Wagnerian
and Strauss soprano of our time, Joan says. Voigt’s relationship
44
with the Ortega-Cowans and Vero Beach Opera has put
the city on the map in the opera community. “She has been
an inspirational driving force behind Vero Beach Opera. Not
only has she so generously and graciously performed for
VBO audiences since 2004, but Ms. Voigt has joined with Vero
Beach Opera to found the Deborah Voigt/Vero Beach Opera
Foundation under whose auspices she mentors young opera
singers,” Joan says. Soprano Christina Borgioli was selected
by Ms. Voigt as her very first protégée.
Giordani has appeared with VBO the past two seasons, with
Voigt in an intimate performance and with the Brevard Symphony
Orchestra under the renowned maestro Steven Mercurio.
Vero Beach Opera played a major role in bringing live
HD broadcasts of Metropolitan Opera performances to the
Majestic Theatre several years ago. Vero Beach is the smallest
community in the country to participate in the broadcasts.
Last season, Voigt was seen on the screen several times. In
an interview on WQCS’ Arts Spotlight, she called being seen
on the big screen “a very daunting kind of experience. … You
know the camera is showing every little nuance of your performance.
You definitely have to be ‘in the moment,’ thinking
about your character and not being distracted.”
With arts organizations and nonprofit groups falling by the
wayside in a tough economy, Vero Beach Opera continues to
VERO BEACH OPERA
2011-2012 OPERA SEASON
ROSSINI’S “THE BARBER OF SEVILLE”
Full production with sets and costumes
Orchestra under maestro Robin Stamper
Frank McClain, Stage Director
Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center
Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 at 3 p.m.
BROADWAY, OPERETTA AND ZARZUELA CONCERT
Phantom of the Opera, Merry Widow, Cuban and Spanish
Zarzuela
Miami Opera Academy
Manny Perez, director
VBHS PAC
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 at 7 p.m.
LEONCAVALLO’S “I PAGLIACCI”
Starring Metropolitan Opera tenor Marcello Giordani
Full production featuring an international cast
Maestro Anton Coppola conducting the Brevard Symphony
Orchestra
Frank McClain, stage director
VBHS PAC
Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 7 p.m.
MASTER CLASSES CONDUCTED
BY MARCELLO GIORDANI
VBHS PAC
Monday, March 12, 2012 and
Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 2 p.m.
AN AFTERNOON WITH
LEGENDARY MET OPERA STAR
PAUL PLISHKA
VBO will present a Lifetime
Achievement Award to Metropolitan
Opera star basso Paul Plishka.
Dr. James A. Drake, renowned
biographer of opera stars such
as Richard Tucker, Rosa Ponselle
and Lily Pons, will interview him
about his lengthy career. Following
this part of the program, there
will be a viewing of the Metropolitan
Opera’s production of Verdi’s
“Falstaff” featuring Plishka in the
title role with sopranos Mirella
Freni and Susan Graham.
HOSTED BY AND HELD AT THE MAJESTIC THEATER
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 1 p.m
All programs subject to change.
Box Office: (772) 564-5537.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Web site: http://www.verobeachopera.org
>>
VB OPERA
Marcello Giordani offers a
master class in Vero Beach.
VB OPERA
Roman and Joan Ortega-Cowan received a Cultural Council of Indian River
County Laurel Award for their outstanding efforts in the arts community.
/www.verobeachopera.org