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music by Robert Xavier Rodríguez
book by Hilary Blecher
lyrics and monologues by Migdalia Cruz
Friday | January 26, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday | January 28, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
sung in English with some Spanish with English and Spanish supertitles
No one was more “All for Art” than the incredible Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo, and her life story takes Steinmetz Hall by storm this January as Opera Orlando presents Robert Xavier Rodriguez’s operatic celebration of the artist in Frida. This poetic and beautiful retelling of Frida’s life reveals a woman of extreme magnetism and originality, an artist whose sensual vibrancy came straight from her experiences: her childhood during the Mexican Revolution; a devastating accident at age eighteen that left her crippled and unable to bear children; her tempestuous marriage to muralist Diego Rivera and intermittent love affairs; her association with the Communist Party; her absorption in Mexican folklore and culture; and her dramatic love of spectacle.
Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s score, written for chamber orchestra, mixes mariachi-style orchestrations, classical opera, and hints of Mexican folk songs for an authentic, alluring musical reflection of Frida all played masterfully from the pit by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Argentinian maestro Jorge Parodi, who makes a return to the Company. Collaborating with maestro Parodi in developing this all-new production will be stage director John de los Santos making his Company debut. Opera Orlando welcomes back Mexican-American soprano Cecilia Violetta López to sing the iconic title role, and Venezuelan baritone Bernardo Bermudez makes his Company debut as Frida’s formidable husband Diego Rivera.
Full of life, full of death, full of wonder, full of pain: Frida is an operatic ride of the most satisfying sort—a sweeping tale of a woman who fulfills her most passionate desire and remains true to herself. Hardly any woman of the 20th century is as unique as Frida Kahlo, and hardly any work captures Frida’s spirit as completely as this opera’s intricate and proud portrait of the iconic Mexican artist’s life.
The cast also includes 2023-24 studio artists, members of the Opera Orlando chorus, and members of the Opera Orlando Youth Company. Frida will be sung in Spanish and English with Spanish and English supertitles and have a run time of approximately two hours and twenty minutes with one intermission.
Come join us in celebration as we Ring in the New Year in traditional German-American style, featuring the popular dance band, Sonnenschnapps Duo! Theme is Winter Wonderland Gala and we have everyone’s favorite Prime Rib, Cornish Game Hen or Pasta Primavera.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
7:00 pm Doors open, appetizers available
8 pm dinner; band starts (8pm – 1 am)
Dancing into the New Year!
Champagne Toast and Snacks at midnight
Beer, Wine and Well Drinks available for purchase.
Note: Call Drinks, Imported Wines and Imported bottled beers are available for $2/drink up-charge
Dinner:
Salad, Bread
Choice of Entrees: Prime Rib , Cornish Game Hen, Pasta Primavera
Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Veggies
Suggested Dress: cocktail or formal
General Public (not members of the German Club) Admission and Dinner
$75 per adult who is NOT a German Club Member
German Club Members ONLY: $65
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing spectacle featuring the jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth.
The Illusionists franchise has shattered box office records across the globe and continues to dazzle audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.
Join us for Dirty Dancing in Concert, the classic film’s first live film-to-concert experience. Enjoy the digitally remastered hit film like never before on a full-size cinema screen, with a live band and singers performing the film’s iconic songs. With a soundtrack that marked a generation, Dirty Dancing in Concert promises to bring a thrilling new and unique experience to the 80s classic.
Directly following the film, the band and singers will throw an encore party that will surely take you back to the time of your life as you sing and dance along to your favorite Dirty Dancing songs.
Immerse yourself in the timeless romance and experience one of the most memorable movies of the past 35 years – now live!
presents
music by Gaetano Donizetti
libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
Steinmetz Hall at
Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts
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The Silver GALA mission is to support elder care organizations by providing gifts during the Christmas holiday season. Our volunteers provide the momentum that helps us make a difference in the lives of the elderly. Our purpose is to spread some love and cheer to seniors living alone or feeling hopeless.
You must sign up on the Silver Gala website to be added to the Exclusive Gala Invitation List. They will let you know how to get your Exclusive Gala Tickets.
Food Stalls and Trucks Dance | Music | Games | Raffle | Yoga Meditation Fireworks FOR THE BIGGEST DIWALI CELEBRATION IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA Open to all!
$15 per person, kids under 18 free!
If you have never been to an opera, this one should be on your bucket list. The city of Orlando is truly blessed to have world-class opera right here at the Dr. Phillips Center at Steinmetz Hall.
Tosca was inspired by Giacomo Puccini when he saw the play, La Tosca in Rome by French playwright Victorien Sardou, in 1899. Obtaining the rights, he spent four years translating the work into Italian.
From entering Steinmetz Hall, a grand architectural marvel, you leave behind the turmoil of the world today and escape into the turmoil of Rome in 1800 during Napoleon’s threat of invading Italy. Josh Shaw (Stage Director) staged the performers perfectly with a well-balanced beautifully artistic set by Grant Preisser (Scenic Designer). Preisser framed the stage with large paintings that he selected by Anne-Louis Girodet, a famous French painter during the Napoleonic era.
This opera has one of the most romantic scores and the conductor, Eiki Isomura led the orchestra from power to the sublime.
We meet Floria Tosca, a diva who transforms from bitch, loyal bitch, heroine and ends with martyrdom. The amazing soprano, Eleni Calenos plays her perfectly with all the nuances and thoughtful acting transitions. Ms. Calenos sang the premiere aria, “Vissi d’arte” with so much emotion the audience was elated. Her acting was excellent and proved she could not only sing Tosca she became Tosca.
Nathan Granner (Tenor) was charming in his role as Cavaradossi, Tosca’s love interest and the town painter and revolutionary. His portrait of another beautiful woman is the cause of Tosca’s jealousy and suspicion in Act I. Granner hit with power and passion “E lucevan le stelle.”
While these two star-eyed lovers are bantering, Baron Scarpia, played by Daniel Scofield (Baritone) has other sordid and dark ideas to thwart their love. Wanting Tosca for himself, he has Cavaradossi arrested and plans his execution, pinning Tosca to decide if her love lives or dies. Scofield is excellent in this role as the villain with convincing wickedness.
The Opera Orlando Youth Company was an absolute delight. The children’s voices were heavenly.
In the words of stage director Josh Shaw, “I encourage you to get lost in this heart-wrenching story for the next two hours.”
Staggering in scope and almost mythical in magic, it feels remiss to refer to Walt Disney World as a mere theme park. Comprising four colossal parks, 32 hotels, more than 30,000 hotel rooms, and 200-plus restaurants across 43 square miles southwest of Orlando, the world’s most visited vacation park boasts some of the most famed attractions and characters on Earth, all housed within an area that’s twice the size of Manhattan.
So starts a great article about Walt Disney World, The Ultimate Walt Disney World Resort Travel Guide. Tips and tricks abound for your amazing experience at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Enjoy reading, and have a great vacation.
That’s right, Party Digest is expanding again. Our latest new city is Orlando, Florida. Our founder Lakhinder Vohra will be making his home there while we create our latest curated news about the Orlando area.
Party Digest brings you the latest news about events and products in your area. We focus especially on the supportive social structure – benefits, openings, etc. Our 25+ years of experience give us rare insight into the best opportunities for you to support local businesses and artists while having a fantastic time!
There’s so much happening right now in Orlando. Already acknowledged as the tourist capital of Florida, its transportation hub is getting better with the addition of Brightline which is starting their Orlando-to-Miami high speed rail service. And the attractions – Disney and Universal are just the tip of the iceberg. We’re excited by the bright future in this lovely city.
