WHO: Florida Grand Opera
WHAT: FGO Studio Artists perform works from the final acts of operas, with commentary from Director of Artistic Operations Matt Cooksey.
WHEN AND WHERE: Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m., St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 1121 Andalusia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m., The Center for Spiritual Living, 4849 N Dixie Highway, Oakland Park, FL 33334
WHY: This entertaining and informative concert explores how composers often leave the best music for the last act.
Florida Grand Opera’s Studio Artists present “Songfest: The Final Act,” highlighting the stunning music that composers often save for the last act of their operas. Featured favorite ensembles include “Che mi frena in un momento,” the famous sextet from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, the thrilling bass-baritone duet “Suoni la tromba “from Bellini’s I puritani, the lively “Gallop Infernal” from Offenbachs’ Orpheus in the Underworld (known to most of the world as the Can-Can), and “Zitti, zitti, piano, piano,” the escape trio from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, among many others.
Interspersed with each piece are informative and entertaining live program notes provided by Director of Artistic Operations Matt Cooksey, who also gives the opera’s pre-show lectures. These notes are a signature component of the popular SongFest series.
“We had an especially good time planning this concert, with so many great repertoire suggestions, so I know our audience is going to have a great time as well,” said Neil Nelson, Studio Artist Program Manager. “The artists are very excited about these selections, and it’s always thrilling for our audiences to get to hear all six of these extraordinary voices singing together in these relatively intimate spaces.”
SongFest: The Final Act takes place on Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Coral Gables, and on Sunday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. at The Center for Spiritual Living in Oakland Park. Tickets are $10 general admission at fgo.org and free to donors and subscribers. Call 800.741.1010 for more information.