Florida Grand Opera's BEFORE NIGHT FALLS Continues Thru 3/25

The early reviews for Florida Grand Opera's production of Jorge Martín's powerful opera Before Night Falls have appeared, and critics agree that the work represents a bold and adventurous step forward for the company that is the oldest continuously operating performing arts organization in the state of Florida.

In South Florida Classical Review, David Fleshler praised the company's risk-taking spirit and singled out General Director and CEO Susan T. Danis for her commitment to "broaden the company's audience and give less familiar works the chance to be performed." In The Palm Beach Arts Paper, Greg Stepanich echoed the sentiment, observing that Danis "is continuing to remake her company into one that is culturally relevant rather than simply an aural museum. Before Night Falls would have been literally unheard of at the old FGO."

Based on the acclaimed memoir by Cuban poet Reinaldo Arenas, Before Night Falls deals with the author's impoverished Cuban childhood, his persecution as a gay dissident writer under the Castro regime, his flight to the U.S. in the 1980 Mariel Boatlift, and his difficult final years in New York when he was dying of AIDS. It is an intensely dramatic and often shattering bio-opera that expresses FGO's mission to present works that resonate with contemporary audiences.

The press has given Before Night Falls a thumbs-up for being a memorable musical experience. The Palm Beach Arts Paper called it "a strong score in its brilliant orchestration, its bigness at points of high drama...brought together with great skill and impact." In The Miami Herald, Celeste Landeros wrote of "the beauty in Martín's lush score, which is accented with hints of Cuban folklore and pop." South Florida Classical Review applauded Martín's score for being "eclectic in the best sense, sensitive to character, setting, and situation."

As Arenas, baritone Elliot Madore has received unanimous critical raves that seem certain to propel his fast-rising career into even higher gear. "A stellar performance," wrote South Florida Classical Review. "Madore was a tireless performer, singing with vigor...He sang with stentorian power..." The Palm Beach Arts Paper called Madore's "a splendid lead performance," and agreed that he "well deserved his curtain call ovations from the large Saturday night house." In Classical Voice North America, John Fleming hailed Madore for his "marvelous marathon performance."

Reviewers also gave generous mention to the supporting cast, headed by soprano Elizabeth Caballero, tenor Dinyar Vania and baritone Calvin Griffin, whose portrayal of Arenas's nemesis Victor was deemed "a terrific performance" by The Palm Beach Arts Paper. The same critic found that the FGO chorus, under the direction of Katherine Kozak, "sang with power and majesty."

Christopher Allen, currently the John L. Magro Resident Conductor at Cincinnati Opera, made an enthusiastically received debut at FGO. "He got excellent results from his orchestra, which played this demanding score brilliantly," said The Palm Beach Arts Paper. "The orchestra, conducted by Christopher Allen, gave a vigorous, richly textured performance," wrote South Florida Classical Review. "The orchestra plays magnificently," observed Jeffrey Bruce in Talkin' Broadway.

"I am delighted that our attempts to move Florida Grand Opera forward are being recognized," says Susan T. Danis. "The reception that Before Night Falls has received is the greatest reward any company could hope for."

Before Night Falls concludes its run at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Ats of Miami-Dade County's Ziff Ballet Opera House this weekend: Friday, March 24, 2017 and Saturday, March 25, 2017. Both performances are at 8 pm. For tickets, go to www.fgo.org or call (800) 741-1010.

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