St. Petersburg Opera Presents 'Opera Idol' 11/20

On Saturday, November 20, 2010, at 7 p.m., fifteen singers will perform at Studio @620 in St. Petersburg Opera's version of "Opera Idol." These young singers have been participating in a series of workshops led by Maestro Mark Sforzini in which they have received extensive coaching in interpretation and performance techniques. In addition to over 12 hours of group sessions, each singer worked with Maestro Sforzini one-on-one. These workshops and coachings were made possible by a generous gift from the Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, as part of their Education Sponsorship for the 2010-2011 Season of St. Petersburg Opera.

Performing on the Nov. 20 program will be four St. Petersburg College Students:, Lauren Harbaugh, Linda Hines, Thomas Massey, and Erica Van Gordon; four USF students: Sarah Coit, Sarah Hageman, Ricky Marenda, and Courtney Jo Sousa; and community members: Yetta Bednarz, Michelle Moore, Melissa Misener, Caroline Ogle, Joseph Peterson, Joshua Quinn and Michelle Rego. Each singer will perform one selection with piano accompaniment. Expect to hear famous opera arias as well as some lesser known jewels of the repertoire and a few surprises. A celebrity panel including Metropolitan Opera soprano Stella Zambalis and Randy Locke, a noted tenor who has sung at many international opera companies, will offer constructive comments. Audience members will vote for an audience choice award. The program will last approximately 100 minutes.

Studio@620 is located at 620 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Tickets are $15 ($10 seniors and $8 students with valid student ID). Tickets may be purchased in advance on either the St. Petersburg Opera's website, www.stpeteopera.org or Studio @620's website, www.Studio620.org or by telephone at 727-823-2040.

Come and cheer and vote for your favorite singer: it's OK to pack the house with your friends!

Florida Suncoast Opera Guild's annual holiday fundraiser, Silver Bells, is coming up on December 3, 2010 at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., the Yacht Club's fabulous holiday decorations will put you in the mood. You can shop for gifts for yourself or your loved ones at the silent auction tables and at the "Opera-tunities" raffles. There are lots of one of a kind items, everything from loaded gift baskets, art works, jewelry, and gourmet dining experiences. Rumor has it that Maestro Sforzini has agreed to perform at one of the dinners if the bidding reaches $1,000. That dinner includes 12 people, lots of wine, and will be a gourmet feast.

On December 3, after the first course is served, St. Petersburg Opera singers have prepared a program reflecting the theme of Jesters and Jewels, with a piece orchestra led by Maestro Sforzini. You can pretty much count on hearing something from Rigoletto and some of the wonderful songs about jewels such as 'Glitter and Be Gay'. Featured singers include Todd Donovan, Phoenix Gayles, Sara Peeples, and three participants in SPO's EA workshops, Linda Hines, Caroline Ogle, and Joshua Quinn. The program also includes the presentation of the Cultural Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the arts in St. Petersburg.

The event raises money for FSOG's College and Young Professional Singer Competition, the High School Singer Competition, and for supporting St. Petersburg Opera's education programs such as the SPO "Idol" program mentioned above.

Tickets for Silver Bells are $60, include valet parking at the Yacht Club, and can be purchased by calling Carol Ellis at 727-525-2237.

Don't forget that SPO offers gift certificates that can be used for any of our performances. Save yourself a lot of trouble and time and just buy everyone an SPO gift certificate. What could possibly be better? Just call 727-823-2040 with your shopping list.

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