UF Opera

Congratulations, Rinoa!



Rinoa is the winner of UF Opera’s Comic Book Competition for our 2026 production of The Pirates of Penzance. Her artistic rendering of the story is just amazing!



Scan the QR Code and see the entire comic book.



There is one last chance to see our final performance at the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala, FL.



https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

Catch your last chance to see this amazing production!

UF Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance

Set sail with the UF Opera Theatre and UF Symphony Orchestra for a night of laughter, romance, and rollicking pirates! Follow Frederic as he wrestles with a truly ridiculous twist of fate: a leap-year birthday that keeps him tied to a band of soft-hearted pirates far longer than he ever imagined. Along the way, you’ll meet a blundering Modern Major-General, his chorus of daughters, and a cast brimming with mischievous creativity. The wit and spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved masterpiece shine in this delightful performance.



https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

It’s the time!!! Opening night!!!
UF Opera’s The Pirates of Penzance

Set sail with the UF Opera Theatre and UF Symphony Orchestra for a night of laughter, romance, and rollicking pirates! Follow Frederic as he wrestles with a truly ridiculous twist of fate: a leap-year birthday that keeps him tied to a band of soft-hearted pirates far longer than he ever imagined. Along the way, you’ll meet a blundering Modern Major-General, his chorus of daughters, and a cast brimming with mischievous creativity. The wit and spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved masterpiece shine in this delightful performance.


Friday, April 10th at 7:30 PM – Gainesville Phillips Center

Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 PM – Gainesville Phillips center

Sunday, April 19th at 3:00 PM – Ocala Reily Center

https://performingarts.ufl.edu/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

Set sail with UF Opera Theatre
An all-student Pirates of Penzance brings comedy, music, and over 40 performers to the stage.

For more details, check out the article:

UF Opera Theatre to stage student-led ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ at Phillips Center - The Independent Florida Alligator The UF Opera Theatre will present “The Pirates of Penzance” this April at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featuring an all-student cast and a free outreach performance for Alachua County schoolchildren.

Official Announcement (poster): The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan title, performance dates, and ticket link.



Set sail with the UF Opera Theatre and UF Symphony Orchestra for a night of laughter, romance, and rollicking pirates! Follow Frederic as he wrestles with a truly ridiculous twist of fate: a leap-year birthday that keeps him tied to a band of soft-hearted pirates far longer than he ever imagined. Along the way, you’ll meet a blundering Modern Major-General, his chorus of daughters, and a cast brimming with mischievous creativity. The wit and spirit of Gilbert & Sullivan’s beloved masterpiece shine in this delightful performance.



Friday, April 10th at 7:30 PM – Gainesville Phillips Center

Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 PM – Gainesville Phillips center

Sunday, April 19th at 3:00 PM – Ocala Reily Center



https://performingarts.ufl.edu/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

https://www.reillyartscenter.com/events/the-pirates-of-penzance/

The Pirates of Penzance | Reilly Arts Center Set sail with the University of Florida Opera Theatre and UF Symphony Orchestra for an afternoon of laughter, romance, and ...

Join UF Opera for "Pirates and Other Adventures on the High Seas" an unforgettable evening of
Opera scenes that weave a tale of separation, conflict, and strife—lightened with moments of humor and culminating in acts of courage and reconciliation. Experience soaring melodies, tender lullabies, and iconic tunes inspired by swashbuckling pirate adventures and beyond.

Thursday, November 13th / 7:20pm – School of Music 101
Saturday, November 15th / 7:20pm – School of Music101

A heartfelt thank you to Allison Reade for her incredible work in organizing the North Florida Music Project HundredX Fundraiser last spring. UF Opera is deeply grateful for your dedication and enthusiasm. The funds raised will make a meaningful impact on our productions this season, and your support plays a vital role in our continued success.

UF Opera Outreach - Making Connections

UF Opera Theater students have had an outstanding year, starting with their Carnival of Souls opera scenes production in the fall and continuing with February’s double bill of Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi. Beyond the stage, students remained active in the Gainesville community through opera outreach in a variety of settings and reaching over 600 students. Lynette Pfund wrote an interactive outreach show for Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi, which she presented at Buchholz High School for the orchestra and band classes. Lauren Basara, Gavin Gallagher, Leela Sundaram, Sydnee Howard, Ron Earl Nicolas, Natalie Hamel, Nicole Corbett, Garrett Rosenbloom, and Ava Neary visited high school choir classes to perform arias and duets. Natalie Hamel and Sydnee Howard performed arias at Oak Hammock for the ILR Opera Class. On March 1st, during Alachua’s first Choral Pre-MPA, Lynette Pfund led choir workshops while Natalie Hamel and Nathan Pappachen assisted by running sectionals. The day's event concluded with Jillian Mersky, Sophia Derias Tawadrous, Ava Neary, Natalie Hamel, Emily Adams, Nathan Pappachen, Carter Mays, and Nicole Corbett performing arias and duets, followed by Pfund adjudicating the choirs in preparation for their upcoming MPA evaluations.

The highlight of UF Opera Outreach this year was The Music Within, a children's show featuring Malèna Budraj, Elizabeth Offerle, Sofia Romao, and Sophia Derias Tawadrous. Designed by the cast and written by Lynette Pfund, the show follows four friends who read a book on music through the ages—only to find themselves magically singing as they uncover their own inner brilliance. The Music Within was performed at Girl’s Place afterschool program, Headquarters Library, and Premier Preschool.

Special thanks to Brian Hargrove, who accompanied UF Opera Outreach at every performance this year. His support made it possible for us to bring live opera to so many young audiences.

Thank you to Lynda Preston at the Gainesville Headquarters Library for her generosity in providing a performance space this past Monday for UF Opera's outreach show "The Music Within".

Thank you to Brian who so kindly accompanies the UF Opera Theater students.

Congratulations to the cast:
Malèna Budraj as Cadence
Sophia Derias Tawadrous as Harmony
Elizabeth Offerle as Melody
Sofia Romao as Aria

It has been so much fun putting the show together and sharing it with enthusiastic audiences.

TODAY!!!
“The Music Within” - UF Opera’s Spring Outreach Show

WHERE: Gainesville Headquarters Library, Storywoods Room
WHEN: Monday, March 31st
TIME: 3:30pm

FEATURING:
Malèna Budraj as Cadence
Sophia Derias Tawadrous as Harmony
Elizabeth Offerle as Melody
Sofia Romeo as Aria