Opera del Sol

When authenticity is met with support, magic happens. That’s the kind of stage we’re building—together. 🎭🌈

From the spotlight to behind the scenes, we champion creative spaces where everyone can be their full, authentic selves.
That’s the kind of stage we’re building—together.
💙 Share your voice.
💙 More Than Music.

From the spotlight to behind the scenes, CFVA champions creative spaces where everyone can be their full, authentic selves.
Pride is about more than a parade.
It’s about presence.
Being seen.
Being celebrated.
Being you.
In honor of Pride Month, this is a gentle reminder that joy, self-expression, and love are radical acts of presence.
We see you. We stand with you. And we celebrate you. 🌟

Travel in time with us to the Colorado Silver Boom and experience The Ballad of Baby Doe - a rarely performed American Opera.
🇺🇸 An All-American Story.
Set in the gold rush era of Colorado, the opera is based on true events. It’s sung in English and filled with characters pulled straight from U.S. history. No subtitles, no barriers—just a great story.

🎟️ If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, now is the time. Recently featured by the Orlando Sentinel, come see why The Ballad of Baby Doe is making headlines in Central Florida.

Think the Opera isn't for you?
Here's what our Director, Eric Pinder, wants you to know:

Douglas Moore’s opera romanticizes life in the rugged mining towns of the American West, glossing over the stark realities of boom-and-bust economies, extreme poverty, and unchecked opulence. And as Augusta, Horace’s former wife, keenly suggests, not all of his business dealings were above board. Yet, opera is not the genre of historical scrutiny—it is the realm of passion, beauty, and the human heart. At its core, this piece is a love story, and few operas capture that spirit more poignantly than Baby Doe.

If this is your first time experiencing The Ballad of Baby Doe, you're in good company. Not only is this a Central Florida premiere, but many seasoned opera lovers have shared with me that this will be their first time seeing it staged.
At its heart, this is a timeless tale of love, ambition, betrayal, and heartbreak. Think historical drama meets real-life romance, all set to music that will move you.

GET TICKETS: https://www.drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2025/the-ballad-of-baby-doe/

🎭 Think Opera’s Not Your Thing? Think Again.

The Ballad of Baby Doe is the perfect introduction to opera—even if you’ve never seen one before. Here’s why this Central Florida premiere might just surprise you and here are the TOP 3 REASONS to come see our show!

🖤 It’s a Love Story First.
At its heart, this is a timeless tale of love, ambition, betrayal, and heartbreak. Think historical drama meets real-life romance, all set to music that moves you.

🇺🇸 An All-American Story.
Set in the gold rush era of Colorado, the opera is based on true events. It’s sung in English and filled with characters pulled straight from U.S. history. No subtitles, no barriers—just a great story.

🎤 A Cast That’ll Blow You Away.
Our performers bring every note and nuance to life. You won’t need a degree in classical music to enjoy this score. With lush, post-Romantic melodies, it’s emotional, cinematic, and easy on the ears—even for first-timers.

Whether you're new to opera or a lifelong music lover, you’ll be swept away by their voices and stage presence.

🎟️ Take the leap. Join us for The Ballad of Baby Doe and discover what opera can be.

https://www.drphillipscenter.org/events/tickets/2025/the-ballad-of-baby-doe/

Congratulations to our Executive Director, Theresa Smith-Levin, for this award from FAAE.

We are excited to announce: Theresa Smith-Levin, has been recognized by the Florida Alliance for Arts Education with the prestigious Dr. Mary Palmer Legacy Trailblazer Award!

The award is named after Dr. Mary Palmer, Ph.D. (a founder of FAAE) who is Professor Emeritus of the UCF College of Education and whose tireless work on behalf of arts education – and specifically arts integration – has gained her a national reputation as not only an advocate for arts education, but also as an individual who recognizes the transformative power of the arts.

As CFVA's Founder & Executive Director, Theresa fiercely fights for a better future for the whole community. In 2024, the Orlando Business Journal recognized Central Florida Vocal Arts as the single-fastest growing arts organization in the region! Earlier this year we were named Community Organization of the Year by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

We are so proud of the important work we're doing every day to further or mission: Equitable Arts Access For All and Performances That Inspire!

Theresa will receive the award this Saturday at the FAAE Summit Brunch. The awards brunch will celebrate all Leadership Award Winners at the FAAE 2025 Summit Awards Brunch on Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 12pm at The Doubletree by Hilton Downtown Orlando.

You can read the announcement on the FAAE.ORG website at either of the links below:

https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/faae-award/

https://www.faae.org/leadership-awards/dr-mary-palmer-legacy-trailblazer

✨We’re thrilled to see The Ballad of Baby Doe featured in the Orlando Sentinel! Thank you to staff writer Matthew J. Palm for taking such a thoughtful look at this premiere and the real-life story behind this American Opera. 🎭💛

This production is part of our mission to bring powerful, thought-provoking works to our community—and we are grateful for the spotlight.

🎟️ If you haven’t grabbed your tickets yet, now is the time. Come experience this poignant, rarely-performed American opera and see why The Ballad of Baby Doe is making headlines. VISIT CENTRALFLORIDAVOCALARTS.ORG/EVENTS

Become a subscriber to the to read the full story and support local journalism that uplifts the arts!

‘Baby Doe’ brings true story of love, money and scandal to the stage Opera del Sol will present “The Ballad of Baby Doe,” based on a real-life scandalous relationship in America’s Old West.

Join us in celebrating our Ensemble Cast of The Ballad of Baby Doe!

See our full cast list and learn more about the show:
https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/babydoe/

Chris Fahmie
Brianna Gutierrez
Katy Garner
Hannah Runner
Isabelle Kaltenbaugh
Mallory Latsko
Aidan Leary
Gio Murro
Nicholas Matthews
Mark Metivier
Marilyn Sharp

Youth Ensemble - Lyric Carden
Youth Ensemble - Anais Nisbett

Directed by Eric Pinder with music direction by Julian Bond, this masterpiece brings to life the unique history of the Colorado Silver Boom while exploring the complex dynamics of relationships and societal change through poignant melodies and heartfelt storytelling.

For a full cast list and more information about the show visit: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/babydoe/

Meet Our Ensemble Cast!

https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/babydoe/

Join us in celebrating our Ensemble Cast of The Ballad of Baby Doe!

See our full cast list and learn more about the show:
https://centralfloridavocalarts.org/babydoe/

Chris Fahmie
Brianna Gutierrez
Katy Garner
Hannah Runner
Isabelle Kaltenbaugh
Mallory Latsko
Aidan Leary
Gio Murro
Nicholas Matthews
Mark Metivier

Youth Ensemble - Lyric Carden
Youth Ensemble - Anais Nisbett

Directed by Eric Pinder with music direction by Julian Bond, this masterpiece brings history to life, exploring the complex dynamics of relationships and societal change through poignant melodies and heartfelt storytelling.