Pensacola Opera
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September 23. This extraordinary event is not only a memorable
celebration of opera, elegance, and entertainment featuring some
of the world’s most acclaimed opera singers, but also a celebration
to kick off the 40th Anniversary Season.
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See yourself, Tag yourself; then Share with your friends!
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The October issue of VIP Pensacola Magazine is now available on area news stands, with a digital version online 24/7!
Thank you for visiting, shopping and playing downtown. Thank you to the business owners who invest in downtown and the employees who work downtown. Thank you to those who live downtown and the visitors who enjoy Gallery Night Pensacola, Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, Foo Foo Festival, Palafox Market and other downtown events.
Thank you for voting Downtown Pensacola
🏃🏽 Winner—Best Place to Run / Walk
🎟 Runner Up—Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests
💙 Runner Up—Best Place to "Like" on Facebook
Thank you for voting
🌻 Winner—Best Makers / Craft Market
🎟 Runner Up—Best Regular / Reoccuring Event
🍅 Runner Up—Best Place to Buy Local Produce
🎉 Runner Up—Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests
And congratulations to all of the downtown businesses and events that were recognized as winners this year!
📸: Laura Bogan Photo
Ballet Pensacola Pensacola Children's Chorus Pensacola Eggfest, presented by KIA Autosport Pensacola Mardi Gras Bike Pensacola Community Maritime Park Rick Outzen The Crafted Makerie Jade Tree Succulents Mayor Grover C. Robinson, IV Pensacola Blue Wahoos Fiesta Pensacola The Graffiti Bridge Annie's Naked Cookies Mrs. Jones Cold Brew Odd Colony Brewing Co. Pensacola MESS Hall Pensacola Children's Museum BLAB TV Pensacola Opera
Thank you also to Board Member Leigh DeSantis for all her behind-the-scenes coordination of the color guard and singers.
📢 If you're a Northwest Florida local who has a passion for youth and the arts, and have professional experience that might benefit PCC, we still have some open spots. Please reach out so that we can start a conversation!
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Betty Berling, Community Volunteer
Meg Burke, Pensacola Young Professionals
Sheila Murphy Dunn, University of West Florida
Karla S Ent, Local Photographer
Rita Miller, DoD STARBASE Pensacola
Robby Rushing, Carver Darden
Alejandra Escobar Ryan, Altius Marketing
Jerome Shannon, Pensacola Opera (Retired)
Bill Shearer, PCC Family Representative (Owens Corning)
Mary McLeod Slocum, PCC Alumni Representative
Jimmy Stapleton, SouthState Bank
Brennan Uslan, PCC Singer Representative
Sherri Weeks, Friends of the Saenger & Community Volunteer
Lusharon Wiley, Innisfree Hotels
Curt has appeared in concert with over 40 symphony orchestras, singing both classically (Carmina Burana, Brahms’ Requiem, Faure Requiem, Handel’s Chandos Anthem No 5, Durufle Requiem) and as a Pops artist. As a voice-over artist, he has recorded commercials and promotional materials for clients including Planet Hollywood Casinos, Books Beyond Pages, Ethan Allen Furniture, and the syndicated PBS feature Northwest Explorer. As a director, Curt’s recent work includes Bigfork Summer Playhouse’s productions of 9 to 5, the Musical and Marvelous Wonderette, Utah Festival Opera’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia, concert stagings of The Merry Widow and My Fair Lady, and Central City Opera’s new Encores! Series featuring their festival artists and musicians performing the music of Broadway.
Upcoming engagements include Pirate King with Anchorage Opera, Major General Stanley in Pirates of Penzance with both Utah Opera and Atlanta Opera, Hucklebee in The Fantasticks with Utah Festival Opera, Gabriel Von Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus with Fort Worth Opera, Anton Schindler in Moises Kaufman’s 33 Variations, the Emcee in Atlanta Opera’s new production of Cabaret, and a much-anticipated post-pandemic return to the World Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Curt holds a master’s degree in Vocal Performance/Opera from Boston’s New England Conservatory. He resides in both New York City and Montana. https://youtu.be/1-b59b-d568
The two-story Opera House had two tiers above the main floor and could seat 1,400 people. Its stage was 50x60 ft., with 15 sets of scenery, foot-lights and four boxes. It could be rented for $100 per night.
For a time the First National Bank of Pensacola operated out of the Pensacola Opera House. Pensacola audiences saw many of the theatre industry's leading stars in over 1,600 productions throughout its history. Citizens from all classes were regular patrons.
Unfortunately, the Opera House was heavily damaged in two 1916 hurricanes, the last of which reached peak winds of 110 mph shortly before making landfall near Pensacola on Oct. 18. The building was demolished after receiving further damage from the Hurricane of 1917. Salvaged bricks and balcony railings were used in the construction of the Saenger Theatre.
[State Archives of Florida/Cottrell]
Pensacola Opera Plaza Ferdinand VII City of Pensacola - Government Visit Pensacola VISIT FLORIDA Historic Pensacola Pensacola Saenger Theater
November 3-14 Downtown Pensacola will bring the Pensacola Balloon Alley to the 2022 Foo Foo Festival. Congrats to all the 2022 Foo Foo Festival grant recipients!
Pensacola Little Theatre Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Pensacola Opera Pensacola State College Vacation Artfully Visit Pensacola Levin Papantonio Rafferty Law Firm University of West Florida Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival
We'll be sharing more details soon! *Please know our balloons are not standard balloons and are reusable, non-latex and environmentally safe ❤️ 🐟 🦅 🙂
Read all about it and the other great Foo Foo grant-funded events here: https://bit.ly/3MJQ1eh
Vacation Artfully Visit Pensacola VISIT FLORIDA Southern Living Pensacola News Journal Pensacola Little Theatre Jazz Pensacola Levin Papantonio Rafferty Law Firm Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Pensacola Museum of Art Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival Pensacola Opera Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. The Choral Society of Pensacola Pensacola State College
Pensacola Opera offers professional opera productions, arts education initiatives, and free events!

🎶 🌳 Opera Al Fresco is BACK! Bring your lawn chairs to the beautiful Seville Square on Friday, Sept. 22nd at 6 PM to hear lovely arias and musical theatre tunes in the fresh, evening air. Opera Al Fresco is a free event bringing music to parks and green spaces around our community.
See all of our upcoming community events: https://pensacolaopera.com/events/

🥪 Join us next week for our first Brown Bag Opera of the season! Tuesday, Sept. 19th at Noon at the Pensacola Opera Center - bring your lunch and enjoy well-known opera and theatre selections from our brand new 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists. Brown Bag Opera lasts about 45 minutes and is always free.
See all of our upcoming community events: https://pensacolaopera.com/events/

“It is proven that the stronger the arts in a community are, the stronger the economy. We want you to support the arts to help keep Pensacola a well-rounded and thriving city.” - Chandra Egger McKern, Pensacola Opera General Director. Read the inspiring words from the leaders of our local non-profit arts organizations in Inweekly Media Fall Arts Guide and see the lineup for some incredible shows and concerts this fall!
Fall Guide Part 1: Arts - Inweekly Pensacola has grown so much in the past several years. The same is true for its arts community. Each year, nonprofit arts organizations are working to build on the success and talent of the year before. And the city is better for it. “We are building upon our momentum from last year with an exciti...

Meet the 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists, arriving in Pensacola next week! 🎶 Tongyao Li is a Chinese pianist and opera coach who most recently joined the 2023 Songfest Program and Opera Coaching Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and School this summer. Ms. Li has performed on stages throughout China and US, including Carnegie Hall, Harris Hall and Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra Music Hall, and Shanghai Concert Hall. Her favorite quote: "If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney.
Learn more about all of our 2023-24 Studio Artists: https://pensacolaopera.com/studio-artists/

We would like to shed some light on our advancements in digital ticketing. The Saenger strives to provide our patrons with the most up to date guidance and technology.

"Be Opera Wild!" This is advice from our 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Julie Pecchia! We had such a blast celebrating her and her dedication last night and meeting so many people interested in volunteering for Pensacola Opera.
🎭 🎶
Learn more about becoming a volunteer and come join this passionate, vibrant group of individuals! https://pensacolaopera.com/bravi/

Meet the 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists, arriving in Pensacola next week! 🎶 Brazilian American baritone Bernardo Medeiros most recently was a Resident Artist with Syracuse Opera and Tri-Cities Opera , portraying Mr. Gobineau (The Medium), King Melchior (Amahl and the Night Visitors) and Antonio (Le nozze di figaro). And as a 2023 Apprentice Artist with Santa Fe Opera, he covered the Shepherd (Pelleas et Melisande) and Jailer (Tosca). Bernardo's stage ritual is to listen to hip-hop on the way to the theatre.
Learn more about all of our 2023-24 Studio Artists: https://pensacolaopera.com/studio-artists/

Meet the 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists, arriving in Pensacola next week! 🎶 Tenor Zach Taylor is a New Jersey native and a recent Master’s graduate of UNC Greensboro, where he studied under tenor Robert Bracey. Previously, he received his Bachelor’s from Towson University, where he studied with tenor Min Jin. Zachary just completed his summer as an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera for their 2023 season, where he covered the Master of Ceremonies in The Love for Three Oranges. His favorite quote is "Do anything, but let it produce joy." - Walt Whitman.
Learn more about all of our 2023-24 Studio Artists: https://pensacolaopera.com/studio-artists/

Join us TOMORROW for the 41st Season's Bravi Kick-Off Party!
Learn more and RSVP: https://pensacolaopera.com/event/bravi-kick-off-party/
Beginning at 5:30, come enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres as you mix and mingle with other volunteer-minded individuals. Community Engagement Manager Bethany Roberts will provide a brief presentation about Bravi and what it means to be a volunteer with Pensacola Opera. As a special treat, we will also be awarding the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award at the party!
If you’ve ever had any interest in volunteering with the Opera, join us for this informal event where you can ask any questions you may have, learn about our programming and volunteer opportunities, and meet the staff of Pensacola Opera.
RSVP is strongly requested so we can be sure to have enough food for the group! However, it is not required and we welcome those who decide to drop in to join us. See you there!
https://pensacolaopera.com/event/bravi-kick-off-party/

Meet the 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists, arriving in Pensacola next week! 🎶 Mezzo-Soprano Alexandra Sanchez is coming to us from San Antonio, Texas! Most recently, Ms. Sanchez was a young artist with Finger Lakes Opera during their 2023 Summer Season. She made her San Francisco Opera debut singing Sister Claire in Dialogues of the Carmelites and was also selected to be a Fellow at the Festival Napa Valley Manetti Shrem Opera Program, where she participated in the 2022 Summer Festival. Alexandra loves to cook and paint and can't wait to get familiar with Pensacola!
Learn more about our Jan Miller Studio Artists: https://pensacolaopera.com/studio-artists/

Meet the 2023-24 Jan Miller Studio Artists, arriving in Pensacola next week! 🎶 Soprano Nicole Heinen comes to us from New Orleans and is originally from Wisconsin. Most recently, she made her debut with Opera Louisiane as the soprano soloist in the double bill of Bernstein's Bonne Cuisine and Hoiby's Bon Appétit!, appeared with New Orleans Opera Association as the Dew Fairy (Hansel & Gretel), and returned to Florentine Opera Company for a role debut as Despina (Così fan tutte). She also made her debut TV appearance as "Iolanta" in AMC's "Interview with a Vampire." Something interesting about Nicole: She has a gelato lady in New Orleans! She gets gelato twice a month and sends everyone to her for amazing gelato.
Learn more about our Jan Miller Studio Artists: https://pensacolaopera.com/studio-artists/

You can always tell a new season is starting when our banners come in!!
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Calling all tenors and baritones! 🎶 Auditions for the Pensacola Opera Chorus are coming up very soon and while we’re auditioning for every voice part, we are especially in need of some lower voices. The Opera Chorus is an integral part of our programming, performing on the Saenger stage for our mainstage productions and out in the community throughout our season. Learn more and sign up to audition: https://pensacolaopera.com/opera-chorus/

Come play the Jukebox! 🎶🪩💜 Tickets are officially on sale for Pensacola Opera's signature event - Jukebox Gala.
💙 Learn More and get your tickets now - they always go fast! https://pensacolaopera.com/event/jukebox-gala-2023/
💚 A preview of the 41st Season starts off the night, but the rest of the entertainment is up to YOU! Bid on popular arias and musical theatre selections while enjoying a gourmet dinner. If you're the lucky winner, one of our nine world-class artists will perform your winning song up-close-and-personal for your table. Jukebox Gala is truly a unique evening of sensational singing, fine dining, and a vibrant atmosphere all to support the mission of Pensacola Opera.

Have you ever been interested in volunteering? We'd love to meet you! ✨Join us for the 41st Season's Bravi Kick-Off Party! Beginning at 5:30, come enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres as you mix and mingle with other volunteer-minded individuals. Community Engagement Manager Bethany Roberts will provide a brief presentation about Bravi and what it means to be a volunteer with Pensacola Opera. As a special treat, we will also be awarding the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award at the party!
If you’ve ever had any interest in volunteering with the Opera, join us for this informal event where you can ask any questions you may have, learn about our programming and volunteer opportunities, and meet the staff of Pensacola Opera.
RSVP Online: https://pensacolaopera.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/ #/

🎶 Come sing in the Pensacola Opera Chorus! This group of volunteer community singers take part in many scenes of our mainstage productions, interacting with the principal characters and setting the tone for the entire cast. Off stage, the Opera Chorus takes on numerous singing engagements in the community throughout the year including holiday caroling, national anthem opportunities, and joining our Studio Artists at Opera Al Frescos, Pours & Encores, and more.
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Auditions for our 41st mainstage season productions will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at the Opera Center. These auditions will be for new chorus members only, or any chorus members who would like to return after taking a few seasons away. Learn more and sign up to audition: https://pensacolaopera.com/opera-chorus/

Let’s play! 🏷️ Join us on Saturday for Pensacola Opera’s Rummage Sale featuring used prop items, clothing and costumes, furniture, housewares, art and more!! Take home some history and help support your local opera company.
Saturday, August 12
7AM - Noon
75 S. Tarragona St.

Thank you, Pensacola for voting Pensacola Opera:
✨ Best Way to Get Cultured ✨ again this year! We're also very honored to have received 🎭 Runner Up, Best Theatre Production for Carousel 🎭 and 🌟 Runner Up, Best Rising Leader: Cody Martin, conductor/pianist, our Music Director! 🌟
Pensacola is truly a town where the arts shine and we are lucky to play a part in it. Thank you for voting and for supporting the mission of Pensacola Opera in this year's Inweekly Media's Best of the Coast 2023! 🎶

🎶Applications are now open for the 2024-25 Jan Miller Studio Artist Program! Singers and pianist/coaches are invited to apply for our nationally renowned training program for emerging performers. Applications are due by Sunday, October 15. For more details and to apply, visit: https://pensacolaopera.com/opera-tunities/

Pensacola Opera is having an end-of-season sale! Join us at the Opera Center on Saturday, August 12 to explore our growing collection of props, set pieces, vintage items, furniture, costume pieces, donated items, and more! As we're preparing to open our 41st Season, help us clear out our performing space and take home some opera treasures. All proceeds support the mission and initiatives of Pensacola Opera.
📍: 75 S. Tarragona St.
⏰: 7 AM - Noon

Thanks to all who attended our Annual Meeting to wrap up the 40th Season, vote on our new board members, and welcome our 41st Season…with a toast! 🥂

✨ Advertising Early Bird Rates expire July 28th! ✨
Reach a new audience when you Advertise with Pensacola Opera! Placing an ad in our season program book not only helps support the mission of Pensacola Opera, but also provides valuable reach for your brand by putting your ad in the hands of thousands, and digital hands of thousands more. Learn more, view rates, and reserve your space online: https://pensacolaopera.com/advertise-with-pensacola-opera/

Camp Day 3 was Dance Day! 🩰 Thanks to Ballet Pensacola for coming over to help us add choreography to our production of Die Fledermaus! These very talented campers also finished staging Act I & ACT II! We're having a busy, music-filled week here at the Opera Center.

🎶🎭 Opera Camp is in full swing! Our first two days have been packed with theatre games, auditions, a masterclass with Studio Artist alum Jack Chandler, and a tour of the Saenger Theatre! Our talented campers are working on their very own production of Die Fledermaus while having crash courses in music, performance, dance, theatre, and set creation.
A toast! A toast to celebrate! These campers are working so hard this week to learn about opera, performance, and producing their very own production of Die Fledermaus!

The Ultimate Save the Date. View (and get excited for) all of Pensacola Opera's major productions and events coming up this season! - https://mailchi.mp/pensacolaopera/52323-892110

👠🎶🎭 Save the Date Pensacola...
2.22.24 at Vinyl Music Hall.
Opera heroines. Rock n' Roll. Fashion.
Stay tuned.
Madrina Ciano Rock Me Amadeus Live
🎶🎭 Do you love to sing and have a desire to volunteer for a thriving performing arts organization? Audition for the Pensacola Opera Chorus! Auditions are Tuesday, August 29th. More Info: https://pensacolaopera.com/opera-chorus/
The Opera Chorus is integral to Pensacola Opera by taking the Saenger stage alongside our principals and setting the tone for the entire cast. Off the stage, members of the Opera Chorus also perform at local community events around town throughout the season.
For more information, audition requirements, and to sign up visit https://pensacolaopera.com/opera-chorus/

🌈 Happy Saturday from Pensacola Opera set up today at PensaPride! Come see us and all the amazing vendors today from 10-4 at Cordova Square Park in East Hill.

💙⛈ Due to the recent flooding, our office will be closed today as we clean and dry out. Thank you for your patience if you try to get in touch with us today!

🎪 Thanks for the coverage, VIP Pensacola!

🌈🎭🎶 Pensacola Opera is setup and ready to see YOU at the Emerald Coast Pride Walk and Vendor Fair today in Ft. Walton! If you’re in the area, stop in and say hi to !

🥳 Help us welcome Victor Andzulis to the Pensacola Opera team! Victor starts today as our Director of Development and we are so glad to have him on board to further our mission and connect with our supporters and this community. Learn more about him: https://pensacolaopera.com/board-and-staff/

Because it's...JUNE! This first day of June we're throwin' it back for to our production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel! Nettie Fowler, played by Kayla Nanto, prepares the clams for the city clam bake as June arrives and summer rolls into the eastern coast. This energetic dance number featured our Opera Chorus and dancers from Ballet Pensacola - all directed and choreographed by Greg Ganakas and Brianna Ascione, conducted by Cody Martin, conductor/pianist.
This classic piece of theatre was a powerhouse piece to close our 40th Anniversary Season. What was your favorite part of Carousel? Let us know! 👇🏻👇🏽👇🏿
📸: Meg Burke Photography

Overture is officially FULL! If you'd like to be added to the waiting list, please email [email protected]. 🎭🎶
🎭🎶 Opera Camp is ALMOST full - if your young artist is interested in joining us this summer, let's get them registered as there's only a few spots left! Learn More: https://pensacolaopera.com/event/overture-opera-summer-camp-2023/

Members of our amazing Opera Chorus came out to sing as part of the Memorial Day Ceremony taking place today at the Veterans Memorial Park! 🇺🇸

🎭🎶 Opera Camp is ALMOST full - if your young artist is interested in joining us this summer, let's get them registered as there's only a few spots left! Learn More: https://pensacolaopera.com/event/overture-opera-summer-camp-2023/
As we prepare for our upcoming season, this we wanted to share an excerpt from our 40th Anniversary Concert, Forty Forward, held in the Saenger Theatre last November as part of the 2022 Foo Foo Festival! This gala featured sixteen professional vocalists performing alongside the Opera Chorus, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, The Choral Society of Pensacola, Pensacola Children's Chorus and Ballet Pensacola for an unforgettable night celebrating four decades of opera in Pensacola.
💙 Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso from La rondine
💙 Adam Diegel, Kara Shay Thomson, Peter James Lake & Bizhou Chang
💙 Conductor, Cody Martin, conductor/pianist

📝Vote for Pensacola Opera! 📝
Voting for Inweekly Media's Best of the Coast is almost over! You can help support Pensacola Opera by casting your vote for us in the categories below!
🌟Best Way to Get Cultured - Pensacola Opera
🌟Best Theatre Production - Carousel, Pensacola Opera
🌟Best Rising Leader - Cody Martin, Pensacola Opera's Music Director
🌟Best Regular/Recurring Event - Brown Bag Opera
Vote now here: https://inweekly.net/best-of-the-coast-2023-ballot/
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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75 S Tarragona Street
Pensacola, FL
32502
Opening Hours
Monday | 9am - 5pm |
Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
Friday | 9am - 5pm |
205 E Zaragoza Street
Pensacola, 32502
The PSO is committed to creating unique and memorable experiences for every audience member.
Pensacola, 32503
We pray and fast for Pensacola and Escambia County. God has a great plan for our community.
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Dedicated to promoting all forms of America's musical art form - JAZZ.
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Our focus has and always will be on education, inspiration and participation in various team, individ