Opera Naples Lights up the Sky on the 4th of July!

It doesn't get better than celebrating the 4th of July with Opera Naples!
    People started gathering on the beach by the Naples Pier with umbrellas and canopies mid afternoon. There was only a light crowd of people at first, as it had rained earlier in the day. Sailboats coasted by, and boaters started gathering offshore on the flat Gulf of Mexico waters.

    Opera Naples held a down-home party in a beautiful new tropically-accented  four story home next to the pier with broad lanais overlooking the beach-you can't beat that for a fireworks viewpoint. (The house's for sale, too!).

Children and adults met other musicians, singers and music lovers, and dined on mini hotdogs, guacamole and crab dip, shrimp, and continued with healthy mini burgers.

    Talented singers Rebecca Richardson, Jazz Singer,  and  Melissa Vitrella, Opera Naples Artist-in-Residence, joined Robin Shuford Frank, Opera Naples Pianist/Chorus Master for rousing renditions of patriotic favorites. Guests sang along and and applauded!

    Fireworks started at 9:30 pm on a rain-free lovely setting, with a flotilla of boats anchored parallel to the shore, whose red, white and green lights glittered like fireflies across the water.

I set my camera to 1/40 and f11 to f16, and fired away, hand held. It's hard to miss when one is in the catbird seat, right by the Naples Pier launch site! Next year, it's a tripod with Bulb setting.

Afterwards, we snacked on great mini cupcakes-each a two bite baking marvel fit for an Aria!

Sign up for Opera Naples 2012-2013 season, starting with Tosca on December 20, 22, at the Naples Philharmonic, followed by Nathan Gunn on Feb 8th, then A Midsummers Night's Dream on Feb 23 and 24th, with the 2013 season capped by Felix Mendelsohn's Elijah.
http://www.operanaples.org/

Opera Naples' An Evening with Patricia Racette - An Evening and an Artist to Treasure

The audience greatly enjoyed Opera Naples'  "An Evening with Patricia Racette" at Moorings Presbyterian Church on Friday, giving her a well deserved standing ovation. Patricia's  lyric soprano voice-such a wonderful instrument- is so vibrantly expressive. Her voice's rich timbre is warmly inviting. Her interpretation and passion are perfect for bringing Puccini's and Verdi's dazzling arias,  and sensual torch songs alike, to vivid life. Very few singers give "goose bumps" with their singing, and Patricia gave welcome goose bumps, shivers  and ecstatic smiles to the enthusiastic audience!

Ms. Racette's voice enveloped the audience with the soaring grandeur of Puccini's Un Bel Di from Madama Butterfly and the  richness of coquette Musetta's waltz. She soulfully sang the Judy Garland favorite, "The Man that Got Away", and warmed the sanctuary with  a mezzo-sultry Edith Piaf torch classic.

  Patricia's career started in jazz, and she was then encouraged to excel in opera. Her internationally acclaimed talent is the distillation of years of training. I sat next to her proud father, Paul- we both beamed with pleasure at Patricia's inspired performance.

Paul and Patricia Racette

 Patricia's warm personality and quick wit were apparent as she chatted with guests at the reception. This Metropolitan Opera star is so refreshingly down to earth- no narcissistic diva! After this first appearance in Naples, the audience had just one word to say about Patricia and her superb talent-"Encore!" 

Opera Naples' Founder Steffanie Pearce and Patricia Racette

Sandi and Tom Moran, with Patricia Racette, center

Former Metropolitan Opera's Soprano Judith Blegen, Patricia Racette, and Former Metropolitan Opera Concertmaster
Raymond Gniewek 

Patricia Racette will have her first CD out this Spring.

The next day, Patricia gave a two hour Master Class for FGCU and Opera Naples voice students at the beautiful FGCU Bower School of Music. She actively engages students with positive criticism. She even kicked off her heels for a hand to hand tug of war with students while they sang, to have them use certain muscles while singing. It works!

Though some baritone and tenor students could play defensive linemen, outweighing her by over a hundred pounds, she winningly got her points across, gaining several hard fought yards in the process!

    I dated a coloratura soprano for several years, and treasured attending her lessons with her talented voice teacher. Seek out a voice teacher and student, and see the hard work and practice that goes into "nailing" an aria. Patricia eschews the "park and bark" style of some who sit or stand  statue-like as they sing. She encourages students to feel the passion of the vibrant Italian and French languages and cultures, and to move expressively and purposefully about the stage. When one very talented  student "guessed" about aspects of  his aria's character and what the role entailed, Patricia made it clear that delving into one's character is a necessity, and "guessing" has little role in a reply! Teaching with kindness and swift wit; her lessons are effectively learned. You can't hide or give less than your best on her stage.  

Opera Tampa Pianist Dan Gettinger with Patricia Racette

To paraphrase the lyrics of "Not a Day Goes By," may Patricia's voice continue to "get better and stronger, deeper and nearer, richer and clearer", with every "blessed day."
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