Gulfshore Opera sings into spring with several events

Songs of Ireland
Experience traditional and contemporary Irish music.
Gulfshore Opera will celebrate the rich heritage of our kin from the Emerald Isle with traditional and contemporary Irish music on tour March 8 – March 15.
An ensemble including five lovely ladies, all members of the GO Divas, violinist Daniela Shtereva, percussionist Austin Gomez and pianist Kelly Utterback will perform this series of concerts. The artists will perform several selections in Gaelic with Irish style fiddle and bodhran drum accompaniment.
Two of the GO Divas who have extensive dance training, Juliana Alfano and Stephanie Lorenz, will add traditional Irish dancing to the evening’s program. Enjoy songs like “Danny Boy” and “The Last Rose of Summer” and Irish melodies made popular by groups like Celtic Woman and The King’s Singers.
Songs of Ireland will be presented March 8 at 7 p.m. at The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers ($35 – $50); March 14 at 7 p.m. at The Gulf Theater in Punta Gorda ($35 – $50); and March 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Leo The Great Catholic Church Life Center in Bonita Springs ($45 – $55).

Gulfshore Opera Gala Concert
The signature fundraising event begins with a concert titled “Bel Canto to Bernstein” in the sanctuary of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 12 at 4 p.m. Returning favorite artists, Robyn Lamp (Tosca), Derrek Stark (Italian lover in Bats Revenge) and Cory Crider (Baron Scarpia in Tosca) will display their artistry and versatility through beautiful Bel Canto melodies by Donizetti, Bellini, and dramatic ensembles by Verdi. Enjoy a tribute to American musical theater legend, Leonard Bernstein in the second half.
Since last seen with Gulfshore Opera, these nationally recognized singers have been very busy with professional engagements. Robyn Lamp returned to Carnegie Hall for Verdi’s Requiem in October and both Derrek Stark and Corey Crider have joined the roster of The Metropolitan Opera. The Bel Canto selections of the concert will be narrated and accompanied by Maestro Jorge Parodi, our newly appointed music director. The Bernstein tribute is accompanied and narrated by Gordon Roberts, who worked with Bernstein. Tickets for the gala concert range from $45 to $75.

Around the World in Song
GO professional artists will take you on a wide – ranging musical journey performing popular and classical songs from around the world on March 28 and March 31.
Visit far away lands like Sri Lanka, sight of the Pearl Fishers, Japan, home of Madame Butterfly, and the South Pacific to name a few. A quartet of versatile artists perform with piano accompaniment. Performing these concerts are Victoria Lawal and Avery Boettcher, sopranos, who portray Donna Anna and Elvira in Gulfshore Opera’s upcoming grand opera production of Don Giovanni are joined by baritone John Tibbetts.
Around the World in Song will be presented March 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Leo’s Parish Life Center in Bonita Springs ($50 – $65) and March 31 at 7 p.m. at Rose History Auditorium on Marco Island ($45 – $60).
For tickets and more information on these events and other programs, call 239-529-3925 or visit online at www.gulfshoreopera.org