Opera Naples (www.OperaNaples.org) celebrated ten exciting years of presenting grand opera at its 10th Anniversary Annual Gala held last Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at the Ritz-Carlton Beach Resort in Naples. About 300 people were in attendance and a record breaking $350,000 was raised for the organization.
Legendary actor Paul Sorvino served as the Annual Gala’s Honorary Chairman and Ambassador Cristina Barrios, Consul General of Spain in Miami, served as an Honorary Guest.
Sorvino is the celebrated Brooklyn-born veteran of more than 140 movies and six TV series, but perhaps best known for his roles in the 1990 Martin Scorsese movie Goodfellas and the TV series Law and Order. He has also performed in two operas and several musicals across the country.
Ambassador Barrios presented Opera Naples’ Artistic Director Ramón Tebar with the Cross of Officer of the Orden del Merito Civil (Order of Civil Merit). The honor was awarded to him by HM King Felipe VI of Spain. The Cross of Officer of the Order of Civil Merit was established by His Majesty King Alfonso XIII in 1926 to recognize extraordinary services performed by Spanish citizens for the good of the nation.
Following Ambassador Barrios’ presentation, Sorvino, renowned mezzo-soprano Leah Summers, and Maestro Tebar entertained with songs from Opera and Broadway. Members of Opera Naples’ Youth Choir, led by Chorus Master Robin Shuford Frank, sang a song specifically composed for the event by Naples resident Trudy Norcombe, who spent more than a decade working with Sir Paul McCartney in London.
A live auction, overseen by professional auctioneer Scott Robertson, featured several very exceptional items, including a two-and-a-half day journey on the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, a private, tailored tour of London, and tickets to performances at two of the world’s most famous opera houses: London’s Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the spectacular Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Also on the auction block was an evening with internationally-celebrated violinist Joshua Bell that included premium tickets to hear Bell in concert in Barcelona, Spain and an invitation to meet the acclaimed musician at a green room reception following the performance.
Moran Edwards Asset Management of Wells Fargo Advisors and Gulfshore Life magazine served as sponsors of the Opera Naples’ 10th Anniversary Gala.
About Opera Naples
Opera Naples presents internationally-renowned performers and directors, encourages and showcases talented regional performers, and grooms young stars of the future. The company produces classic grand opera, chamber opera at The David and Cecile Wang Opera Center – which it also makes available to other performing arts groups in Naples – and conducts several outreach programs. Some of these are designed to identify and develop promising talent; others reach thousands of children in Lee and Collier counties by bringing light opera to their schools; and still others, bring the opera experience to adults, through visits to assisted living centers, local clubs, and social events. Opera Naples is led by Artistic Director, internationally-renowned Spanish conductor Ramón Tebar, who is known for his musical versatility, compelling interpretations, and orchestra-building skills. For more information about Opera Naples, please call 239.963.9050 or visit www.operanaples.org.
