ART IS CALLING FOR ME
Sunday | August 13 at 2 p.m.

Marnie Breckenridge is recognized for her sparkling soprano, intelligent musicianship, and deeply poignant character portrayals on stage. She is a leading figure in the new music and contemporary opera world, performing eight world premieres of award-winning new operas and countless art songs by living composers. Ms. Breckenridge’s leading roles have taken her to opera and symphony stages from London to New York to Tokyo, and she is also a prolific recording artist, with highlights that include appearing as a featured soloist on Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s Heroes & Villains album, New World Records’ album of Victor Herbert songs, and her holiday album Happy Golden Days. 

Ms. Breckenridge will sing an eclectic program of arias and arts songs from Bel Canto to contemporary and then return later in the season on the MainStage to sing the title role in Lucia di Lammermoor at Steinmetz Hall. Additionally, for this concert only there will be a special season preview presentation of the Company’s All for Art season by Opera Orlando’s general director Gabriel Preisser and artistic director Grant Preisser.

L’ARTE NEL SUO MISTERO
Sunday | August 20 at 2 p.m.

Isaac Hurtado has drawn critical acclaim for performances of leading roles across the United States. Since making his role debut with Festival Opera in California in the title role of Roméo et Juliette, his portrayals of Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Don José in Carmen, and Alfredo in La Traviata have been noted for “money notes worth every penny.” 

Most recently Mr. Hurtado appeared as the tenor soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with Salt Lake Choral Artists, "A Night in Seville" with Amelia Island Opera, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, with the choirs and orchestras of Brigham Young University, and "Opera Gems" with Opera Roanoke. He also performed and recorded the tenor solos in a new work entitled A Mosaic for Earth, and he performed Mozart's Requiem with Millennial Choirs and Orchestras in Salt Lake City, Handel's Messiah with the Southwest Symphony, and made recital debuts in Pesaro and Lesi, Italy. Audiences will see Mr. Hurtado again as the Prince in the upcoming site-specific production of Dvorák’s Rusalka.

Robin Stamper is no stranger to the Summer Concert Series, having last performed in the 2022-23 season series with soprano Susan Hellman Spatafora and bass Andrew W. Potter. He is currently the artistic/managing director and chorus master for Opera Tampa and continues a versatile career as a coach-accompanist, chorus master, and opera conductor. He will accompany both Ms. Breckenridge and Mr. Hurtado.

ONLY PARTIAL-VIEW SEATING IS AVAILABLE AT THIS PERFORMANCE

A SIREN’S SONG
Sunday | August 27 at 2 p.m.

Shannon Jennings, who is originally from Central Florida, will present a spectacular program as a preview to her singing the title role in Rusalka later in 2023-24. Praised by the Washington Post for her dramatic intensity and vocal ability, Ms. Jennings continues to wow critics and audiences alike. Her recent performances include her house debut as Mimì in La bohème with Kentucky Opera, the title role in Tosca with Opera Las Vegas, Mimì in La bohème with Newport Classical, and Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Jennings is also an active recitalist, currently preparing a recital of Spanish-language songs and zarzuelas celebrating her Cuban heritage for Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023 with Kentucky Opera.