The operas of Giacomo Puccini — La Boheme, Tosca and so many others — have inspired innumerable spin-offs and are loved for their empathetic humanity, tenderness, beauty and touching tragedy.
St. Petersburg Opera is launching its first themed festival paying tribute to the famed composer on Sat., April 30.
Dedicated to the music of Puccini, the festival includes eight separate events and a total of 20-plus performances. The company will produce two Puccini operas as part of the festival and will present two editions of its popular Evenings with the Maestro series.
St. Petersburg Opera and American Stage are collaborating to co-produce nine performances of Gianni Schicchi. The comedic revolves around relatives jockeying to get an inheritance. Opening April 30, the one act comedy will be performed in English at the Raymond James Theater at American Stage, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg. Tickets are $25-$39.50.
Young singers will be featured in an Emerging Artist Spectacular and an Opera Idol performance for local singers who participate in a St. Petersburg Opera workshop series, 7 p.m. on May 14 at First Presbyterian Church, 701 Beach Drive, St. Petersburg. Ten singers compete for an audience choice award and will receive performance feedback from celebrity panelists. Tickets are $15 ($10 Seniors and students.)
The company is hosting a gala fundraiser called "Puccini in Paradise" on May 20 and a luncheon titled metamorphosis in which an American soprano will be transformed into a Japanese teenage bride. Click on stpeteopera.org for details.
Puccini's masterpiece, Madama Butterfly, the story of a Japanese girl who renounces her ancestral faith and customs and enters into a marriage contract with an American naval officer, is one of the most popular operas of all time. St. Petersburg Opera will be staging this opera with full orchestra at the Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, on June 10, 12 and 14. Tickets are priced from $21.50 to $61.50. (Ernestina Xavier contributed to this report.)
This article appears in Apr 21-27, 2011.