Our History
April 1988
Opera Lovers
The Vero Beach Opera Guild, incorporated in April 1988, was started by a group of opera-loving friends at the home of our founder, Eloise Rodger, with the dream of bringing grand opera to our community.
1989-Present
Opera Studies
We first partnered with the Vero Beach Museum of Art in 1989 to offer Opera Studies adult education programs. Vero Beach Opera board member Wayne Kleinstiver led this program for many years. Our most recent lecture, presented by Ian Campbell, was called Aida, Verdi & Egypt: Sifting through the Sands of Time and took place March 3, 2024 at 2:30 pm at the VBMA's Leonhardt Auditorium.
1990-Present
A Class Act
Through our Opera in the Classroom: A Class Act program, we bring Opera Education & Appreciation directly into our Indian River County Elementary School Classrooms. The program is currently led by Vero Beach Opera board member Toni Lemoine.
2003-Present
New Leadership
In the summer of 2003, the Vero Beach Opera Guild was reorganized under the leadership of Román & Joan Ortega-Cowan, and a new Board was elected who supported a professional operatic platform with an ambitious mission to produce, promote, support and present grand opera through operatic concerts and operas. Joan became President and Executive Director in 2003, and she continues to serve in these roles today. Also in 2003, Román became Artistic Director and served in this role until 2022 when he became Artistic Advisor.
2004
Carmen
On March 20, 2004, we performed Carmen, with direction by Licia Albanese. An Italian-born soprano, she was one of the foremost sopranos at the MET Opera and she passed away in 2014 at the age of 105!
2004-2019
Deborah Voigt
Metropolitan Opera soprano Deborah Voigt first performed for Vero Beach Opera in 2004 in our Love Concert. In 2007, Ms. Voigt joined with Vero Beach Opera to create the Deborah Voigt / Vero Beach Opera Foundation to mentor young opera singers and give encouragement awards to young singers who compete in international vocal competitions. She served as Vero Beach Opera Artistic Advisor from 2016-2019. She held the 1st Deborah Voigt/Vero Beach Opera Foundation International Vocal Competition in 2016, and the second in 2019 before she relocated to San Francisco.
2005
L'Elisir d'Amore
On Saturday, April 2, 2005, we collaborated with Orlando Opera and presented L'Elisir d'Amore.
2005
Marriage of Figaro
Later in 2005, we collaborated with Orlando Opera and presented the Marriage of Figaro.
2006
Reorganization
In 2006, the Vero Beach Opera Guild became Vero Beach Opera, Inc. with an all-volunteer, working Board of Directors committed to our mission. Vero Beach Opera, while remaining true to its founding purpose, became ready to evolve into a professionally-oriented performing company.
2006
Tosca
On Saturday, April 8, 2006, we performed Tosca in concert starring Deborah Voigt.
2007-Present
Homestay
Through our Homestay Program, community members provide housing accommodations to artists and Competition judges which spares Vero Beach Opera the cost of expensive hotel rooms during our winter season. The program is currently led by Vero Beach Opera board members Sue & Paul Gauthier.
2007-Present
Susan Neves
MET Opera soprano Susan Neves has graced our stage many times since 2007! Currently, she brings the highest level of judging and star quality to our Rising Stars Vocal Competitions as one of our esteemed Jurists.
2007
Madama Butterfly
On Friday, March 30, 2007, we collaborated with Orlando Opera and presented Madama Butterfly.
2007-Present
Vocal Scholarship
Our vocal scholarship program awards cash prizes and encouragement awards to winners of our annual Rising Stars Vocal Competitions, as well as First Prizes in the MET Opera Laffont Competition, Florida District and the Southeast Regionals.
2008-2010
Music Director
In 2008, Kathy Olsen became our Music Director.
2008
Otello
On Saturday, March 22, 2008, we performed Otello in concert with MET Opera legend Charles Anthony as narrator. He was an American tenor who sang in 2,928 performances over nearly six decades with the MET Opera.
2008-Present
MET Live in HD
In 2008 we began a partnership with our local Majestic 11 Theater to bring The MET Live in HD simulcasts here, resulting in a new awareness of opera which has increased attendance and revenue at both of our venues.
2008-2019
Marcello Giordani
MET Opera tenor Marcello Giordani first performed for us in 2008, and through our affiliation with him, he held his Marcello Giordani Foundation International Vocal Competitions with Vero Beach Opera from 2013 until his untimely death in 2019.
2009
Don Pasquale
On Saturday, January 31, 2009, we performed Don Pasquale starring Paul Plishka. (photo credit: The New York Times; Plishka in his dressing room at the MET Opera.)
2009-2012
Paul Plishka
MET Opera basso Paul Plishka, who has the distinction of performing at the MET Opera for forty-six years and 1,642 performances, placing him at number 10 on their official list of most-frequent performers, which dates back to the company's inception in 1883. We gave Mr. Plishka a Lifetime Achievement Award upon his retirement from the MET Opera in 2012.
2010
Gianni Schicchi
& Suor Angelica
On Sunday, March 28, 2010, we collaborated with Stetson University Opera Theater and presented Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica.
2010-Present
Piano Scholarship
In 2010, we started our Piano Scholarship program. We award scholarships to a limited number of local students who qualify to study with Dr. Marcos Daniel Flores. This program is currently led by Vero Beach Opera board member Kendra Haines.
2011
Marriage of Figaro
On Sunday, March 20, 2011, we performed the Marriage of Figaro.
2012
Barber of Seville
On Sunday, January 15, 2012, we performed the Barber of Seville.
2013 - Present
Competitions
Our first Vocal Competition was presented in 2013 with Marcello Giordani and has grown into our annual Rising Stars Vocal Competition where we invite the world’s top rising opera singers to compete for major cash prizes.
2013
I Pagliacci
On Sunday, March 18, 2013, we performed I Pagliacci, starring MET Opera tenor Marcello Giordani.
2014-2016
Music Director
In 2014, Bruce Stasyna became our Music Director.
2014
Cavalleria Rusticana
On Sunday, January 12, 2014, we performed Cavalleria Rusticana. Our orchestra was conducted by maestro Anton Coppola.
2015-Present
Stage Director
In 2015, Russell Franks became our Stage Director.
2015
Il Tabarro
On Sunday, January 11, 2015, we performed Il Tabarro.
2015-Present
Endowment
In 2015, the Vero Beach Opera Endowment Fund was established by Tommy and Simonetta Steyer in memory of their son, Andrzej, through the Indian River Community Foundation, to assure long-term sustainability, support growth and increase our presence as a regional opera company with national and international reach.
2016
Die Fledermaus
On Sunday, January 10, 2016, we performed Die Fledermaus.
2017
Don Pasquale
On Saturday, January 7, 2017, we collaborated with Florida Opera Theater and presented Don Pasquale.
2018-2022
Music Director
In 2018, Caren Levine became our Music Director. She left in 2022 to take a full-time position at the MET Opera.
2018
Madama Butterfly
On Sunday, January 14, 2018, we performed Madama Butterfly.
2018
Richard Tucker
In 2018, we hosted a special event at Majestic 11 Theater called The Story of America Opera Legend- Tenor Richard Tucker. The presentation was narrated by Tucker's official biographer, James A. Drake, PhD, and Tucker's son, David N. Tucker, MD, and included many rare video clips of Richard Tucker's performances.
2019-Present
Parlor Concerts
MET Opera soprano Susan Neves performed in our first Parlor Concert in December 2019. The Series grew in 2020 when the pandemic limited our ability to produce operas. Now the Series has become a major perk for our members!
2019
Carmen
On Sunday, January 13, 2019, we performed Carmen.
2020
Barber of Seville
On Sunday, January 12, 2020, we performed the Barber of Seville.
2022-Present
Artistic Director
In 2022, Russell Franks became our Artistic Director.
2022-Present
Artistic Advisor
In 2022, Román Ortega-Cowan became our Artistic Advisor.
2022
La Bohème
On Sunday, January 9, 2022, we performed La Bohème.
2023-Present
Music Director
In 2023, Gregory Buchalter became our Music Director.
2023-Present
Artistic Consultant
In 2023, Manny Perez became our Artistic Consultant.
2023-Present
Chorus
In 2023 the Vero Beach Opera Chorus was officially established under the direction of Dr. Anthony Baron.
2023
L'Elisir d'Amore
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, we performed L'Elisir d'Amore.
2023-2024
35th Anniversary
This season we celebrate our 35th Season! If you like what we do and want to support our work, please give generously to our Endowment Fund.