Experience the passion of opera al fresco at the Opera Naples 2024 Festival Under the Stars, the only outdoor winter opera festival in the United States, which runs from Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 10 in beautiful Cambier Park. Now heralding its fourth annual Festival Under the Stars, Opera Naples proudly partners with the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation to celebrate the legacy of the famed Italian tenor and his profound impact on music. Opera Naples Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar leads a star-studded line-up of vocalists from around the world and the Naples Festival Orchestra in this marvelous 10-day festival.
The festival begins with a program of Pavarotti Forever on March 1, hosted by none other than the late singer’s widow Nicoletta Pavarotti, and featuring a performance by Argentinian tenor Marcelo Álvarez singing a plethora of Pavarotti signature pieces alongside young, up-and-coming opera stars. The following day, kids of all ages can enjoy three hours of fun, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Family and Community Day, and that evening, audiences can revel in the sultry power of Spanish music and dance with a program of Zarzuela & Flamenco. On March 3, Neapolitans can take pride in a performance by one of their own, internationally acclaimed soprano Jeanette Donatti, who sings alongside Opera Naples Resident Artists. On March 6, curious culture lovers can head over to the Wang Opera Center to view the 2019 documentary film Pavarotti: His Life, directed by Ron Howard and presented that evening by Nicoletta Pavarotti. The festival then continues at Cambier Park on March 7 with a very special (and seductive!) performance by Gulfshore Ballet Theater of Bizet’s Carmen. On March 9, American tenor and Naples favorite Gregory Kunde delivers another virtuosic performance. The festival concludes with two magnificent performances on March 8 and 10 of Puccini’s grand three-act opera, Madama Butterfly. Brace yourself for a powerful performance by soprano Jennifer Rowley in the title role, and get ready for a world-class illustration of this tale of love, betrayal, cultural clash, and sacrifice. Opera Naples is also grateful for its partnerships with the Grand Piano Series, presenting pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski on February 29, as well as master classes at Florida Gulf Coast University, led by Marcelo Álvarez on February 26 and Gregory Kunde on March 7. Opera Naples enjoys focusing much of its multifaceted energy on nurturing the next generation of singers.
Suspense. Drama. Allure. Catharsis. It’s all packed into the 2024 Festival Under the Stars! Get your tickets now at operanaples.org or by calling 239.963.9050.