Bartók for Halloween: New opera company mounts ‘Bluebeard’
If you’re not really in the mood for zombies on Halloween, a new arts group in West Palm Beach has something else you might be interested in: An operatic masterpiece.
Opera Fusion, a startup founded by soprano Birgit Fioravante and bass Dean Peterson, will present Béla Bartók’s one-act Bluebeard’s Castle at the Lake Worth Playhouse on Friday. Composed in 1911 and premiered in 1918, it is the two-character tale of the legendary Duke Bluebeard, who has brought his new wife to his mysterious castle, which is a repository of tragic mysteries — including his three previous wives.
Peterson will sing the role of Bluebeard, and Fioravante will sing Judith. Pianists Krisztina Kover and Katherine Kozak will provide the accompaniment; the opera will be sung in its original Hungarian, with English supertitles.
In a news release, Fioravante and Peterson said they founded Opera Fusion to offer “high-quality yet minimally staged performances in intimate venues throughout South Florida.”
“Opera Fusion’s main goals are cultivating a new audience for opera in South Florida, offering educational outreach, providing opportunities to local talent, using pared-down staging to keep expenses – and ticket prices – low, and bringing artists and audiences together after every show,” the company said.
Friday’s performance will be followed by a party next door to the Playhouse at Suri Tapas Bar, 707 Lake Ave. A DJ, appetizers and a complimentary drink will be available, and audience members are encouraged to come in costume.
The performance of the opera, which lasts about an hour, will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40; $65 for VIPs. Call 561-586-6410 or visit www.operafusionorg or www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.
Armory Art Center names new director
The Armory Art Center has selected Kim Harty as its new executive director.
Harty began her new position Oct. 13. She has more than 20 years of senior management experience with large and small YMCAs throughout the Northeast.
Originally from the Midwest and most recently from Bar Harbour, Maine, Harty helped to bring arts curriculum to YMCAs nationwide. Harty has experience in non-profit governance, finance, programming, grant writing, public speaking and in evaluating community needs.
“I am excited to marry my love of the arts with my skills in executive non-profit management,” Harty says. “It is a long time dream.”
Harty replaces interim executive director Nancy Lambrecht. Board vice president for the Armory Art Center, Lambrecht volunteered her services for six months before Harty’s selection as executive director.
For more information on the Armory Art Center, visit www.armoryart.org.
Palm Beach Opera gets $500,000 grant
Palm Beach Opera has received a $500,000 matching grant from longtime supporters Sandra and Paul Goldner.
“We’ve discovered that when children are exposed to the arts they understand and appreciate the extraordinary beauty and value that is involved perhaps better than most adults,” says Paul Goldner. “Our desire for the Opera is to focus attention on education by using its resources to expose children to opera. I think it is a very worthwhile venture and I hope that other people will feel the same way so that we can create a substantial fund to keep these programs going for a long time.”
Palm Beach Opera has three education programs, Concerts in the Classroom for grades K-12, Opera Rehearsal 101, which allows middle and high school students to attend the final dress rehearsals of main stage operas, and PBO Studio, an apprentice program for high school juniors and seniors.
All of Palm Beach Opera’s education programs are free for participants.
The Goldners have been involved with Palm Beach Opera since 2007 with Sandra as a member of the Palm Beach Opera Guild and Paul as a member of the board of directors.
“We are immensely grateful to Sandra and Paul Goldner for their gift, and thrilled that we will be able to grow our children’s education programs thanks to their vision and generosity,” said Daniel Biaggi, Palm Beach Opera’s general director.
For more information visit www.pbopera.org.