Amelia Opera Begins Its 4th Season

Amelia Opera is a regional opera company founded by Robyn Marie Lamp, John Tibbetts, and Victoria Isernia, a mezzo-soprano. They met when the pandemic brought them all to Amelia Island. They got together and explored the possibility of opera on Amelia Island. Why not? Other festivals and groups thrived, including the Chamber Music Festival, the annual Dance Festival, and the Jazz Festival, and the island boasts two community theaters.

Now in its fourth season, this year’s offering, Opera in Bloom, offers a wide variety of entertainment, venues, and visiting artists. The season kicked off on September 28 featuring The Latin Divos, a Cuban Latin pop/opera trio.

On October 18 and 19, 2024, Amelia Island Opera will partner with the Woman’s Club of Fernandina Beach to present “Hansel and Gretel,” Engelbert Humperdinck's enchanting opera. The classic story comes alive when Hansel, sung by Victoria Isernia, and Gretel, sung by Kyaunnee Richardson get lost in the forest while nibbling gingerbread.

A highlight will be the November 1 and 2 encore performance of last season's “A Night at The Opera” at the Amelia Community Theater. Gala attendees are encouraged to dress up, come early, and enjoy prosecco, Italian-inspired hors d'oeuvres, and bite-size desserts. The concert will celebrate all things Italian and include a mix of Italian and Neapolitan songs, opera classics, and classic pop tunes with an Italian touch.

Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture founders Mark and Donna Kaufman agreed to partner for the annual concert series and have supported it from its earliest days. The series will be presented in the bookstore’s intimate upstairs performance area, locally called “the living room.” The concert series will continue on February 8 and 9, 2025 with Sweet & Salty - A Valentine’s Day Concert and March 15 and 16 with Broadway Babies II. The series is sponsored by Paul Bosland and Keith and Marilyn Erdahl.

The season will close with one of the world’s favorite operas, Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly” performed at the Amelia Plantation Chapel. Cuban-American soprano Elaine Alvarez will sing the role of Cio-Cio. She will be joined by a company of talented opera singers, the Jacksonville University Singers, and an orchestra led by Keith Chambers. Sponsors are Paul Bosland and the Burroughs Family Foundation.

Amelia Opera founders are planning a wide variety of community events, including opera lectures, children’s story times, pop-up performances, master classes, and participation in local festivals.

Victoria Isernia, one of Amelia Island Opera’s co-founders, shared, “This season promises to be our most dynamic yet, highlighting our dedication to community engagement while maintaining the high standards we set for all our events.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets are available now at Amelia Island Opera. Tickets range from $40 to $75, and $10 student tickets are available for anyone under 18 years of age or anyone with a valid student ID (excluding A Night at the Opera: La Dolce Vita on November 1 and 2, 2024.) For questions, contact Amelia Island Opera at 904-556-7342 or [email protected].