2021 Season
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The Barber of seville by Gioachino RossiniActing as a sort of prequel to Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro, The Barber of Seville, is a hilarious, fast-paced comedy. FLO's production was set in an urban playground, drawing inspiration from the outdoor pavilion venue.
Jonathan Michie, Figaro
Taylor Raven, Rosina Carlos Enrique Santelli, Count Almaviva Joseph Barron, Bartolo Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor Stephanie Havey, stage director Charles Murdock Lucas, scenic design Derek Van Heel, lighting design |
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Opera HITS!Featuring the amazing 2021 Tomita Young Artists, Opera HITS! was the perfect opportunity to hear all the best opera arias and musical theatre songs in one night.
Veena Akama-Makia, mezzo-soprano
Danielle Bechvermit, soprano Nathaniel Catasca, tenor Jongwon Choi, baritone Imara Miles, mezzo-soprano John Allen Nelson, baritone Robert H. Riordan, baritone David Soto Zambrana, tenor Robin Steiz, soprano |
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Summer Scenes: Make Our Garden GrowThis evening featured an evening of good food, better wine, and the best opera scenes performed by the 2021 Tomita Young Artists.
Veena Akama-Makia, mezzo-soprano
Danielle Bechvermit, soprano Nathaniel Catasca, tenor Jongwon Choi, baritone Imara Miles, mezzo-soprano John Allen Nelson, baritone Robert H. Riordan, baritone David Soto Zambrana, tenor Robin Steiz, soprano |
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the Three Little Pigs by John DaviesFeaturing music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Three Little Pigs tells the story of siblings Despina, Cherubino, and Don Giovanni as they try to build wolf-proof houses.
Danielle Beckvermit and Rose Kearin, Despina
Veena Akama-Makia and Victoria Thomasch, Cherubino John Allen Nelson, Don Giovanni Robert H. Riordan, Wolfgang Bigbad |
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Dazzling Debut RecitalThe highlight of this recital featuring Kearstin Piper Brown and Jorell Williams was the world premiere of B.E. Boykin's new song cycle, Moments In Sonder.
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2020 Season
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Pinnochio by John DaviesPinocchio, a children's opera, tells the classic fairy-tale story with an operatic twist, featuring music by Wolfgang Amadeus. Mozart, Gaetano Donizetti, Jacques Offenbach, and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.
David Soto Zambrana, Pinocchio
Robin Steiz, Olympia and Lady in Blue Robert H. Riordan, Wolf and Dr. Dulcamara Matthew Campisi, Geppetto Victoria Thomasch, Cat |
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Online Recital SeriesWithout a main-stage production to rally around, Finger Lakes Opera instead chose to highlight amazing singers through an Online Recital Series that extended into the beginning of 2021.
Elena O'Connor, soprano
Chiao-Wen Cheng, piano Jorell Williams, baritone Rachael Kerr, piano Kearstin Piper Brown, soprano Chiao-Wen Cheng, piano B.E. Boykin, composer and piano Taylor Raven, mezzo-soprano Louis Lohraseb, piano Carlos Enrique Santelli, tenor Christopher James Ray, piano Jonathan Michie, tenor Paulo Almeida, piano |
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Opera Goes DigitalThough the 2020 Season was postposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Tomita Young Artists were busy all summer recording from their homes to produce three incredible online events as part of the Opera Goes Digital Series: Aria Nights, Summer Scenes, and Online HITS!
Sydney Anderson, soprano
Matthew Campisi, tenor Nathaniel Catasca, tenor Jongwon Choi, baritone Nicholas Danker, baritone Stephanie Doche, mezzo-soprano Robert H. Riordan, baritone David Soto Zambrana, tenor Robin Steiz, soprano Victoria Thomasch, mezzo-soprano Brock Tjosvold, piano
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2019 Season
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La Bohème by Giacomo PucciniA tale as old as time, this beloved story translates beautifully to the grand opera stage: so Finger Lakes Opera pulled out all the stops with this production of La Bohème.
Elaine Alvarez, Mimi
Jonathan Burton, Rodolfo David Pershall, Marchello Marlen Nahhas, Musetta Jorell Williams, Schaunard Alex Soare, Colline Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor Michael Ehrman, stage director Michael Lasswell, scenic sesign Brian Barnett, lighting design |
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OPERA HITS!Nailing the balance between "a night at the opera" and a singing highlight reel, Opera HITS! was a main-stage concert celebrating all the fan-favorite opera arias and Broadway tunes sung by the 2019 Young Artists.
Rachel Abrams, mezzo-soprano
David Fournie, baritone Julianna Grabowski, soprano Rose Kearin, soprano Anders Namestnik, tenor Starletta Noll-Long, soprano Evan Stenzel, tenor |
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Summer Scenes: Seasons of LoveOpera doesn't always need to be in an opera house! This scenes program featured the 2019 Young Artists singing bite-size chunks of famous (and romantic!) operas.
Rachel Abrams, mezzo-soprano
David Fournie, baritone Julianna Grabowski, soprano Rose Kearin, soprano Anders Namestnik, tenor Starletta Noll-Long, soprano Evan Stenzel, tenor |
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Jack & the Beanstalk by John DaviesWith giants and golden hens, this children's opera tells the fairytale story of Jack and the magical beanstalk growing in his backyard. Featuring music by Sir Arthur Sullivan, Jack & The Beanstalk is a whole bunch of fun for the whole family.
Anders Namestnik, Jack B. Nimble
Rose Kearin, Mrs. Nimble Rachel Abrams, Giant's Wife Michael Galvin and David Fournie, Giant Evan Stenzel, Trouble Man Julianna Grabowski, Narrator Starletta-Noll Long, Narrator Lindsay Warren Baker, stage director
Marika Yasudo, music director Julie Covach, piano |
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Jorell Williams RecitalFinger Lakes Opera and Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance collaborate to present a recital featuring renowned baritone Jorell Williams.
Jorell Williams, baritone
Kevin Nitsch, piano In collaboration with Joseph Avenue Arts and Culture Alliance
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2018 Season
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DIE FLEDERMAUS by Johann Strauss IIBringing the world's best party onto the operatic stage isn't an easy task, but Finger Lakes Opera delivered with this thrilling - and hilarious - production of Die Fledermaus.
Elena O’Connor, Rosalinde
Jonathan Michie, Eisenstein Cree Carrico, Adele Bray Wilkins, Alfred Clara Nieman, Orlofsky Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor Gary John LaRosa, stage director Jeff Ridenour, scenic design Nic Minetor, lighting design |
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OPERA POPSThe first of many highlight concerts, 2018's Opera Pops featured the 2018 Young Artists singing beloved opera arias and Broadway hits, including selections from Madama Butterfly, West Side Story, and Le nozze di Figaro.
Jordan Bachmann, baritone
Caryn Crozier, soprano Caroline Nielson, mezzo-soprano Susannah Thornton, mezzo-soprano Evan Stenzel, tenor Alison Wahl, soprano |
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LITTLE RED’S MOST UNUSUAL DAY by John DaviesFeaturing music by Jacques Offenbach and Gioachino Rossini, children's opera Little Red's Most Unusual Day builds on the story of Little Red Riding Hood and her forest neighbors.
Alison Wahl, Little Red
Caroline Nielson, Mom Evan Stenzel, Dudley Jordan Bachmann, Mr. Bigbad Caryn Crozier, Granny Jason Alexander Holmes, music director
John Davies, stage director |
2017 Season
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TOSCA by Giacomo PucciniA tragic story of passion and jealously, Puccini's dramatic opera Tosca tells the story of the title character and her fight to save her lover. Finger Lakes Opera's production of Tosca was impactful and enticing, and marked FLO's first production as an independent nonprofit company.
Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor Fenlon Lamb, stage director Jeff Ridenour, scenic design Nic Minetor, lighting design |
2016 Season
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LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe VerdiCommonly ranked as the most popular opera in the world, La Traviata, tells the tragic tale of Violetta, her love story, and her inevitable death.
Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor Fenlon Lamb, stage director Jeff Ridenour, scenic design |
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I LOVE A PIANO by Irving BerlinFinger Lakes Opera's second musical theatre revue, I Love A Piano celebrates the work of Irving Berlin, one of the great American songwriters.
Joseph Dellger, baritone
Missy Dowse, soprano Michelle Liu Coughlin, mezzo-soprano Alan M-L Wager, tenor |
2015 Season
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l'Elisir d'Amore by Gaetano DonizettiL'Elisir d'Amore, or The Elixir of Love, is a vivacious romantic comedy. Finger Lakes Opera's imaginative setting pulls the opera from its original setting in the 18th century Spanish countryside to a sparkling, updated production in the American Roarin' 20's.
Andrea Carroll, as Adina
Rolando Sanz, as Nemorino Liam Bonner, as Sergeant Belcore Corey Crider, as Dr. Dulcamara Angela Libertella Calabrese, as Gianetta Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor E. Loren Meeker, stage director Laura Fine Hawkes, scenic design Nic Minetor, lighting design |
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A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING by Rodgers and HammersteinA musical revue showcasing music from famous duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, A Grand Night for Singing represented Finger Lakes Opera's first venture into a more intimate setting.
Evan Jones, baritone
Nathan Meyer, tenor Whitney Meyer, soprano Marisa Rivera, mezzo-soprano Hallie Silverston, soprano |
2014 Season
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CARMEN by Georges BizetOne of the world's most iconic operas, Carmen comes to life with its lighthearted beginning and inevitably tragic climax. With J'Nai Bridges singing the title role, FLO's first operatic production was truly show-stopping.
Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra
Gerard Floriano, conductor E. Loren Meeker, stage director Laura Fine Hawkes, scenic design Nic Minetor, lighting design |
2013 Season
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Grand Opening Gala PerformanceCelebrating the official beginning of Finger Lakes Opera, founder Gerard Floriano led four amazing singers and the Finger Lakes Opera Orchestra in this stunning gala performance.
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The History of Finger Lakes Opera
On a brilliant summer’s day in 2012 on the campus of the State University of New York at Geneseo, Finger Lakes Opera was born. Artistic Director and Founder Gerard Floriano and then SUNY Geneseo President Christopher Dahl envisioned creating a summer professional opera festival in the heart of the Finger Lakes, where outstanding singers, designers, and directors could come together to create bold new productions of grand operatic masterpieces resplendent with spectacular sets, dazzling costumes, inventive staging, all accompanied by a professional orchestra. Floriano and Dahl also envisaged the company enlivening the local community through its residency and by the potential 2000 plus attendees who would attend performances each summer. For three years, Finger Lakes Opera (FLO) presented fabulous productions under SUNY Geneseo’s umbrella.
In October 2016, in the midst of planning for the 2017 season, SUNY Geneseo opted not to continue the partnership. FLO’s advisory council believed in Floriano and Dahl’s original vision and was committed to its continuation. Thus, within several months, the council secured 501(c)(3) status to continue operating as a non-profit arts organization. A board was formed, by-laws were created, and articles of incorporation drawn up.
Although based in Rochester, NY, the company planned to perform in venues across the Finger Lakes area and was looking for performance space. Fortunately, Canandaigua answered the call. From 2017–2019, the company primarily performed in this beautiful community with mainstage performances held in the state-of-the-art theater at the Canandaigua Academy. During the pandemic, FLO expanded its presence online and continued to pursue alternative performance sites. In 2021, its mainstage production moved to the Center Stage Amphitheater in Perinton, NY. It is the company’s hope to strengthen its presence in Monroe County and continue to support appearances in Ontario and Livingston counties.
During the first three years as a new, non-profit organization, the board functioned not only as passionate advocates and active volunteers but also essentially staff. They, along with Artistic Director Gerard Floriano, were responsible for the planning and production of FLO’s fully staged opera as well as the concert, currently called Opera HITS! In the 2018 season, FLO established a Young Artist Program and offered its first children’s production, Little Red’s Most Unusual Day. The Young Artist Program serves as a training ground for emerging professional singers, and at the end of the 2019 summer season, FLO received a major gift that elevated the program’s status. Now called the Grandmaster Mutsuo Tomita Young Artist Program, FLO awarded twelve spots for the 2021 summer season. The goal of the program is to provide each participant a weekly stipend, housing, vocal workshops, masterclasses and, of course, the opportunity to perform alongside the seasoned professional artists of FLO.
In 2018 FLO secured a grant from the New York Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support its first staff person, a part-time executive director. In late February, Elizabeth G. Long was hired to assume this position. Long has over fifteen years of fundraising and management experience in the non-profit performing arts business and began her tenure March 1, 2019. During her first season with FLO, she helped the organization balance its budget, increase earned and contributed revenue by 52% and guide the board into a strategic planning process.
In mid-March of 2020, while promoting the summer season, the world came to a halt with the COVID-19 pandemic. It became clear that for FLO to ensure the safety of its artists, staff, and patrons, and to remain financially viable, the responsible action was to postpone its entire summer season. FLO enhanced its online presence by using the talents of its 2020 Tomita Young Artists and select mainstage artists through the presentation of recitals and collaborative performances. From late May 2020 to mid-April 2021, FLO presented four concerts, two recitals, and four video-podcasts. FLO also committed to producing educational and outreach programs throughout the Finger Lakes region in the fall of 2021 as a means to continue bringing more opera to more people.
In October 2016, in the midst of planning for the 2017 season, SUNY Geneseo opted not to continue the partnership. FLO’s advisory council believed in Floriano and Dahl’s original vision and was committed to its continuation. Thus, within several months, the council secured 501(c)(3) status to continue operating as a non-profit arts organization. A board was formed, by-laws were created, and articles of incorporation drawn up.
Although based in Rochester, NY, the company planned to perform in venues across the Finger Lakes area and was looking for performance space. Fortunately, Canandaigua answered the call. From 2017–2019, the company primarily performed in this beautiful community with mainstage performances held in the state-of-the-art theater at the Canandaigua Academy. During the pandemic, FLO expanded its presence online and continued to pursue alternative performance sites. In 2021, its mainstage production moved to the Center Stage Amphitheater in Perinton, NY. It is the company’s hope to strengthen its presence in Monroe County and continue to support appearances in Ontario and Livingston counties.
During the first three years as a new, non-profit organization, the board functioned not only as passionate advocates and active volunteers but also essentially staff. They, along with Artistic Director Gerard Floriano, were responsible for the planning and production of FLO’s fully staged opera as well as the concert, currently called Opera HITS! In the 2018 season, FLO established a Young Artist Program and offered its first children’s production, Little Red’s Most Unusual Day. The Young Artist Program serves as a training ground for emerging professional singers, and at the end of the 2019 summer season, FLO received a major gift that elevated the program’s status. Now called the Grandmaster Mutsuo Tomita Young Artist Program, FLO awarded twelve spots for the 2021 summer season. The goal of the program is to provide each participant a weekly stipend, housing, vocal workshops, masterclasses and, of course, the opportunity to perform alongside the seasoned professional artists of FLO.
In 2018 FLO secured a grant from the New York Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support its first staff person, a part-time executive director. In late February, Elizabeth G. Long was hired to assume this position. Long has over fifteen years of fundraising and management experience in the non-profit performing arts business and began her tenure March 1, 2019. During her first season with FLO, she helped the organization balance its budget, increase earned and contributed revenue by 52% and guide the board into a strategic planning process.
In mid-March of 2020, while promoting the summer season, the world came to a halt with the COVID-19 pandemic. It became clear that for FLO to ensure the safety of its artists, staff, and patrons, and to remain financially viable, the responsible action was to postpone its entire summer season. FLO enhanced its online presence by using the talents of its 2020 Tomita Young Artists and select mainstage artists through the presentation of recitals and collaborative performances. From late May 2020 to mid-April 2021, FLO presented four concerts, two recitals, and four video-podcasts. FLO also committed to producing educational and outreach programs throughout the Finger Lakes region in the fall of 2021 as a means to continue bringing more opera to more people.
