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= Opera Orlando = Opera Orlando is an opera company located in Central Florida. Established in 2016 by Gabriel Preisser and the Florida Opera Theatre, it provides educational programs in addition to mainstage and on-the-town productions.

Opera Orlando's mainstage performances take place at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where productions occur four to six times per season.

History
In 2009, after half a century of operation, the Orlando Opera permanently closed its doors. The space that closure left was temporarily filled by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Florida Opera Theatre. Under the leadership of the Florida Opera Theatre, Opera Orlando was founded in 2016 by current general director and CEO Gabriel Preisser.

The company hosted a successful fundraising gala in March that same year, earning donations from about 200 artists, art lovers, and enthusiastic supporters. This fundraising effort led to the company's inaugural productions in April 2016. These were Mozart's Impresario and Poulenc's Les Mamelles de Tirésias on-stage at the Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

In June 2016, the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting caused the Orlando community to come together. Opera Orlando hosted the benefit One Voice Orlando: A Celebration in Song[1] to assist six different charities in the Orlando area. This effort proved fruitful and helped uplift the community through fundraising and the arts. While mainstage productions have always been at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the company initially operated on the Walt Disney Theatre and Alexis and Jim Pugh Theatre stages. In 2020, their productions moved to the newly-constructed Steinmetz Hall as it was a space more ideal for Grand Opera.

The company will celebrate their tenth anniversary during the 2026-27 season.

Programs
In addition to its seasonal productions, Opera Orlando enriches the Central Florida community year-round through its youth and educational programs.

Opera Orlando Youth Company
Aimed at those aged 8-18, the Opera Orlando Youth Company trains aspiring artists for a season, focusing on classical music, opera, and theatre. Workshops emphasize healthy vocal techniques, performance skills, and artistic creativity. Those in the youth company can also become involved in MainStage productions. This company was showcased in the 2023/24 staging of The Juniper Tree.

Studio Artists
The Studio Artists program is designed for post-graduate singers, ages 24+. This program gives accepted auditionees the chance to gain performance experience by covering Mainstage roles, working alongside guest artists in masterclass settings, and receiving multi-faceted training. This program engages with the Central Florida community through outreach events.

Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers
In 2020, Opera Orlando began their Sings! Summer Institute for the Next Generation of Singers program. This 6-day summer intensive is for high school and undergraduate college students, ages 15 to 20.

During this time, typically in late July, students are instructed directly by Opera Orlando staff and artists. Participants receive coaching on individual repertoire, attend opera-specific masterclasses, and discuss what a career in opera entails, such as earning a music degree. Students are informed about both artistic and business matters. Classes include resume-building, participants have the opportunity to take headshots and perform in a recorded showcase concert that may be added to their portfolio.

Community Efforts
Opera Orlando gives back to the community through in-school opera previews, masterclasses with company artists, and invitations to dress rehearsals for MainStage productions.

In-school opera previews engage students by familiarizing them with one of the season's mainstage productions and facilitating discussions with Studio Artists. Lesson plans are provided to teachers as additional educational material. Uniquely, invited Studio Artists perform an abridged program in the classroom.

During a masterclass, teaching artists visit schools and work with singers in a masterclass setting, helping to prepare students for solos, ensemble positions, or Thespian competitions.

Schools that register will receive an invitation for students to attend one of the season's final dress rehearsals.

Education programs and the Opera Orlando Youth Company are supported by the City of Orlando.

Special events include The Mozart Dinner at Steinmetz Hall. This is an annual fundraiser with a three-course dinner, drinks, and a musical program.

Seasons
Productions take place on the MainStage at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Opera on the Town performances are staged throughout Central Florida.