OPERA NAPLES, INC.
NAPLES, FLORIDA

is universally acclaimed as the foremost operatic baritone of his generation. With his powerful voice, commanding stage presence and rugged handsomeness, he received the kind of adulation that is usually reserved for tenors. He sang over 650 performances at the Met, where he was honored with sixteen new productions, seven opening nights, and ten national telecasts. As a leading artist in all of the world’s great opera houses, Mr. Milnes performed and recorded with the likes of Domingo, Pavarotti, Sutherland, Sills, Horne, Price, and Tebaldi. He is the winner of three Grammy Awards, and the most recorded American singer of his time. In 2008 he received the Opera News Award for Distinguished Achievement. Driven by his dedication to make the vocal arts vibrant, vital and entertaining in today’s world, Mr. Milnes continues to give masterclasses, judge competitions, and mentor new generations of singers. With his wife, Maria Zouves, he co-founded and runs the Sherrill Milnes VOICE Programs: VOICExperience Foundation and the Savannah VOICE Festival, which provide training and performance opportunities for aspiring young artists while fostering new audiences for the arts. Opera Naples has become firmly established as the city’s opera company and an important part of the cultural life of the region. We are proud to have earned local, regional and state government support, and are very grateful to our sponsors, donors and patrons who continue to encourage us and grow in number. The 2016/2017 season was important because Opera Naples completed Phase II of the Wang Opera Center construction, the mezzanine level. The Wang Opera Center accommodates our administrative offices, rehearsal rooms, set and costume storage and the Judy and John Hushon Theater. Here Opera Naples stages chamber operas and concerts, young artists’ auditions and performances and collaborates with other local artistic groups, such as Artis-Naples, TheatreZone, and the music department at various school such as Florida Gulf Coast University. The theater is also made available to a wide variety of local community groups. Our Mission To sustain a permanent local opera company that enriches the Southwest Florida community by presenting outstanding opera performances featuring internationally renowned soloists, and by conducting innovative educational programs that nurture the region’s promising young talent. Mission Objectives To enrich the Southwest Florida community by presenting opera performances and educational programs which engage internationally renowned performers and directors while nurturing regionally-based talent through the creation of a permanent local opera company. To produce at least three productions per season in a variety of styles, including traditional grand opera, American opera, operetta and contemporary works. RAMÓN TEBAR is considered one of the leading Spanish conductors of his generation. Recently appointed new Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Valencia Symphony Orchestra in Spain for a first period of four years, he holds other positions in both America and Europe such as: Opera Naples (Artistic Director, 2014-…), Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia (Principal Guest Conductor, 2015-…); Florida Grand Opera (Music Director and Principal Conductor, 2010-…, being the first Spanish conductor to be appointed Music Director of an American opera company); Palm Beach Symphony (Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, 2007-…); Santo Domingo Music Festival (2009-2015). Robin Shuford Frank is Chorus Master, Music Administrator, and Director of Educational Outreach for Opera Naples, for which she also serves as Musical Director for youth productions. She engages Southwest Florida’s youth through the company’s Student Apprentice Program, community outreach performances, Elementary In-School Tours, and Young Artist Program. An accomplished pianist, she serves as the rehearsal pianist for Opera Naples’ main productions as well as the pianist for community concerts and events. As chorus master, she prepares the adult and children’s choruses for all productions in which they appear. She is also the company’s orchestra personnel manager and librarian. Aside from her work with Opera Naples, Frank is the accompanist for The Festival Singers of Florida and also frequently performs with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and The Naples Players. She is a frequently sought guest accompanist for choral festivals around the country. Prior to moving to Naples, Frank was an Adjunct Professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, a rehearsal pianist for Palm Beach Opera, an Artist in Residence for Bak Middle School of the Arts, and a Pianist/Coach for Opera New Jersey. Frank has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida Gulf Coast University in the Bower School of Music since 2009. She has a Masters degree from Westminster Choir College in Accompanying and Vocal Coaching and a Bachelors degree in Music Education from The Florida State University. Leah has appeared extensively throughout Europe and the US. She has performed leading roles at the Vienna Staatsoper, New York City Opera, Dallas Opera, New Jersey Opera, Opera Colorado, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Naples, Pittsburgh Opera, Juilliard Opera Center, Opera Orchestra of New York with Eve Queller at Carnegie Hall. A soloist with the NY Chamber Orchestra, the Ensemble Musica Sacra in Salzburg, the Tanglewood Music Festival Orchestra, the New Juilliard Ensemble among others, the New York Festival of Song and Music Niagara in Canada. She has recorded Mahler’s 8th Symphony with the Dallas Symphony and solo songs by Stephan Volpe. A recipient of a Fulbright scholarship to Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, Austria, a Herbert von Karajan grant from the Vienna Staatsoper, a William Matheus Sullivan career grant and a finalist of the Richard Tucker Foundation Awards. She is a graduate of the University of Miami and the Juilliard School in NYC. Christopher Carter Production Manager and Technical Director