Opera Orlando will hold its fifth annual gala, A Great Night to Sing, in honor of Mary and Frank J Doherty on Saturday night, May 16. The stage will be the award-winning Alfond Inn at Rollins College in Winter Park with “Taking Names” columnist Scott Maxwell of Orlando Sentinel as the host. Guests will enjoy dinner, drinks and dancing, a silent and live auction, incredible opera selections performed by a quartet of nationally renowned soloists accompanied by pianist Robin Jensen, and a special tribute to the honorees.
“We have a lot to wait for in Opera Orlando at the beginning of our fifth season of bringing opera to our Beautiful City, as well as the opening of Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, our MainStage house,” explained the president of the board of directors John Wettach “Many donors have taken a step forward to help us prepare for our move to the new room. Mary and Frank have really led the charge for this to happen, and we are delighted to honor them at our Gala. It will be a Special night to celebrate his incredible contributions and dedication to opera in Orlando. ”
Attendees will enjoy a real feast for the ears, as Opera Orlando welcomes the Metropolitan Opera singer and internationally acclaimed under Gregg Baker who will sing at the event. His unique career has extended for decades with his dominant voice and presence astonishing audiences on stage, on recordings and on television.
Mr. Baker’s recent performances include Parsifal with Stuttgart Opera and Opera Municipal de Santiago, Margaret Garner with New York City Opera and Michigan Opera Theater in Detroit, and Aida at the Metropolitan Opera. He’s a Broadway veteran who starred in Porgy & Bess, Timbuktu! with Eartha Kitt, Raisin and The Wiz with Stephanie Mills.
Other highlights of his career include a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for best supporting actor in a musical for his portrayal of Husky Miller in the presentation of Carmen Jones at the West End of London in 1991, as well as a Grammy nomination in 1989 for the role of Crown in the Porgy & Bess album of that year. Mr. Baker will be accompanied by a trio of singers in a program of beloved arias and opera ensembles along with a preview of the 2020-21 season of Opera Orlando.
“People have said that nobody organizes a party like opera, and this year we are doing everything possible, especially with our singers,” said executive and artistic director Gabriel Preisser. “Prepare for spectacular songs, good food, good company and , as always, some surprises to a large extent. ”
Cocktails and snacks will be served at 6 p.m., followed by a formal dinner at 7 p.m. All proceeds and money raised from the gala will go to the upcoming seasons of Opera Orlando while preparing to move to the Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center in the fall of 2020.
Opera Orlando is a registered 501c3 nonprofit organization and, therefore, a portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. Corporate and group tables, as well as individual tickets, are available. The dress is formal etiquette. For reservations and additional information, contact the Opera Orlando office at info@operaorlando.org or 407-512-1900 or visit http://operaorlando.org/gala.
WHAT: A great night to sing – the fifth annual Opera Orlando gala
WHEN: Saturday | May 16 6 p.m. (cocktail hour) | 7 p.m. (formal dinner)
WHERE: The Alfond Inn at Rollins College
300 E. New England Ave., Winter Park, Florida
TICKETS: Individual tickets start at $ 250 | Tables of eight start at $ 3,000
http://operaorlando.org/gala | (407) 512-1900 | info@operaorlando.org
