Events

Rising Stars Opera Festival: Competition and Finals Concert

OPERA FESTIVAL: MARCH 22, 23, & 24, 2023

Each year Vero Beach Opera invites at least 10 of the MET Opera Laffont Audition Finalists to compete for cash prizes in Vero Beach. Judges include Randall Romig, Chairman, MET Opera Laffont Auditions, Southeast Region; Gregory Buchalter, Music Director & Conductor for Varna International, and Assistant Conductor for the MET Opera; Russell Franks, Vero Beach Opera Artistic Director; Román Ortega-Cowan, Vero Beach Opera Artistic Advisor; and Eva Franchi, Founder of the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation.

On March 22, at 2:00 p.m., the 2023 Rising Stars Opera Festival kicks off with the Vocal Competition Semi-Finals. The Finals are the following day, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. Then on March 24 at 7:00 p.m., the Competitors sing a Concert, culminating in the announcement of winners and awards.

The 2022 Vero Beach Opera Rising Stars first place winner with $10,000 was Jongwon Han, a Korean bass-baritone currently covering the role of Bartolo in Il barbiere di Siviglia with Santa Fe Opera. In second place with a cash prize of $5,000 was soprano Brittany Olivia Logan, who is currently singing the roles of the Priestess in Aida and Clotilde in Norma with the MET Opera.

The Rising Stars Competition offers a $20 two-day pass to the Semi and Final rounds. Concert tickets range from $30 to $50.

Tickets are on sale now. Purchase tickets online at www.VeroBeachOpera.org. You may also call the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center Box office, which has limited hours, at (772) 564-5537.