A grand way to start off your New Year would be to take in Vero Beach Opera’s fully staged production of Puccini’s “La Boheme” Sunday afternoon in Vero Beach. Its director, Robert Stivanello, has directed more than 100 productions of opera with one of them broadcast on PBS. He’s also designed nearly 500 opera productions. In fact, “La Boheme” will be adorned visually with costumes and sets from the Stivanello Costume Company of New York, which has worked for 98 years with opera countries around the country. The production will also have English supertitles for those who don’t speak Italian. The cast features eight artists, including tenor David Pershall, who made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 2015 as Figaro in “Barber of Seville,” which he performed recently with the Vero Beach Opera. Other featured performers were Metropolitan Opera audition semifinalists and members of the Stetson Opera Theatre Chorus. Moreover, the performers will sing to music by the Brevard Symphony Orchestra, conducted by VBO music director Caren Levine, who also works with the Met as assistant conductor/prompter. “She has been released from the Metropolitan Opera just to conduct this opera for VBO,” says Joan Ortega-Cowan, VBO president. “There will also be about 10 local children in the production. An outstanding cast … Puccini’s La Boheme is the world’s most famous and beloved opera. Love, passion, heartache, tragedy … it has it all.” By the way, “La Boheme” was the inspiration for the popular musical “Rent.” The show begins 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9 at the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center, 1707 16th St., Vero Beach. Tickets are $30 to $100. For more information, call 772-569-6993 or visit VeroBeachOpera.org.
Sunday afternoon is loaded with musical opportunities. Also performing that same day will be the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra featuring Wintley Phipps. The baritone is set to deliver a powerful and inspirational program which includes “It Is Well with my Soul,” “To God Be the Glory,” “Amazing Grace” and other beloved spirituals and hymns. A two-time Grammy Award nominee, Phipps is an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister and has performed for six American presidents and the late Nelson Mandela. He has appeared on television in a wide array of platforms, including the Billy Graham Crusades, “Saturday Night Live,” “Soul Train” and the “Oprah Winfrey Show.” The Space Coast Symphony Orchestra will be led by maestro Aaron Collins. “It is a great privilege for both myself and our musicians to work with Wintley,” Collins says. “Wintley is one of the most exciting performers in the world today. There is something special and magical when he takes the stage. I believe it will be a moving and cathartic experience for both us and our audience.” The concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Tickets are $30 general in advance and $35 at the door. Tickets are free to students 18 years and younger or with a college ID. Discounted tickets are available through the Symphony for Everyone program. Call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org.
The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County will hold “Bark in the Park” on Saturday in Vero Beach’s Riverside Park. The event includes “The Disc-Connected K9’s” world famous Frisbee Dogs; a Puppy Pals comedy stunt dog show; a Sherriff’s Department K-9 demonstration; a dog lure course; a dog parade and costume contest; a Kids Zone with bounce house; food vendors, beer and more. This family-friendly event attracts thousands of pet lovers and their well-behaved dogs on a (non-retractable) leash. The event is free, but donations gladly accepted, with proceeds benefiting homeless, abandoned and surrendered animals. “Bark in the Park” runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at Riverside Park in Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-388-3331 or visit BarkInTheParkVero.org.
CORRECTION: Oops. Sorry so say we misspoke last week. But happy to report that “The Rocket Man Show” will indeed take the stage this month at the Emerson Center. This is Rus Anderson’s Elton John tribute show with all the trappings. Brought to the stage by LIVE! From Vero Beach, the show begins 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Tickets are $35 to $85. For more information, call 800-595-4849 or visit MusicWorksConcerts.com.
