The massive fireplace in the grand entry hall of the Grand Harbor Golf Club glowed a warm welcome beneath sparkling crystal chandeliers as supporters of the Vero Beach Opera gathered to celebrate the upcoming 2026 Season during an exciting ‘A Night at the Opera Gala and Concert.’
The buzz of cordial conversation filled the air as the elegantly attired guests mixed and mingled, discussing the upcoming season and welcoming back returning snowbird members, while enjoying pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Welcoming arriving guests, VBO board member Carolyn Lange noted how opera membership has grown exponentially in the last eight years, and emphasized that having several membership levels allows maximum affordability. There are now nine membership levels, ranging from Donor ($50-$199) to Diva ($30,000 plus), with participation opportunities at every level.
The splendid dining hall was decorated with black-clad tables, color-popped with yellow napkins and centered with vibrant fall-into-winter-hued leaves and flowers of bright oranges and yellows.
Opening the evening, Nelson Cover, VBO development committee chairman, presented a summary of the opera’s Campaign for the Future, touching on the many impressive ways VBO has expanded and continues to develop its community outreach.
A Class Act: Opera in the Classroom is a program that brings music to students in Beachland, Fellsmere, Vero Beach and St. Helen elementary schools.
Their Piano Scholarship program awards full scholarships to local middle and high school students who qualify to study with pianist Marcos Daniel Flores, director of worship arts at Christ by the Sea.
Their Vocal Scholarship program is probably best recognized, as prizes are awarded annually during the Rising Stars Vocal Competition.
Their Opera Studies has expanded to offer a five-week course at Indian River State College, in addition to a program at the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
Last year, Cover said, VBO launched a “three-year, $3 million Campaign for the Future endowment effort with the goal of transitioning to a paid, professional, executive and administrative staff.”
Now that the campaign is well on its way to the first million, Cover encouraged the gathering to continue to support it “in the Spirit of Amici,” which refers to the enduring spirit of friendship, community and shared experiences.
Following a gourmet dinner, guests were treated to an extraordinary concert featuring Cuban-born soprano Evelyn Saavedra accompanied by pianist Juvenal Correa-Salas.
Chosen to showcase her dramatic and vocal range, Saavedra’s program included arias from Mozart, Verdi, Gounod and more. Praised for her “lustrous voice,” Saavedra wowed the house before uttering even one syllable, making her entrance in a stunningly gorgeous black-and-white gown fully worthy of an operatic diva.
With a diploma from Julliard and appearances in several prominent opera houses, including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Saavedra is known to Vero Beach audiences as Zerlina in 2024’s “Don Giovanni,” and as Musetta in 2022’s “La Boheme.”
With more than 20 years of international experience, Correa-Salas’ impressive bio includes performing, teaching and collaborating with such artists as Placido Domingo and Anton Coppola, and with his wife, soprano Libia Montano, leading the Libiamo Project. Correa-Salas’ masterful accompaniment perfectly supported and showcased Saavedra’s vocals.
Vero Beach Opera’s 2026 season opener is Verdi’s tragic opera “Rigoletto,” fully staged with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. It takes place at 3 p.m. Jan. 11 the VBHS Performing Arts Center.
For more information, visit VeroBeachOpera.org or call 772-569-6993.
Photos by Jessica Schmitt
