Embracing the very essence of grandeur, the Vero Beach Opera’s annual members-only gala, A Night at the Opera, took place at the Grand Harbor Clubhouse, which resonated with warmth and holiday cheer.
The glittering crowd of men in black tie and women in elegant attire mixed and mingled during an evening that glowed under the skillful hands of event chair Marcia Loewinger. Following the social hour, guests took seats in the dining hall at tables centered with colorful bouquets, the elegant decor the work of Joanne Webster.
After a sumptuous meal, the highlight of the evening was a private concert featuring a dynamic program of opera favorites by Rossini, Puccini, Mozart, Offenbach, Bellini, Wagner and Verdi, plus a nod to Rogers and Hammerstein.
The performers were two of VBO’s Rising Stars winners, soprano Chelsea Lehnea and bass-baritone Andrew Allen Hiers. They were accompanied on the piano by Anthony Baron, VBO chorus master and director of music at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Hiers opened the program with “La Calunnia” from Rossini’s comic opera “Barber of Seville,” performing a powerful and humorous interpretation that delighted the audience.
Hiers had impressed local audiences as Benoit in VBO’s 2022 “La Boheme,” and as Il Commendatore in VBO’s 2024 production of “Don Giovanni.” In those as with this program, Hiers displayed the “mature musicianship and superb comedic timing” for which he is known.
With a powerful voice the New York Times described as “mercurially colored, flowing seamlessly through its register,” Lehnea is recently returned from her European debut. She was second prize winner of VBO’S 2023 Rising Stars Vocal Competition, and performed in its 2024 Best of Broadway and Opera concert.
Among other arias, Lehnea sang “È strano … Sempre libera” from Verdi’s opera “La Traviata,” which she had performed in the 2023 Rising Stars competition; in each thrilling the audience as she nailed a glorious and stratospheric high E flat.
The concert concluded with the pair singing one of Broadway’s best, “If I Loved You” from Rogers and Hammerstein’s beloved “Carousel.”
Since its beginnings 35 years ago, the nonprofit VBO has grown exponentially, and today has more members than ever. According to VBO President Joan Ortega-Cowan, thanks to the dedication, vision and labors of its loyal and dedicated volunteers, the VBO has reached its current growth limits.
“To ensure continuity and operational sustainability, we must replace our professional volunteer administrative team with a professional salaried staff. The VBO’s artistic staff has been fee-based for many years,” she added.
Their Campaign for Future Sustainability has been given a jump start with a contribution of $300,000 by the Brickman Family Foundation.
For more information, visit VeroBeachOpera.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
