Outdoor opera festival brings music to Naples' Baker Park

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—Opera Naples is preparing to host its Festival Under the Stars at Baker Park, bringing outdoor opera performances to the community.

The festival has been held in the community for the past six years and features productions with singers, a chorus, and a live orchestra.

“This is the only outdoor winter opera festival in the United States. You can come March 11 through the 15 here in Baker Park,” said Melanie Kalnins, executive director of Opera Naples. “On March 11 and 13, you can come to Puccini’s opera Turandot, and on March 12 and 14, you can come to The Elixir of Love, which was written by another Italian composer, Donizetti. And then the final round of our competition is on March 15 here in Baker Park.”

Artistic and Music Director Ramon Tebar highlighted the scale of the festival’s productions, which include a large orchestra and dozens of singers.

“The plot of the opera is something so captivating,” said Tebar. “We have a huge orchestra, a 60-piece orchestra, plus 70 choristers, and then more than 10 principals.”

Community members are also looking forward to the event.

“I’m just excited to come. I love the opera. I love the art,” said Francine Johnson, a seasonal resident.

“It’s a great way to bring together the community,” said Robert Johnson, another seasonal resident.

Kalnins also noted that English supertitles will be available so audiences can follow along.

“Even though our operas are performed in Italian, we do offer English supertitles,” said Kalnins.

All performances are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.