Florentine Opera Songbird Press Release

The Florentine Opera’s Songbird takes flight on Valentine’s Day weekend. The second mainstage performance of its  90th season “With a Twist” transports audiences to the vibrant world of 1920s New Orleans during Mardi Gras, delivering a theatrical experience brimming with charm, laughter, and the magic of the era. Street singer Songbird must choose between a life of ease or a life of art and love, the singer’s eternal quandary. Set to music from the composer of the Can-Can, the play unfolds a whimsical tale of struggling artists, Songbird and Piquillo, navigating love, misunderstandings, and unexpected twists at the Café des Muses. Songbird takes place on February 16 and 18  at Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Friday showtime is 7:30pm and Sunday showtime is 2:30pm. The performance is 90 minutes long with no intermission. Sung in English and French with English and French supertitles.

“Step into the lively world of Songbird, where a New Orleans Jazz rendition meets the charm of a French operetta. It’s a playful and fun experience, one I picture as a hot pink boa – a spectacle with abundant pizazz,” shares Maggey Oplinger, General Director and CEO of the Florentine Opera. “Amidst the Wisconsin winter, February will feel like a vacation as the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras comes alive on our stage.”

Stage Director and Florentine Resident Artistic Consultant, Jill Anna Ponasik, adds, “The grayer the skies get, the more eager I am to dive into the world of Songbird, which explodes with color, mischief, joy, and jazz.  There’s nowhere livelier than the Cafe Des Muses during this particular Mardi Gras.  Come have a drink with us, and Laissez les bon temps rouler!”

Studio artists around the country return to Milwaukee: Songbird not only captures the spirit of Mardi Gras but also celebrates the artistry of Baumgartner Studio Artist alums, showcasing their contribution to the future of opera. In its 16th season of programming, The Donald and Donna Baumgartner Studio Artist professional residency is designed to ensure the future of opera by providing emerging artists from around the country with comprehensive training, advanced instruction, and professional performance opportunities.

Lindsay Metzger, mezzo-soprano | 2014-15 Baumgartner Studio Artist:

Mezzo-Soprano Lindsay Metzger, lauded for her “easy stage manner and refined voice,” recently debuted with Austin Opera as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro. A graduate of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center, Metzger’s versatile career includes performances with Dallas Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, Opera San Antonio, and notable roles at Lyric Opera of Chicago. Recognized for her competition successes, she has garnered prestigious awards, including the Richard F. Gold Career Grant and the Luminarts Fellowship. Metzger, an alumna of Des Moines Metro Opera and Florentine Opera, holds degrees from DePaul University and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Aaron Short, tenor | 2013-14 and 2014-15 Baumgartner Studio Artist:

Tenor Aaron Short, a former Studio Artist at Florentine Opera, rejoins for the 2023/2024 season, having previously excelled as the Steurmann in Der fliegende Holländer. His impressive career includes young artist residencies at Florentine Opera and Portland Opera, where he received critical acclaim for his role debut as Lensky in Eugene Onegin, and notable performances with organizations such as Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Knoxville Opera, Dallas Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Nashville Opera.

Alisa Jordheim, soprano | 2012-13 Baumgartner Studio Artist:

Praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as “vocally resplendent” with “impeccable coloratura,” Ms. Jordheim, acclaimed soprano, originated the role of Lola in Aldridge’s Sister Carrie with Florentine Opera. A versatile artist, she has performed with renowned orchestras and opera companies, including Florentine Opera, Milwaukee Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Cincinnati Opera. A recipient of multiple awards, including the Rose Bampton Award and the 2016 William Matheus Sullivan Musical Foundation career grant, Ms. Jordheim holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Ms. Jordheim makes her home in Milwaukee.

Tickets for Songbird are available now and can be purchased by visiting  www.florentineopera.org, emailing  tickets@florentineopera.org, or calling 414.291.5700 ext. 224. Don’t miss your chance to experience this timeless classic brought to life by one of Wisconsin’s oldest performing arts companies.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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