We are fortunate to live in Miami these days, not because we have the opportunity to go to the beach while the rest of the country is trying to stay warm but, because we are in full swing in one of the best opera seasons Florida Grand Opera has to offer. For so many that are unfamiliar with the Florida Grand Opera this is a perfect time to get better acquainted. The opening of La Rondine this week is a perfect introduction to the opera and proof that Miami has an impressive cultural scene with the Opera as its keystone.

The performance of La Rondine was one of Soprano – Elizabeth Caballero’s best performances where you are taken aback by her ranges and her uncanny ability to convey emotion to Bruno Rebeiro (Ruggero) as you are taken through this comedic and tragic story of love and necessity. The sets and scenes take you back to the turn of the century Paris in a cabaret and make for one of the liveliest and light-hearted operas you will be treated too.  We particularly enjoyed how Puccini wanted to make people laugh to involve you into the story, just as life is bitter sweet.

Puccini wasn’t able to come to terms with the conclusion of this opera and actually had re-written the opera 3 times (1917, 1920, 1921), before he passed away and left us with 2 alternate endings. There is no established final version of it, Puccini being dissatisfied with his own work, kept revising it many times, but died before clearly deciding on a final version.

You can still purchase tickets for the Miami performances till February 4that the Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. We are particularly looking forward to the opening of FGO’s Romeo & Juliette and Rigoletto.

Don’t miss the Hautest cultural season FGO has in store for us.

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