Opera Orlando's The Mozart Dinner Is Sold Out

Opera Orlando and honorary chairs Margie and Chuck Steinmetz are pleased to announce the return of The Mozart Dinner on Saturday, January 27, 2024. Guests will enjoy an evening unlike any other with special guest opera singers, a string quartet, a candlelit dinner, a Mariachi band, and of course, Mozart himself all in the state of the art, acoustically ideal setting of Steinmetz Hall at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. For the first time, the event has sold out just from table sales. However, those interested in attending may be added to a waitlist for the event. 

The Mozart Dinner has become the Company’s premiere event, selling out for three straight seasons. This event serves as the Opera’s major fundraiser supporting productions and education programs which reach over 10,000 individuals each season. The evening will be led by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, portrayed by the multi-talented Julian Bond, who will present a musical program performed in three parts before and in between a Mexican inspired three-course dinner. Guests will enjoy Mozart’s glorious music along with some Mariachi surprises and a special “auction of arias.” Roseann Harrington, chief of staff for Orange County mayor Jerry Demings and committee chair for this event, remarked, “This has quickly become the culinary and musical event of the year in the ideal setting of Steinmetz Hall in its flattened floor, ballroom configuration. Not to mention the set for Opera Orlando’s production of Frida, which opens the night before in Steinmetz Hall, will provide the perfect backdrop for the evening. This is truly a once in a lifetime event and opportunity.”

Guest artists include tenor John Osborn and soprano Marie Laetitia along with the Fernwood String Quartet. Opera Orlando Studio Artists will also join in on the fun along with a couple other surprise guests. Cocktail reception will start at 6 p.m. with dinner and music at 7 p.m. The event is currently sold out but those interested in being added to the waitlist for the event can call or email Opera Orlando at (407) 512-1900 or at Info@OperaOrlando.org. 

American tenor John Osborn started his operatic career at an early age, winning the Metropolitan Opera National Council awards at the age of 21 and joining the Met's young artist development program right after college. He quickly launched an international career specializing in bel canto and French repertoire singing notable roles that include Alfredo in La traviata (Arena di Verona, Opera Classica Europa, Teatrul National De Opera Si Balet Oleg Danovski in Constanza, Romania), the Duke in Rigoletto (Opera Festival of New Jersey, Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Classica Europa), Rodolfo in La bohème (Phoenician International Festival of the Voice), Roméo in Roméo et Juliette (Salzburger Festspiele, Bruxelles' Palais des Bozarts, and the Arena di Verona); Werther in Werther (Frankfurt am Main), Des Grieux in Manon (Teatro Colón Buenos Aires; Opéra de Lausanne), Hoffmann in Les contes d’Hoffmann (Salle Pleyel de Paris; Opéra de Lyon; Dutch National Opera; Teatro San Carlo di Napoli; Gran Teatre de Liceu; Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, Valencia), Nadir in Les pêcheurs de perles (debut Royal Opera House Covent Garden; Gran Teatre de Liceu), and the title role in Faust (Opéra des Nation, Genève).

Mr. Osborn has received several awards including the 2011 Goffredo Petrassi Award for his portrayal as Arnold in Guillaume Tell with Antonio Pappano in Rome, Italy; 2012 Aureliano Pertile Award in Asti, Italy for his portrayal as Roméo at the Arena di Verona; the Italian Franco Abbiati Critics Award for best “Male Singer” for his critically acclaimed performances as Fernand in La favorite in Teatro La Fenice, Cellini in Benvenuto Cellini at Teatro dell’opera di Roma, and his Otello in Rossini’s Otello: ossia il moro di Venezia at the Teatro San Carlo di Napoli in the season 2016; the Italian "Oscar della Lirica" from Fondazione Arena di Verona in the category of "Best Tenor" 2016/17 (Awards Ceremony held in Haiku, Hainan, China); and recently, the prize BEST TENOR with the Friends of the Opera and Arts in Valencia, Spain for his performances as Hoffmann.

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, María Laetitia started studying voice at the age of 12. Later she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Puerto Rico. In 2010, Laetitia graduated from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, obtaining her Artist Diploma degree in voice. After this, she obtained her master's degree in voice performance at the Manhattan School 

of Music. In Florida, Laetitia has performed principal roles in The Marriage of Figaro with Opera 

Orlando, in La Traviata with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, and in The Marriage of Figaro with the Sarasota Apprentice Artist Program. In addition to many roles performed for opera and zarzuela scenes, Ms. Laetitia also has an extensive solo-concert résumé with the Symphonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico, the Philharmonic Orchestra Arturo Somohano of Puerto Rico, and the Pro-Arte Musical in Puerto Rico. She was part of the traditional-musical television special from Banco Popular of Puerto Rico, having the opportunity to share this musical experience with acclaimed Puerto Rican tenor Rafy Dávila as well as with Lourdes Robles and Glenn Monroig. She recently added to her zarzuela repertoire by performing Asunción from La del Manojo de Rosas. Ms. Laetitia also won first place in the Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions in the Florida District in 2013 and 2014.

Given The Mozart Dinner has already sold out, Opera Orlando is also pleased to announce the addition of a season ending celebration party entitled A Toast! A Toast! A Toast! which will be held at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando on May 11 at 5 p.m. before the Company’s final performance of the 2023-24 All for Art season. Tickets for that event start at $125 and are now on sale at A Toast! A Toast! A Toast! — Opera Orlando.

Many thanks to our event sponsors and supporters for The Mozart Dinner: 

Dr. Phillips Charities, Fairwinds Credit Union, Advent Health,
Ginsburg Family Foundation, Certified Financial Group, USF Federal Credit Union, Sundance Marketing & Printing, Lowndes Law Firm

See YOU at the Opera!

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About Opera Orlando:     Celebrating, expanding, and sharing the world’s greatest art form,  the 2023-24 season marks Opera Orlando’s eighth season producing high-quality operatic entertainment and educational programs that engage Central Florida audiences.