Florida Grand Opera Presents “A Night in Mantua” Gala
Updated: Mar 17, 2022
Florida Grand Opera presents “A Night in Mantua,” a gala celebration following the opening night performance of Rigoletto on March 12, 2022, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring a personal invitation from the opera’s Duke of Mantua, the evening includes a lavish catered dinner by the Constellation Culinary Group, served onstage behind the Rigolettoset, in a decadent display of color, flowers, and textiles reflecting the hedonism of the Duke’s court. There will be dancing with live music provided by Kate Delaney Band. There will also be an opportunity to meet Rigoletto’s principal artists, who will be seated among the guests.
“The Duke informs me that this will be a rhapsodic evening,” says Victor Kendall, FGO Chief Development Officer, and temporary secretary to the Duke. “He will be opening his personal cellars for an open bar stocked with spirits by Bacardi and premium wines by Penfolds and I’ve heard rumors that a $3,500 bottle of Penfold Tawny Port is somehow involved in the evening.”The highlight of the gala is a drawing for a 2.1-carat cushion cut diamond, donated by Salah and Chang Turkmani on behalf of the Duke. The diamond’s appraisal value is $24,000.
“The Duke is a great connoisseur and supporter of the arts,” says Kendall. “All profits from gala and raffle tickets go to support Florida Grand Opera as we celebrate our 80th Anniversary Season. We are Florida’s longest operating performing arts organization. The great tenor Luciano Pavarotti made his American debut here in 1965, and for Rigoletto, we have the great baritone, Todd Thomas, singing his thirty-first production in the title role. We’re proud to be a longstanding part of Miami’s tremendous arts and culture scene.”Tickets are $1,000 per person for the gala only and must be reserved by March 4, 2022. Tickets to Rigoletto must be purchased separately. For a gala invitation, email Victor Kendall at vkendall@fgo.org or visit www.fgo.org. Tickets for Rigoletto range from $255-$21 and are available at www.fgo.org or by calling 1-800-741-1010.
RIGOLETTO PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
MIAMI
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County / Ziff Ballet Opera House
March 12, 2022, at 6:00pm
March 13, 2022, at 2:00pm
March 15, 2022, at 8:00pm
March 17, 2022, at 8:00 pm
FORT LAUDERDALE
Broward Center for the Performing Arts / Au-Rene Theater
March 31, 2022, at 7:30pm
April 2, 2022, at 7:30 pm