Juilliard, Symphony collaborate on opera

Joseph Caulkins

The Southwest Florida Symphony in partnership with The Juilliard School presents Opera Stars of Juilliard Jan. 12 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall. The concert will include scenes from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro and Copland's seldom heard The Tender Land. This costumed, semi-staged presentation features the full orchestra, Symphony chamber chorus and guest vocalists from The Juilliard School.

Associate Conductor and Director of Choruses Joseph Caulkins will conduct.

Six of Juilliard's rising young stars will be featured. Edward Berkeley, director of undergraduate opera studies at Juilliard, chose the students and will direct the production. In addition to his tenure at Juilliard, Berkeley also directs the Aspen Opera Theater Center and has directed productions at the N.Y. Shakespeare Festival and various NY city premieres.

Caulkins will hold a pre-concert discussion one hour prior to the start of the concert, which is free to all ticket holders. Single tickets are $15 - $50 and may be purchased by calling the Southwest Florida Symphony Box Office at 418-1500, on line at www.swflso.org or at Mann Hall the day of the performance.