Opera à la Carte
February 21, 2026 - 3 PM
Moorings Presbyterian Church
Opera’s Greatest Drama & Beauty with Metropolitan Opera's, Jazmine Saunders
Experience the power and poetry of opera in one unforgettable evening—Verdi, Mascagni, Beethoven, and Wagner at their most brilliant. With rising star Jazmine Saunders bringing Verdi’s arias to life, expect passion, grandeur, and virtuosity.
Featuring
Met Opera's rising soprano, Jazmine Saunders, to perform some of Opera's most touching arias.
Experience the power and poetry of opera in one unforgettable evening—Verdi, Mascagni, Beethoven, and Wagner at their most brilliant. With rising star Jazmine Saunders bringing Verdi’s arias to life, expect passion, grandeur, and virtuosity.
Jazmine Saunders appears by kind permission of The Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young
Artist Development Program.
Giuseppi Verdi:
Overture to La Forza del destino (The Force of Destiny)
Verdi’s overture launches with a striking “fate” motif that echoes through the opera’s tragic tale, where love and vengeance collide in a swirl of destiny. Thrilling brass and urgent strings set the stage for a saga of doomed romance, pursuit, and forgiveness, all distilled into one electrifying orchestral opener. Its sweeping themes and dramatic energy have made it one of Verdi’s most popular overtures, beloved for its cinematic storytelling.
Duration: 8'
Giuseppi Verdi: "Gualtier Maldè... Caro nome" from Rigoletto
“Caro nome” is a dazzling showcase for soprano, as Rigoletto’s daughter Gilda tenderly dreams of new love in sparkling coloratura phrases. The aria captures innocence and longing with delicate ornamentation that floats effortlessly above the orchestra. Jazmine Saunders, Lindemann Young Artist at the Metropolitan Opera, brings Gilda’s rapturous joy and youthful hope alive in this beloved scene.
Duration: 8'
Pietro Mascagni: Intermezzo, from Cavalleria Rusticana
The Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana gently bathes the listener in lush, pastoral nostalgia, bridging moments of intense drama with heart-stirring calm. Mascagni’s most famous orchestral interlude evokes sunrise over Sicilian hills, painting a soundscape of bittersweet longing and quiet beauty. Its elegant melody and glowing harmonies have graced countless films and concert stages worldwide.
Duration: 4'
Giuseppi Verdi: “E strano, e strano...Follie, follie...Sempre Libera” from La Traviata
“Sempre libera” bursts forth with energetic coloratura fireworks as Violetta celebrates independence and the exhilarating risks of love. The aria’s high-flying leaps and sparkling trills showcase both vocal virtuosity and emotional intensity. Jazmine Saunders stars as Violetta, making this operatic favorite a thrilling highlight of the night.
Duration: 8'
Intermission
Ludwig van Beethoven: Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b
Beethoven packs the tension and triumph of his entire opera Fidelio into the heroic Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72b—an all-encompassing musical journey brimming with hope, suspense, and liberation. Dramatic fanfares and lyrical themes capture Leonore’s courage as she attempts to rescue her imprisoned husband. It’s a masterclass in orchestral storytelling, culminating in an exhilarating coda.
Duration: 14'
Richard Wagner:
Prelude to Act I of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg)
Wagner’s radiant Prelude opens Die Meistersinger with stately grandeur and exuberant warmth, foreshadowing the opera’s celebration of artistry and community. Flowing melodies and triumphant brass evoke Nuremberg’s spirit, setting the scene for music’s joyful contest and comedic adventures. This orchestral introduction sparkles with lyricism and uplifting energy.
Duration: 9'
Meet our soloist, Jazmine Saunders!
Our Community Partnership with Artis-Naples and the Naples Philharmonic
We are grateful to Artis-Naples for the Community Partnership with the Naples Philharmonic. We are fortunate to have several musicians of the Naples Philharmonic be part of the Naples Community Orchestra. This is a partnership that we value and that enhances the Community. Thank you Artis-Naples!