Opera Unleashed: High Notes and High Drama

Opera Unleashed: High Notes & High Drama – Experience the Passion, FREE!

Ever wondered what makes opera so powerful? Or thought it might be “not for you”? This summer, the Gateway Festival Orchestra is blowing the roof off preconceived notions with “Opera Unleashed: High Notes & High Drama” – a concert designed to thrill, move, and inspire everyone.

At GFO, we believe the magic of music should be free and accessible to all. Our concerts are completely free, family-friendly, and open to everyone. Step into a world of soaring voices, passionate stories, and unforgettable melodies. Come as you are, bring your friends and family, and let the music ignite your imagination!

Main Event Spotlight: “Opera Unleashed: High Notes & High Drama”

Sunday, July 19, 2026 | 4:00 PM | 560 Music Center (Indoor Experience)

Prepare for an afternoon where legendary tales leap to life through the sheer power of the human voice! Under the expert guidance of Associate Conductor Dr. Leon Burke III, we’ve hand-picked a program that showcases opera’s most dazzling moments – from riotous comedy to heartbreaking despair, and everything in between.

We are incredibly proud to feature four phenomenal soloists, whose voices grace stages around the world, right here in St. Louis:

• Nini Wang, soprano
• Nadiana Ortiz, mezzo-soprano
• Justino Gordon-Le Chevalié, tenor
• Antonio Watts, baritone

Together with the GFO, they will transform the 560 Music Center into an arena of vocal virtuosity and pure theatrical electricity!

The Program: Your All-Access Pass to Opera’s Greatest Hits & Heart-Stopping Moments!

This isn’t your stuffy, quiet opera performance. This is a journey through the most recognizable tunes and rawest emotions that make opera truly “unleashed.” You’ll be amazed how many of these melodies you already know!

Part I: Passion & Punchlines

• Overture to The Barber of Seville (Gioachino Rossini)
  • Picture this: A bustling Spanish street, secret love notes, and hilarious disguises! Rossini’s iconic overture instantly sets the scene for one of opera’s most beloved comedies. Get ready for a whirlwind of mischief!
• “Una voce poco fa” from The Barber of Seville (Gioachino Rossini)
  • Meet Rosina: Sweet on the surface, but a clever strategist underneath! Soprano Nini Wang brings to life this sparkling aria, where Rosina declares her cleverness and determination to get what – or who – she wants. It’s a masterclass in vocal agility and a peek into a quick-witted heroine’s mind.
• Papageno’s Moment of Despair from The Magic Flute (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
  • The Story: Our bird-catching friend, Papageno, thinks he’s lost his true love forever. Baritone Antonio Watts masterfully conveys this surprisingly poignant and comedic “suicide aria” – a dramatic moment of loneliness so profound, it’s almost funny. Will he find his happily ever after?
• “Là ci darem la mano” from Don Giovanni (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
  • The Seduction: Bass-baritone Antonio Watts and soprano Nini Wang join forces for one of opera’s most famous duets. Listen as the notorious Don Giovanni tries to charm the innocent Zerlina. Will she resist his advances, or will she be swept away?
• “Vesti la giubba” from Pagliacci (Ruggero Leoncavallo)
  • The Crying Clown: Perhaps the most famous tenor aria of all time! Tenor Justino Gordon-Le Chevalié delivers the heart-wrenching anguish of Canio, a clown forced to perform even as his world crumbles. Prepare for goosebumps – this is pure, unadulterated human emotion.
• “Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix” from Samson and Delilah (Camille Saint-Saëns)
  • Delilah’s Seduction: Mezzo-soprano Nadiana Ortiz performs Delilah’s intoxicating appeal, where she tempts Samson to reveal the secret of his strength. This aria is a masterclass in sensual beauty and cunning persuasion.
• “Je veux vivre” from Roméo et Juliette (Charles Gounod)
  • Youthful Joy: Before tragedy strikes, Juliet sings of her desire to live and revel in the joy of youth and first love. Soprano Nini Wang expresses this breathtaking exuberance, painting a picture of a girl full of life and hope.
• “Kuda, kuda” (Lensky’s Aria) from Eugene Onegin (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
  • A Farewell to Life: Tenor Justino Gordon-Le Chevalié returns for this poignant aria, as the young poet Lensky reflects on his life and impending duel. It’s a moment of profound introspection and a powerful premonition of fate.

INTERMISSION

Part II: Grandeur & Glamour

• Overture to Die Fledermaus (Johann Strauss II)
  • The Ultimate Party: Get ready to waltz! This overture from Strauss’s famous operetta is pure Viennese sparkle – Champagne, masked balls, and mistaken identities. You might just want to dance in your seat!
• “Belle nuit, ô nuit d’amour” (Barcarolle) from The Tales of Hoffmann (Jacques Offenbach)
  • Dreamy Duet: Soprano Nini Wang and mezzo-soprano Nadiana Ortiz create a moment of sheer beauty with this iconic “Barcarolle.” Picture gliding down a Venetian canal under a moonlit sky – it’s hauntingly beautiful and utterly romantic.
• “Try to Remember” from The Fantasticks (Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones, arr. David Gill)
  • A Beloved Classic: While not strictly opera, this timeless ballad from the world’s longest-running musical perfectly captures the emotional depth and storytelling power we celebrate. Baritone Antonio Watts reminds us of the power of memory and the sweetness of nostalgia – a true “high note” of feeling.
• “Ride of the Valkyries” from Die Walküre (Richard Wagner)
  • EPIC! You know this one! The ultimate power anthem, the “Ride of the Valkyries” needs no introduction. Experience the raw, thunderous force of Wagner’s genius as the orchestra brings this monumental piece to life. It’s a jaw-dropping finale that will leave you breathless!

❄️ The Indoor Experience: Beat the Heat in Style!

Escape the summer humidity and settle into the cool comfort of the 560 Music Center (560 Trinity Ave, University City, 631130). Enjoy the full impact of these world-class voices and the GFO in a relaxed, climate-controlled setting. No battling the elements, just pure musical bliss!

Dive Deeper: “Notes to Munch On” 🗣️ (Before the Baton Drops!)

Ever wonder why the clown has to sing when his heart is breaking? Or the scandalous backstories of these operatic characters? Join us 20 minutes before the concert for “Notes to Munch On.” This fun, informal chat will dish out fascinating stories, hidden details, and historical gossip behind the composers and the pieces. It’s the perfect “appetizer” to help you savor every dramatic moment!

Why the Gateway Festival Orchestra?

At GFO, we’re passionate about making orchestral and vocal music vibrant and accessible for our St. Louis community. We break down barriers, offering free concerts that showcase incredible talent and diverse programming. “Opera Unleashed” is our invitation to you to discover the electrifying energy and profound beauty of opera – a genre that is anything but old-fashioned.

Don’t Miss This!

Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the 560 Music Center. Bring your friends, bring your family, and prepare to be swept away by “Opera Unleashed: High Notes & High Drama.” This is your chance to experience the magic of opera, absolutely free, right here in St. Louis! We can’t wait to share this unforgettable afternoon with you.