Inspiration for Diva Witches

by Artistic Director

Deborah Berioli

 

"As a child, I couldn’t wait for Halloween.  It was my number one favorite holiday.  The air of mystery, thoughts of fancy – fantasy, sorcery – the notion that one just might possess secret powers – witches, goblins, ghosts – the spirit world – all hallow’s eve – all these things seemed more possible.  Dressing up, running around the neighborhood with the thrill of seeming unrecognizable on a cool, crisp northern New Jersey night – the sky black, the moon full, the smell of dead leaves and rotting apples and of wood burning stoves – out there alone, the wind whipping the leaves around and the sounds of dogs barking, bats flying and if lucky, an owl hooting – that night I could be anyone or anything I desired – And so, we bring you “Diva Witches”.  Divas, most certainly.  Witches??  You decide……………."

 

Featured Guest Artist

Melissa Vitrella

Professional Biography

 

Melissa Vitrella is currently a young artist in residence with Opera Naples in Southwest Florida, where she most recently sang the role of Third Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute.

Ms. Vitrella made her professional debut at Opera Naples in the role of Flora in Verdi's La Traviata. The Naples daily news called her a "surprise power hitter: an attention-getting mezzo voice and good stage presence."

The young mezzo-soprano was an Affiliate Artist at Orlando Opera, where she performed the roles of the Mistress of the Novices in Puccini's Suor Angelica, and Isabelle in Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Ms. Vitrella also worked as the Assistant Director of Orlando Opera's "Pirates!" Summer Opera Camp.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Stetson University, where she was the 2003 Concerto Competition Winner. While there, she performed the roles of Hansel in Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel, Sesto in Mozart's La Clemenza di Tito, and Dido in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. She attended graduate school with a voice teaching assistantship at Florida State University, where she sang the roles of Florence Pike in Britten's Albert Herring, Dinah in Bernstein's Trouble in Tahiti, and Cornelia in Handel's Giulio Cesare in Egitto.

Melissa is moving to Naples, Florida this fall to continue her work with Opera Naples. She is currently a cantor at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Orlando.
 

Jonathan Spivey

Piano

Jonathan Spivey, resident pianist of the Sarasota Orchestra, holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. A national finalist in the Music Teachers' National Association Auditions, his concert appearances include Long Island; Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall; Melbourne (Florida); Trondheim, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden (Solliden and Drottningholm Theater); and Seoul, Korea.

Dr. Spivey has been the pianist of the Sarasota Piano Quartet (formerly the New Artists Piano Quartet) of the Sarasota Orchestra since 1991, and is a founding member of the Arioso Trio in Tampa. He has collaborated with several members of the Sarasota Music Festival -- including Carol Wincenc, Charles Neidich, Joseph Silverstein, Allan Vogel, James Buswell, and Ani Kavafian -- and he has been on the associate piano faculty since 1992. An acclaimed recording of Jonathan Spivey with the Amici Chamber Players was released in 2005 by Albany Records.

Dr. Spivey spent his childhood in Sweden, in the province of Dalarna.  He presently serves as Director of Music Ministries at Bee Ridge Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, where he lives with wife, Yoko, and two children, Sebastian and Olympia, and an easily-frightened dog, Star.

 

Featured Guest Artist

Maryla Madura, Mezzo-soprano

 

Maryla Madura was born in Warsaw, Poland  and is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology with degrees from Nova Southeastern University, Barry University and Harvard University.  Her accomplishments encompass a wide range from publications to athletic achievements.   Currently residing in Bradenton, Florida, Maryla is a voice student of Franklyn Skidmore in Sarasota and has found many enriching opportunities to share her beautiful voice and love of singing within the community.  Her alluring and unique artistry is at once captivating.  Visit her website at www.MarylaMadura.com and enjoy sound clips, photos and more!