RSVP today for this upcoming luncheon meeting hosted by the Press Club of Southwest Florida at Opera Naples. Learn why Opera Naples isn’t just an opera company; it’s an artistic powerhouse and a vital pillar of Southwest Florida’s cultural life, dedicated to enriching the community through world-class performances and extensive outreach.
DATE: Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Registration opens at 11:30, the program begins at noon, and the event ends at 1:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Wang Opera Center, Opera Naples, 2408 Linwood Ave. (north of Tamiami Trail East, south of Davis Blvd.)
RSVP: Purchase your ticket ($50 for members, $60 for guests, $20 for full-time students) via Eventbrite by clicking here. If you can’t use electronic purchasing and must pay at the door, send an email to RSVP@pressclubswfl.org to reserve your seat. Use that email address to let us know if you have special dietary needs.
World-Class Productions & Global Reach
At the Press Club luncheon, you will hear from leaders of Opera Naples who will help you understand the experience of the magic of grand opera with high-quality productions of beloved classics like La bohème, Carmen, and Madama Butterfly, featuring prominent international, national, and regional performers. By attracting global talent and collaborating with partners like the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation, Opera Naples puts Naples firmly on the global opera map.
Nurturing Talent & Transforming Lives
Beyond the main stage, Opera Naples fosters a love for the arts through impactful education and outreach initiatives:
- Youth Programs:Over 4,000 children are introduced to opera each year through various programs, including in-school performances and the Summer Youth Program. The Student Apprentice and Opera Naples Youth Company initiatives provide hundreds of local students (ages 7-21) with individualized training and performance opportunities.
- Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition:This prestigious competition honors Pavarotti’s legacy by discovering and nurturing exceptional young opera singers from around the world, awarding winners professional performance contracts and launching the next generation of operatic stars.
- Community Engagement:Through programs like “Sing for Smiles” at senior facilities and school tours of children’s operas, the transformative power of live opera is shared with diverse audiences of all backgrounds.
A Growing Legacy
Since its founding in 2006, Opera Naples has grown significantly, marking its twentieth anniversary in 2026 with expanded artistic ambition and deeper community engagement. Supported by a generous community and government agencies, the company continues to bring grand opera productions and meaningful artistic experiences to all.
Speakers:
Melanie Kalnins
Melanie Kalnins is a seasoned arts administrator with over two decades of experience at premier arts organizations. While she began her professional career in the advertising sales office of CBS Television Networks in Chicago, she quickly determined that her true passion was a career in the arts. For 20 years, she served the legendary Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association in a variety of marketing roles including Director of Marketing and Business Analysis. During her tenure with the CSOA, she increased revenues by $5 million through creative marketing promotions and a sophisticated dynamic pricing strategy. Locally, Melanie served at Artis—Naples as Vice President of Marketing and Patron Engagement where she quickly learned to understand the Southwest Florida market and media landscape. Melanie is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she majored in Communications Studies with a minor in Integrated Arts. An accomplished vocalist and pianist, she also has a background in performing in community and professional musical theater productions as well as singing in Chicago rock bands.
Livio Ferrari
Livio Ferrari is a co-founder of Opera Naples and the owner of Ferrari Fitness Center. He has been instrumental in the development of the Theater in the Garden. His vision for the venue is to create a space that honors the legacy of Luciano Pavarotti and serves as a multi-purpose arts facility for the Naples area. Ferrari’s commitment to the arts and his role on the Opera Naples Board also highlight his dedication to preserving and promoting the legacy of the legendary tenor.