Opera Tampa facts for kids

Opera Tampa is an exciting opera company located in Tampa, Florida. It's the main opera group that performs at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. They bring beautiful opera stories to life with talented singers, musicians, and a big chorus!

How Opera Tampa Started

Opera Tampa began in 1996 with its very first show, Madama Butterfly. Since then, they have put on at least one big opera every year. These shows feature talented singers from all over the world. They also include the Opera Tampa Orchestra and a large chorus of 50 to 60 singers.

A very important person who helped start the company was Anton Coppola. He was the first artistic director from 1996 until he retired in 2012. One of the most exciting moments for the company under his leadership was when they performed his own opera, Sacco and Vanzetti, for the very first time on March 17, 2001.

Opera Tampa Today

After Anton Coppola retired, Daniel Lipton became the new artistic director. He was born in Paris in 1941. For his first season with Opera Tampa, the company started the "Florida Opera Festival." This was a month-long series of opera shows and related concerts. Famous singers like Katherine Jenkins also performed. The festival started with A Masked Ball and ended with La Bohème. These were the company's main opera shows for 2013.

Opera Tampa is managed by its general director, Judith Lisi. She is also the president of the "Straz" (David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts). The Straz Center has a large hall called Carol Morsani Hall, which seats 2,600 people. This is where the company performs its biggest shows. The current musical director is Robin Stamper, who studied at the famous Juilliard School.

Anton Coppola Award

In 2008, Opera Tampa announced a special award to honor its founder, Anton Coppola. It's called the Anton Coppola Excellence in the Arts Award. This award is given every year to an artist who has made a big difference in the world of opera and music. It especially recognizes those who have worked hard to keep the art of opera alive and strong. Anton Coppola himself received this award in 2012, the year he retired.

Award Winners