Orlando, FL, January 27, 2025 — Central Florida Vocal Arts’ Opera del Sol brings its 2025–2026 season, Picture Perfect: Idealism on Stage, to a compelling close with a double bill of rarely performed, one-act operas. Under the deft hand of stage director, Eric Pinder, Wolf-Ferrari’s Il Segreto di Susanna (performed in English as Susanna’s Secret) paired with Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti for an evening that is both musically moving and intellectually engaging.
Presented in the intimate Goldman Theatre at Orlando Shakes on March 7 and 8, this season finale offers audiences a deeply human exploration of relationships how love is expressed, hidden, strained, and sustained. Though written decades apart and set in vastly different worlds, these two operas speak to one another through their shared examination of illusion versus reality, and the emotional truths that surface when appearances begin to crack.
A Comedy of Secrecy and Subtle Power
Susanna’s Secret is a sparkling chamber comedy that centers on marriage, independence, and the humor found in misunderstanding. Lighthearted on the surface, the opera unfolds with charm and quick wit, yet beneath its comedic exterior lies a thoughtful exploration of trust and autonomy within intimate relationships.
Wolf-Ferrari’s score enhances this playful tension with elegance and warmth, allowing moments of levity to coexist with emotional insight. The result is an opera that delights while quietly prompting reflection.
In striking contrast, Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti pulls back the curtain on the glossy ideal of 1950s suburban life to expose emotional distance, dissatisfaction, and isolation. Through sharp musical language and biting social commentary, Bernstein presents a marriage caught between outward success and inward emptiness. With its unmistakable blend of jazz, lyricism, and irony, Trouble in Tahiti delivers a powerful critique of the American Dream one that remains strikingly relevant today. The opera challenges audiences to consider how cultural expectations and idealized images of happiness can obscure genuine connection, leaving individuals emotionally adrift despite material comfort.
A Season Defined by Idealism and Reality
“It is our belief that the themes explored in these two operas—opera in general, really are timeless,” says Theresa Smith-Levin, Founder and Executive Director of Central Florida Vocal Arts. “The tension between idealism and reality has defined this season, and these operas bring it home beautifully. We are excited to once again provide a way for audiences to experience opera the way we do opera.”
This final production encapsulates the heart of Opera del Sol’s 2025–2026 season, offering a meaningful conclusion that is both artistically ambitious and emotionally resonant. By placing these two works side by side, the company highlights opera’s unique ability to hold a mirror to society reflecting both its beauty and its contradictions.
Cast and Creative Team
The production is directed by Eric Pinder and features a talented cast including Stephen Mumbert, Caitlin Mohr, Marilyn Sharp, AJ Morales, and Daniel Silva, whose performances bring depth, nuance, and vitality to these richly layered works
Event Details
What:
Susanna’s Secret & Trouble in Tahiti
Presented by Central Florida Vocal Arts’ Opera del Sol
When:
Saturday, March 7 at 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 8 at 3:00 PM
Where:
Goldman Theatre at Orlando Shakes
About Central Florida Vocal Arts and Opera del Sol
Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) and its sister company, Opera del Sol, are transforming the community through innovative arts education and inspiring professional performances. Rooted in the values of excellence, accessibility and innovation, CFVA is committed to reimagining opera and musical theatre for modern audiences as a catalyst for social good. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CFVA is proud to foster creative expression and build a more connected and compassionate Central Florida through the power of music.
Learn More: https://centralfloridavocalarts.org