Opera Naples Celebrates Breakthrough 2025/26 Season With $1 Million Gift, International Exposure And Record Sponsorship
May 27, 2026
Highlights include $1 million gift strengthening the Opera Naples endowment, launch of the Encore Society planned giving program, expansion of the Festival Under the Stars in its sixth year, international exposure from the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition, 84% increase in sponsorship support and the addition of two distinguished members to the Board of Trustees
Opera Naples celebrates a season of significant growth and achievement as it concludes its 2025/26 fiscal year and prepares to announce its upcoming season. Under the leadership of Executive Director Melanie Kalnins, Artistic and Music Director Ramón Tebar and Board of Directors Co-Chairs Lawrence Ost and Bronwen Adams, the organization advanced its artistic programming, expanded its audience reach and strengthened its financial foundation.
Opera Naples was honored to announce at its annual benefit gala on December 11, 2025 at Royal Poinciana Golf Club that an anonymous benefactor pledged $1 million in support of its mission. The majority of these funds were directed toward growing the Opera Naples endowment, ensuring long-term financial stability for the organization. Furthermore, Opera Naples introduced the Encore Society, a new planned giving program offering special benefits to individuals who include Opera Naples in their estate plans.
The sixth annual Festival Under the Stars continued its growth, expanding to a five-week series of performances from February 13 through March 15, 2026. The festival featured a dynamic range of concerts and opera performances at the Wang Opera Center and Baker Park, with six sold-out performances. The season also featured the second Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Opera Naples International Voice Competition, led by Maestro Ramón Tebar and Luciano Pavarotti Foundation President Nicoletta Mantovani. The competition attracted 430 applicants from 19 countries, with 19 finalists competing over three days from March 13 to March 15, 2026. Opera Naples and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation were pleased to partner with the Florida Gulf Coast University Bower School for Music & the Arts which co-hosted the competition. Five winners were awarded contracts of at least $10,000: Victor Cardamone, tenor; Byung Jun Ko, baritone; Kara Morgan, mezzo-soprano; Luke Norvell, tenor; and Grace Ryan, mezzo-soprano.
Sponsorship revenue continued its strong upward trajectory, increasing by 84% over the previous season. Opera Naples is deeply grateful for generous support of both individuals and corporate sponsors, whose contributions made the Festival Under the Stars possible. Lead sponsorship support was provided by Larry & Louise Ost, Jan Burrus, Sally Gleason, Melody Sawyer Richardson, Cindy Stegemann, John & Nicoletta Pepe, Susan Gibbons, Elizabeth Harrington, Bruce & Lois Selfon, Kathleen Field Orr & Roy Beck, Ice Miller, PNC Private Bank and the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation. Additional sponsorship and partnership support was provided by Steve & Kathy Nichols, Ronald C. Smith, Freeman’s, Bentley Naples, Ciccarelli Advisory Services, FineMark Bank & Trust, Florida Trust Wealth Management, Peacock + Lewis, Stock Development, Gulfshore Life, The Naples Press, Naples Daily News, Driftwood Garden Center, the Aielli Group, Winfield Coffee, the City of Naples, The House of Turk & Turk, Gulfshore Ballet, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Naples, Marco Island, Everglades Convention and Visitors Bureau, Florida’s Paradise Coast and the Florida Theatrical Association.
Opera Naples welcomed Edward J. Ludwig and Melody Sawyer Richardson to its Board of Trustees this season. Ludwig is a highly respected leader in the healthcare and medical technology sectors, who is currently serving as Lead Independent Director of Boston Scientific and previously served as Chairman and CEO of Becton, Dickinson and Company. With decades of executive leadership experience, including board service with organizations such as CVS Health Corporation and Aetna, Inc., he brings significant strategic and financial expertise as Opera Naples continues to expand its artistic and community impact. Richardson brings a distinguished career in law, finance and real estate: first as an attorney on Wall Street and then as General Counsel of a real estate developer in New Jersey. She earned a BA from University of Cincinnati, a Master’s from Ohio State University and an MBA and JD from Rutgers University. She has held leadership roles on numerous prominent arts and cultural boards, including serving as Board Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet and Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority. Additionally, effective July 1, 2026, Richardson will serve as Chair of the Opera Naples Board of Directors.
Opera Naples undertook several strategic initiatives to enhance the capabilities of the Wang Opera Center as a rental venue this season. The facility offers a versatile performance space and special event space with retractable 320-tiered seats. Opera Naples further invested in new sound and lighting equipment, including an 18’ x 40’ LED screen, increasing its ability to serve a wide range of clients. A new role, Production & Technical Director, was filled by Daniel Goodsitt, who is set to assume the position on July 1, 2026. Goodsitt brings extensive experience in event production and will support both Opera Naples’ internal productions and external rental partnerships.
Opera Naples concludes its 2025/26 season with a match campaign. All gifts of $150 or more made by June 30, 2026, will both count for member benefits and be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000, thanks to a generous contribution from Edward and Kathleen Ludwig. Friends of Opera Naples receive benefits such as invitations to special events, waived ticket exchange fees, advance performance notifications and donor recognition in Opera Naples publications and online.
Commenting on the 2025/26 season, Executive Director Melanie Kalnins said: “This season has been a remarkable testament to what our community can achieve together. From the continued growth of the festival and incredible international reach of the competition, to transformational philanthropic support and exciting investments in the Wang Opera Center, Opera Naples is building a strong future for opera in Southwest Florida. As we prepare to announce our next season, we invite our patrons and supporters to help us sustain this momentum by participating in our end-of-season campaign. Every gift plays a vital role in ensuring that Opera Naples continues to inspire, educate and enrich our community through the power of music and the performing arts.”
Donations may be made by calling 239-844-SING or visiting operanaples.org.
