‘Spanish Nights’ and new directions in store for Opera Tampa

It’s a time of transition for Opera Tampa, which has been in residence at the David A. Straz Center since the opera company’s inception in 1996.

For the first time in its 25-year history, Opera Tampa will partner with The Florida Orchestra for its fully staged Morsani Hall performances, which begin in February with The Tales of Hoffman. In previous seasons, the singers have worked with a “pickup” orchestra, pulled together using musicians from across the bay area (including, of course, many who play with The Florida Orchestra).

Tampa’s professional opera company hasn’t performed indoors since 2019 – the pandemic arrived just as the spring 2020 season was to start, sending everyone scurrying.

Tonight, a cross-section of the company will perform outdoors, on the Riverwalk Stage. The program is called Spanish Nights, in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“It’s a collection – a cornucopia – of different Spanish music,” explains artistic and managing director Robin Stamper. “We have singers, we have flamenco dancers, there’s a lot of light, fun stuff and beautiful selection as well.”

The 60-minute program ranges from operatic arias to popular numbers, from different composers spanning different eras.

Stamper himself will provide the piano accompaniment, paired with a percussionist.

It’s the penultimate performance in the Riverwalk Stage series (the Halloween entry is still to come). Like all who make art under the Straz umbrella, Stamper was forced to improvise when working indoors was no longer an option.

Working the outdoor stage, he says, “afforded us the opportunity to be creative in new ways. You know us creative people, we like a challenge.”

Performing on a stage next to the Hillsborough River, he adds, presents “a number of variables out of one’s control. Like the weather. Like me as the pianist trying to keep my pages from blowing away. Or the extracurricular noises, like the boats.

“And the acoustics are different. So of course we prefer the indoor experience. But it’s been a fun and interesting challenge.”

The Riverwalk Series has been so popular, in fact, Stamper predicts there’ll be more outdoor concerts in the company’s future, in addition to the mainstage operas.

“The good news is we often have passers-by who’ve become curious, and become engaged. Just from walking by on the river. So that’s been the good part.”

Opera Tampa will also be a part of the Straz Center’s Oct. 16 celebration on the Riverwalk, from 4 to 7 p.m. The free “Straz is Back Block Party” will include entertainment on two stages, food trucks and a makers’ market.

The center’s Broadway series resumes with a touring production of the musical Tootsie, opening Oct. 26 in Morsani Hall.

The Straz Center currently requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination pr evidence of a recent negative test for indoor admission, and masks must be worn.

Information and tickets for Opera Tampa’s “Spanish Nights” here.