Palm Beach Opera presented the first Lunch & Learn of the company’s 2023 Season at the National Croquet Center on Jan. 12, offering guests an inside look into “Madama Butterfly.”
Featuring a delicious lunch alongside a curated musical program, Lunch & Learn takes place one week before each mainstage performance and highlights the upcoming opera production. The first Lunch & Learn event of the year focused on “Madama Butterfly,” PBO’s opening opera production at the Kravis Center.
“Through our curated Lunch & Learn programming, we are able to provide patrons with rich insight into our operas, meaningful performances from our resident artists, and a deeper understanding of the music,” said Walker. “This unique event offers audiences a chance to familiarize themselves with the opera and makes for an even more memorable experience at the theater.”
Palm Beach Opera’s Lunch & Learn began with a warm welcome by General & Artistic Director David Walker followed by thoughtful presentations and intimate performances led by PBO staff and artists. Insights into the opera were provided by Director of Artistic Administration James Barbato and “Madama Butterfly” excerpts were performed by Bailey Apprentice Artists Maria Vasilevskaya and Devin Eatmon, Benenson Young Artists Sejin Park and Merdiain Prall, and PBO principal coach and pianist Ksenia Leletkina. The artists received a standing ovation for their performances.
Notably, the 2023 Season also marks the company’s first full post-pandemic season. A testament to community support and excitement, Palm Beach Opera’s 2023 Season sales have continued to rise and are on track to exceed forecasted revenue goals.
“The 2023 Season is our first full post-pandemic season since 2019, and we are thrilled to see sales not only match pre-pandemic statistics but exceed them,” said Walker. “With sales continuing to rise and with many brand-new households joining us this year, we are on track for a record-breaking season.”
William Brown, Louise Cohen, Robert and Julie Desnick, David and Joan Genser, Arlette Gordon, Judy and Jerry Kaufman, Cathy Demain Mann, Ellis Jay Parker, Donna K. and John Raggio, David Valkema, PBO’s Director of Artistic Operations James Barbato, and PBO’s General & Artistic Director David Walker were all in attendance among others.
PBO’s 2023 Season includes performances of “Madama Butterfly” on Jan. 20-22, “Così fan tutte” on Feb. 24-26 and “Falstaff” on March 24-26 at the Kravis Center. Learn more at pbopera.org.