South Florida Classical Review

Vivica Genaux

La Cenerentola is Rossini’s bubbly and delightful comedic version of the Cinderella story. The leading role of Angelina is a formidable test for a mezzo-soprano with extended coloratura range. Palm Beach Opera’s production, opening on Friday, features Vivica Genaux, an American artist who has been highly acclaimed for her performances of the Rossini mezzo repertoire and rarely heard Baroque operas in leading European opera houses. Young lyric tenor Rene Barbera plays Prince Ramiro and comic opera veterans Bruno Pratico, Bruno Taddia and Matthew Burns complete the cast. Music critic turned conductor Will Crutchfield is on the podium.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. 561-833-7888; pbopera.org.

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Michael Tilson Thomas and the New World Symphony have presented elongated programs in recent seasons devoted to Schubert and Beethoven. Utilizing the New World Center’s subsidiary balcony stages and multimedia technology, these programs encompass chamber and vocal music as well as major orchestral works. This weekend it is Mozart’s turn. “A Mozart Journey” features the familiar Symphony No. 40 in G minor as well as excerpts from the Salzburg master’s Clarinet Quintet, Oboe Quartet, Quintet for piano and winds and short works for piano and violin with orchestra. The piece de resistance will be Act 1 from Mozart’s unfinished opera Zaide.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the New World Center in Miami Beach.305-673-3331; nws.edu.

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