Opera for Earth's Ancestral Voyage Cast
Simon Lee
Laura Virella
Laura Virella
Simon Lee, a Korean-American spinto tenor is increasingly recognized on the international stage for his “heroic vocalism” and “profound affinity for the Italian Verismo tradition.” With an impressive career that bridges the major musical capitals of Asia, Europe, and the United States, Mr. Lee has become a sought-after interpreter of the
Simon Lee, a Korean-American spinto tenor is increasingly recognized on the international stage for his “heroic vocalism” and “profound affinity for the Italian Verismo tradition.” With an impressive career that bridges the major musical capitals of Asia, Europe, and the United States, Mr. Lee has become a sought-after interpreter of the most challenging spinto tenor roles in the Verdi and Puccini canons.
Credits include Carnegie Hall, da Corneto Opera, St. Petersburg Opera, Bayreuth, Opera Classica, Noctes Aquae Iasae Festival in Croatia, Teatro Lirico D’Europa, Singapore Lyric Opera, Utah Festival Opera, and Opera North Carolina, and OperaMaya International Summer Opera Program in Mexico.
Laura Virella
Laura Virella
Laura Virella
Laura Virella has performed a long list of standard operatic repertoire, including her explosive Carmen, which has captivated audiences from Catalunya to Alberta, she has been a continuous presence in modern and crossover opera. In 2022, she covered the title role in the world premiere of Grammy Award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank
Laura Virella has performed a long list of standard operatic repertoire, including her explosive Carmen, which has captivated audiences from Catalunya to Alberta, she has been a continuous presence in modern and crossover opera. In 2022, she covered the title role in the world premiere of Grammy Award-winning composer Gabriela Lena Frank and Pulitzer Prize librettist Nilo Cruz's El último sueño de Frida y Diego at San Diego Opera; she's embodied Robert Xavier Rodríguez's Frida with Detroit Opera, El Paso Opera and Long Beach Opera; and was nominated as Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical in the Helen Hayes Awards for her debut as Mari Pepa in the zarzuela Revoltosa with GALA Hispanic Theatre -- a nomination of a classical genre and a Spanish-language show in an Anglo and musical-theatre-centered forum.
Jodi Karem
Laura Virella
Elona Krasavtseva
Jodi Karem's performances span from the United States to Europe and the Middle East. She has premiered numerous operas, including the role of Lady Mabel with the Center for Contemporary Opera's production of The Secret Agent in New York City, the European debut with the Armel Festival in Hungary as well as in Avignon, France at Opera Gr
Jodi Karem's performances span from the United States to Europe and the Middle East. She has premiered numerous operas, including the role of Lady Mabel with the Center for Contemporary Opera's production of The Secret Agent in New York City, the European debut with the Armel Festival in Hungary as well as in Avignon, France at Opera Grand Avignon. The release of The Secret Agent CD features Ms. Karem as part of the debut cast. Ms. Karem has performed with Springfield Regional Opera, Long Leaf Opera, Union Avenue Opera, Inter Cities Opera, Florentine Opera’s Italian Festival, Skylight Opera, Natchez Opera Festival, Center for Contemporary Opera, Armel Opera Festival and Opera Grand Avignon. In a performance of Santuzza, Ms. Karem’s performance was described as "one of the finest performances I have witnessed, not just stylistically, but in every other way - acting, emotion, facial expression, body movement." (operaOnline.us)
Elona Krasavtseva
Elona Krasavtseva
Elona Krasavtseva
Elona Krasavtseva is a classical crossover soprano, storyteller, actress and a songwriter. She performs musical theater, classical and popular songs in English, Ukrainian, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Yiddish languages. She resides near beautiful Saint-Petersburg, Florida and runs a Music Club of Florida with monthly events for
Elona Krasavtseva is a classical crossover soprano, storyteller, actress and a songwriter. She performs musical theater, classical and popular songs in English, Ukrainian, Polish, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and Yiddish languages. She resides near beautiful Saint-Petersburg, Florida and runs a Music Club of Florida with monthly events for music lovers from around the world.
Elona grew up in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. She studied at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She continued her studies and graduated from Moscow State University in Russia. She holds a master’s degree from California State University, East Bay. Elona began her music career in 2005, performing in major concert halls and made frequent appearances on broadcast television and radio shows throughout in Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia, and then after her relocation to Florida, she began performing in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
Guillermo Lopez
Elona Krasavtseva
Nicholas Simpson
A spinto tenor from Sonora, Mexico, Guillermo López has been hailed as one of the promising voices in Mexico and the United States. Beginning his musical journey as a pianist before college, Mr. López decided to pursue a professional singing career after the quality of his voice was discovered. He has participated as a soloist in the Inte
A spinto tenor from Sonora, Mexico, Guillermo López has been hailed as one of the promising voices in Mexico and the United States. Beginning his musical journey as a pianist before college, Mr. López decided to pursue a professional singing career after the quality of his voice was discovered. He has participated as a soloist in the International Festival Alfonso Ortiz Tirado in Álamos, Mexico. Mr. López performed in the world premiere of the opera, Ilegal Alien, by the Mexican composer Alfonso Molina. He also participated in the world premiere of the opera El pajecillo de Felipe V by the Mexican composer Antonio de María y Campos in Sonora, México. He worked with the Hermosillo Opera company on the production of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale as Ernesto.
Mr. Lpez has performed the role of Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata as a soloist in Beethoven’s Mass in C major and was selected as a soloist for the Anton Coppola’s 100 year gala, with the Spanish Lyric Theater, Saint Petes Opera and with Opera Tampa.
Nicholas Simpson
Elona Krasavtseva
Nicholas Simpson
Nicholas Simpson, Tenor, is an award-winning artist whose singing has taken him to all seven continents in repertoire ranging from Broadway to grand opera. Praised by Opera News for a performance that “immediately seized attention with his full-bodied, brightly projected voice,” he has also been described by Corriere di Rimini as poss
Nicholas Simpson, Tenor, is an award-winning artist whose singing has taken him to all seven continents in repertoire ranging from Broadway to grand opera. Praised by Opera News for a performance that “immediately seized attention with his full-bodied, brightly projected voice,” he has also been described by Corriere di Rimini as possessing “a voice that is flexible, but powerful,” with “technical and expressive capability.” The New York Times praised his “bright sound and expansive lyricism,” while OperaWire called him “a fantastic young tenor at his best, combining compelling acting with technical virtuosity.”
Mr. Simpson made his Lincoln Center debut with Teatro Nuovo in 2021 as returned as Paolo Erisso in Maometto II during the 2022–23 season. He made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2022 with the New England Symphonic Ensemble, performing Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music and Mozart’s Regina coeli and Missa brevis. In 2025, he returned to Carnegie Hall for the world premiere of Loretta Notareschi’s Climate Mass and Elaine Hagenberg’s Illuminare. Recent operatic highlights include Almaviva in The Barber of Seville with Opéra Louisiane and Druid City Opera; Cavaradossi in Tosca with Teatro Lirico D’Europa and Spotlight on Opera at Tulsa Opera; Samson in Samson et Dalila in New York City; and the title role in Lohengrin in a vocal showcase with the Metropolitan Opera Guild and Wagner Society of New York. Other concert engagements include singing with the Arkansas Symphony in 2026. Broadway World reported that “Tenor Nicholas Simpson took center stage in “Olim lacus colueram,” navigating the notoriously high vocal writing with impressive precision. His performance captured the dramatic and slightly theatrical spirit of the piece while maintaining strong vocal control, drawing the audience into the vivid storytelling of the moment.”
In 2015, Mr. Simpson became the first tenor since 1966 to perform the title role in the Dresden version of Wagner’s Tannhäuser in New York City with Apotheosis Opera. Voce di Meche praised his “full-throated heroism, carrying the role from beginning to end without strain.” He has also earned acclaim for his portrayal of Paul in Korngold’s Die Tote Stadt, with Cleveland Classical praising him as “splendid,” negotiating its “punishingly high and demanding vocal line with strength and agility.” Other major performances include Don José in Carmen, Bacchus in Ariadne auf Naxos, Pinkerton in Madama Butterfly, King Charles II in Carlisle Floyd’s Prince of Players, and the Kronprinz in Kevin Puts’ Silent Night.
Beyond opera, Mr. Simpson has appeared as a soloist in Messiah in New York, Kansas City, and Washington, D.C., and has performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with Performance Santa Fe, the Altoona Symphony, the New Amsterdam Symphony, the Hershey Symphony, and Chorus Austin. He has also appeared at 54 Below and as a featured artist on international tours throughout Italy, France, Spain, Jordan, Egypt, India, Australia, and New Zealand.
A dedicated educator, Mr. Simpson has served on the voice faculties of Southwestern University, Mediterranean Opera Studio, and Spotlight on Opera at Tulsa Opera, and is an artist-in-residence at the Barbara Ingram School for the Fine Arts. He has presented masterclasses at Brown University, Mount Saint Mary University, Southwestern University, and high schools throughout the United States. His students have been admitted to leading music programs including Boston Conservatory, Northwestern, Mannes, Carnegie Mellon, Eastman, and the Royal College of Music in London, and have appeared with organizations including Miami Music Festival, Brevard Music Institute, Washington National Opera Institute, Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theater, and Teatro Nuovo.
Mr. Simpson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Missouri and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music.
Alla Milchtein
Alla Milchtein
Alla Milchtein
Born in Russia and raised in Mexico, Alla Milchtein discovered her love for the collaborative arts at an early age. Ms. Milchtein has enjoyed an international career as a collaborative pianist to emerging stars in the music world and maintains an active performing career with vocal and instrumental partners, as well as chamber ensembles.
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Born in Russia and raised in Mexico, Alla Milchtein discovered her love for the collaborative arts at an early age. Ms. Milchtein has enjoyed an international career as a collaborative pianist to emerging stars in the music world and maintains an active performing career with vocal and instrumental partners, as well as chamber ensembles.
Ms. Milchtein is a staff pianist at the Mannes College The New School for Music, one of the country’s preeminent classical conservatories, where she works for the College and Prep divisions. Ms. Milchtein has worked at the Rotterdam Conservatory (The Netherlands), the Rudolf Steiner College (The Netherlands), Scuola di Musica di Fiesole (Italy), and the Jalisco State Choir (Mexico).
She has performed in The Cervantino International Music Festival in Guanajuato (Mexico), Festival de Mazatlán (Mexico), “Kamermuziek Festival tussen Maas & Waal” (The Netherlands), “Het Rusische Muziek” (The Netherlands), Beverly Hills Chamber Music Festival (United States), Lucca Music Festival 2008 (Italy), Aspen Music Festival (United States), and the Glimmerglass Festival (United States).
USF Guitar ensemble
USF's Guitar Ensemble will join us, lead by Maestro Jonathan Godfrey playing the most popular and famous selections in the Classical guitar repertoire.
Skirts & Ties
Come hear Skirts & Ties for your favorite barbershop quartet selections.
Nizana / dance craft
The jam along gang
Playing some of your most favorite selections is the beloved JamALONG Gang, Safety Harbor's popular Ukulele group.
Amhran: Irish songs across the miles
Pinellas County's own voice, Amhran, will charm you with her beautiful and lush sound.
