A House of Music

For 90 years and counting, the Florentine Opera has brought bold, exciting performances to Milwaukee.

The story’s a classic – struggling bohemians are living together in poverty, when a sick woman knocks on their door looking for help. The chance meeting sparks a heartbreaking romance, told through lush, timeless music. You may already know the tale of La Bohème, Puccini’s beloved opera, but when you see it on the Florentine Opera’s stage (April 19-21), there’s a twist. Instead of the streets of 1830s Paris, you’ll be transported to 1940s Bronzeville, where a fresh version of the love story plays out on the streets of Milwaukee. The Florentine is calling the bold re-imagination Bronzeville Bohème.

That touch of the unexpected is the Florentine’s signature, and this is just one example from the opera’s packed 2023-24 lineup. The company’s record of success putting on vibrant, world-class performances that speak directly to Milwaukee audiences dates back 90 years. “We want to delight our audience, whether that’s a grand, hoop-skirted production of a beloved classic like The Barber of Seville or something a little different, like our Covers electronic performance,” says Maggey Oplinger, the Florentine’s General Director and CEO. “Our shows are curated for Milwaukee.”

The Florentine traces its origins back to 1933, when John-David Anello, an MPS music teacher, gathered a small group of Italian immigrants to socialize around song. The group didn’t stay small for long – within about a decade they had 100 singers and 100 more on a waiting list to join. They went from performing in cramped elementary school auditoriums to theaters and parks around the city.

The Florentine Opera distinguished itself early in Milwaukee’s performing arts scene by showcasing emerging talent, both newbies and veterans, locals and global stars. “The Florentine has always been a communitydriven organization,” says Oplinger. “I think what’s really impactful – and what we still do today – is discovering and developing amazing talent both internationally and in Milwaukee.”

The Florentine’s Chorus Pipeline Project builds on that long legacy of cultivating local singers. Chosen singers will receive in-depth instruction at no charge, and once they complete the program, they land a paid chorus position with the company. Oplinger likens watching a show at the Florentine to catching Taylor Swift singing at a coffee shop pre-superstardom. The company has a knack for finding talent.

The Florentine has strong roots, no doubt – it’s the sixth-oldest opera company in the nation, and as Oplinger says, they know how to put on a grand, dramatic production like no other, but are always looking for the innovative twist. Whether that’s commissioning electronic covers of operatic hits, producing a passionate tango opera, or transporting Puccini’s bohemians to Humboldt Boulevard, the company continues to bring the unexpected to its stage.

“We’ve been here 90 years, and we’re incredibly proud of that amazing history,” Oplinger says. “But really, the Florentine is just getting started.” ◆

“We're a vibrant performing arts group in our prime. The Florentine Opera celebrates 90 years and shows no signs of slowing down – our performances continue to delight and excite with an unexpected touch!” MAGGEY OPLINGER

The Florentine Opera 205 W. Highland Ave., Suite 201 414-291-5700 florentineopera.org