Beethoven’s Ninth Featuring World-Class Opera Stars
Join Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO) and Todd Craven Music Director and Conductor for the Season Finale: “Ode to Joy” – April 12 at 7 p.m. at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville. However “Ode to Joy” is more than music—it is a resounding anthem of brotherhood, hope and the unbreakable bond of humanity. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony calls us together in a powerful celebration of unity, and now, this timeless masterpiece comes to life in an unforgettable performance at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center!
The Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra (NFSO), the NFSO Chorale and the Niceville High School Chorus join forces to present this monumental work, featuring internationally renowned opera soloists:
Katherine Henry, soprano – A Metropolitan Opera rising star, American soprano Kathryn Henry is acclaimed for her “clean coloratura and silvery voice.” A native of Sheboygan, Wis., she earned her Master of Music from The Juilliard School and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Henry has performed notable roles such as Lucy Harker in the world premiere of The Lord of Cries at The Santa Fe Opera, the title role in Janáček’s Jenůfa at Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Arminda in Mozart’s La finta giardiniera at Juilliard. She was a finalist in the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions.
Cierra Byrd, mezzo-soprano – A powerhouse artist fresh from her acclaimed performances at the Met and Houston Grand Opera, American mezzo-soprano Cierra Byrd is a recent graduate of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera. In the 2024/25 season, she joined Chicago Opera Theater for the world premiere of She Who Dared and Opera Theater of St. Louis for their New Works Collective. She has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Boston Lyric Opera, including roles in Fire Shut Up in My Bones, Madama Butterfly, Omar and Dialogues des Carmélites. A winner of the Duncan Williams Voice Competition, she holds degrees from Ohio State University and Peabody Conservatory.
Christopher Bozeka, tenor – A dynamic and expressive performer, lighting up opera houses across the country, Tenor Christopher Bozeka is gaining recognition for his “expressively captivating” performances and “beautiful, piercing tone” (San Francisco Chronicle). Recent highlights include Alfredo Germont (La traviata, Opera Las Vegas), Rodrigo (Otello, Central City Opera), and soloist appearances with the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus. He has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Sarasota Opera, and Opera Southwest, covering roles in Nabucco, Le comte Ory, The Magic Flute, and Salome. A Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions winner, he holds a master’s degree from University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music.
William Guanbo Su, bass-baritone – A commanding presence on the world stage and a Grand Finals Winner of the Met Opera National Council Auditions, Chinese bass William Guanbo Su is acclaimed for his “musical taste” and “solid voice” (The New York Times). While a 2019 Grand Finals Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, he has performed with Houston Grand Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and Boston Lyric Opera, portraying roles such as Zuniga in Carmen, Olin Blitch in Susannah and Colline in La bohème. Su holds degrees from The Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. In the 2024 season, he is set to debut as Masetto in Don Giovanni with The Santa Fe Opera.
Tickets: Call 850.729.6000 or visit MattieKellyArtsCenter.org.
April 12, 2025 | 7 p.m. | Mattie Kelly Arts Center | Tickets: Adults $35 | Youth $16. Military discount available.
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