Two comic operas

The Miami Music Festival includes a number of performances that are free or amazingly cheap, at a total cost of $2.06 with fees. The festival is an intensive training program for the next generation of classical musicians and is also known as the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival.

The festival includes the free Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series, free concerts on Sunday nights outdoors on Ocean Drive. You can see one of those performances at 6 p.m. every Sunday in July.

These are the performances happening in July 2023. These performances are a great deal, with most costing only $2.06 for general admission. The popular performances usually sell out fast, so don't delay.

July 8-9, 2023 “Le Nozze di Figaro”

This opera is one of Mozart's most popular works, featuring schemes, love and light-hearted comedy. It will be sung in Italian by the Miami Music Festival Opera Institute.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 8, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 9, at Temple Emanu-El and requires advance reservations. Cost per ticket totals $2.06. Temple Emanu-El is at 1701 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 

July 10, 2023 Chamber music concert

This program will be performed by student musicians who select their own program.

The event is at 8 p.m. Monday, July 20, at The Betsy Hotel and requires advance registration. Cost per ticket totals $2.06. The Betsy is at 1440 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

July 13, 2023 Conductor's Symphony Concert

This concert will be performed by student conductors. Benefit concert for the Ukraine, featuring works by Ukrainian, Tartar and Georgia composers.

The concert is at 8 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El and requires advance reservations. Cost per ticket totals $2.06. Temple Emanu-El is at 1701 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

July 15-16, 2023 Double Bill: “L'enfant et les sortileges” and “Gianni Schicchi”

“L'enfant et les sortileges,” a one-act opera by Maurice Ravel, tells the story of a mischievous child and the magical consequences of their actions, brought to life with projection mapping technology. The title translates to “The child and the magic spells.” 

“Gianni Schicchi,” by Giacomo Puccini, is a one-act comic opera about scheming relatives and a crafty neighbor, who seek to inherit when a wealthy man dies. It includes the famous arias “O mio babbino caro.”

Performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 15, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 16, at Temple Emanu-El and requires advance reservations. Cost is $55.20 for VIP tickets and $2.06 for general admission.

Temple Emanu-El is at 1701 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139. 

July 20, 2023 Immersive Space Symphony

This unique work, designed by Michael Rossi, combines cutting-edge projection mapping technology with the power of a full orchestra. The musical journal will include Gustav Holst's “The Planets,” Strauss' “Also sprach Zarathustra” (the opening music for “2001: A Space Odyssey”), and selections from Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for “Interstellar.” The visuals seek to capture the unique character of each planet.

Cost is $81.88 for VIP tickets, $55.25 for priority tickets and $2.06 for general admission, which is not fully inside the projections. 

The performance is at 8 p.m. at Faena Forum, 3300-3398 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

July 21 and July 23, 2023 “Hansel and Gretel”

The immersive performance, with a score by Engelbert Humperdinck, is based on the familiar tale and its original setting as a chamber opera with a children's libretto. This version will use immersive projection mapping technology to put the audience inside a continuous 360-degree display. 

Cost is $81.88 for VIP tickets, $55.25 for priority tickets and $2.06 for general admission, which is not fully inside the projections. 

The performance is at 8 p.m. July 21 and 1:30 p.m. July 23 at Faena Forum, 3300-3398 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

July 22, 2023 10th Anniversary Celebration with the Immersive Space Symphony

This unique work, designed by Michael Rossi, combines cutting-edge projection mapping technology with the power of a full orchestra. The musical journal will include Gustav Holst's “The Planets,” Strauss' “Also sprach Zarathustra” (the opening music for “2001: A Space Odyssey”), and selections from Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for “Interstellar.” The visuals seek to capture the unique character of each planet.

Holders of $150 tickets are invited to a cocktail party at 6:30 p.m. Others tickets are $81.88 for VIP tickets, $55.25 for priority tickets and $2.06 for general admission, which is not fully inside the projections. 

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Faena Forum, 3300-3398 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140. 

July 22-23, 2023 “L'incoronazione di Poppea”

This was Claudio Monteverdi’s final opera, which brings gods, love, and men in conflict. The Miami Music Festival’s Baroque Institute will present an intimate setting of this classic opera.

Performances are at 1:30 p.m. July 22 and 5 p.m. July 23 at the Faena Forum Amphitheater. Cost is $44.52 for VIP tickets with two drinks and $2.06 for general admission. The Faena Forum Amphitheater is 3300-3398 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33140. 

For more information and tickets, click here.

These are the free concerts on Ocean Drive:

• July 2, 6 p.m. Celebration in Song
• July 9, 6 p.m. Broadway Night
• July 16, 6 p.m. Zarzuela on the Beach
• July 23, 6 p.m. Alumni and Faculty Chamber Music Concert
• July 30, 6 p.m. Encore Broadway, Zarbuela and Opera

More free and cheap concerts and music events this week: