Duelling Divas®: The Battle Begins!

Full set, 18 costumes, 11 wigs, weapons, and hilarity to spare...along with glorious singing, solo piano, and exciting music making.  Did we mention the weapons?

This show is performed in a straight 90-minute set, or in two acts with intermission. It is easily adaptable to corporate events and parties, and the "characters" enjoy making appearances for any occasion - radio, TV, restaurant openings, school shows, family concerts, you name it.

Cast:

• Birgit Fioravante as The Baroness Vladka von Loudenstimme  
• Wendy Reynolds as Gwendoline Josephine Bellevoix Bouvier
• Dr. Heather Coltman as Paige Turner at the piano

Full press kit, sample program and tech rider available upon request.  Visit www.duellingdivas.com and find us on YouTube!

Two professional opera singers decided that the world needed a good fat laugh! As Howard Cohen of The Miami Herald wrote: “Who knew opera could be so much fun? The Sopranos was never quite like this: Baroness Vladka (rhymes with vodka, for reasons that will soon be apparent) von Loudenstimme has had a long career on the opera stage but for how much longer is anyone's guess. She's still got the pipes but she likes to soak them in booze whenever she can -- as in during every performance. So she hires the younger Southern belle Gwendoline Josephine Bellevoix Bouvier, who fancies herself French and cultured but who grew up in Boar Tush, La., to sing for the audience so she can sprint off stage for a nip. One pianist named Paige Turner, 18 costumes, a horned helmet, spear, light saber and a lotta Puccini later, the diva duet becomes a duel. The aim is laughter.  That's the premise of Duelling Divas, a comedic entree into the world of grand opera….”    (excerpted from The Miami Herald July 11, 2008)

The performers, sopranos Birgit Fioravante and Wendy Reynolds, along with pianist Heather Coltman, are well-known to Florida audiences through their associations with Florida Grand Opera, Island Opera Theatre, Palm Beach Opera, Florida Philharmonic, Boca Raton Sinfonia and Florida Atlantic University.  Active as soloists, chamber musicians and recitalists, they have performed to critical acclaim in diverse local, national and international venues. Through their association, they have written and brought to life this theatrical extravaganza directed by Trent Blanton.  

With their big egos, big wigs, gorgeous voices, and ridiculous characters, audiences from college kids to older opera buffs adore this show and schtick. As Harry Schroeder of Key West’s Solares Hill observed: “Comedy and grand opera are not usually found together, except perhaps sometimes unintentionally. Duelling Divas combines some excellent singing of familiar operatic pieces with parody, satire, and just plain slapstick. To be credible as a clown is hard enough; to alternate that with singing or playing beautifully, as serious artists, must be to raise the difficulty exponentially. The participants brought it off brilliantly.” (excerpted from Solares Hill, February 1, 2009)

And remember, "it ain't over till...", well, you know.