Sunny, chance of arias, with Van Winkle at the symphony
The meteorologist likes mezzos and Mozart, but rarely gets time to see them in his evening TV work.
When soprano Anna Skibinsky and tenor Harold Meers step on stage with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida Saturday, they're certain to be dressed for the weather: They have their own meteorologist with them.
Robert Van Winkle, the eternally sunny senior chief meteorologist for NBC-2 TV, is the narrator for "A Night at the Opera," a big-sound annual that has become a tradition in the the orchestra's Masterworks Series. And if Van Winkle, whose history includes a navy stint aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, seems like an unlikely candidate to be an opera aficionado, he comes from Prescott, Arizona, close enough to Santa Fe for weekend trips to see its famous opera company. From his early start, he became a supporter of the arts that has brought him to the symphony as a narrator at least twice and as emcee for the annual Fort Myers high school music awards showcase for a number of years.
Under the direction of Nir Kabaretti, music director for the symphony, there should be a bounty of Van Winkle's, and everyone else's favorites, such as “Nessun Dorma” and the love duet from “Madama Butterfly.” Among Van Winkle's busier forecasting weeks are forest fire season, but he took time out to answer questions via email about his fondness for mezzos and Mozart, with a dash of Rossini thrown in:
Naples Daily News: What do you know about opera and how did you get interested?
Robert Van Winkle: I first became a fan of opera in junior high school when I saw a production of "The Magic Flute" at the Santa Fe Opera. I will never forget the Queen of the Night making an entrance in that outdoor opera house in New Mexico. Incredible!!
NDN: Do you sing opera? And have you ever had a part in one – or in a musical?
Van Winkle: I've been in many musicals and have sung chorus in "Barber of Seville." My favorite opera is Rossini's "La Cenerentola." The soprano aria at the ending is the BEST!
NDN: Do you ever get to see the local operas with your job, which is evening work?
Van Winkle: Sadly, I rarely get to go out during the week because of my work.
NDN: If you’re the narrator Saturday night, do you get to talk about the story lines?
Van Winkle: My intros on Saturday night will be pretty short and sweet. We won't have a lot of time for detailed story lines. But there will be a few fun insights about each piece.
NDN: If you had a request, what would it be?
Van Winkle: The finale of Act I from "La Cenerentola (Cinderella)," or .the Queen of the Night singing "Der hoelle rache (Hell's revenge" from "Die Zauberfloete (The Magic Flute)""
NDN: It sounds as if you like all kinds of music, if I saw correctly about Electric Light Orchestra being one of your faves. Is there a band you’d take off work to see?
Van Winkle: I would take time off to go see the Dave Matthews Band. I'm actually in one of his music videos! It's for the song "Everyday," and the video was shot in Charlottesville (Virginia) where I used to work.
NDN: Do you play a musical instrument?
Van Winkle: The cornet/trumpet
NDN: And if you have a favorite opera singer or recording, what is it?
Van Winkle: Cecilia Bartoli is by far my favorite.
NDN: Would you like to play a character in any of them? Or would you just laugh at yourself?
Van Winkle: I always thought I could play the Rat King in "The Nutcracker" because nobody would know it was me! Otherwise, if I could sing it, I'd play Figaro.
NDN: I have to ask: Everyone wants to know who picks out your eclectic ties?
Van Winkle: I have a special place in Boynton Beach, which I won't reveal ... yet.
If you go
'A Night at the Opera'
Who: Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Music Director Nir Kabaretti conducting, with soprano Anna Skibinsky, tenor Harold Meers, narrator Robert Van Winkle and the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25; pre-concert talk at 7 p.m.
Where: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 FSW Parkway, Fort Myers
Tickets: $25-$85
To buy: swflso.org or 239-418-1500