Maestro Mark Sforzini is not merely a visionary leader who established an innovative and successful nonprofit business (although he is, and he did). He is a composer whose orchestral and chamber works have been commissioned and performed by the Florida Orchestra, Tampa Bay Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Eastern Music Festival, Toledo Symphony Orchestra and numerous others. He has written and produced several one-act opera and music programs based on operatic repertoire. Sforzini’s acclaimed Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon debuted in 2018.
The Alabama native served as principal bassoon of the Florida Orchestra from 1992 to 2007. He was the artistic director of the prestigious Encore Series of chamber music at the Palladium Theater for several years. He co-founded FloriMezzo in 2003, serving as its artistic director for five years. In addition, he was Music Director of the Pinellas Youth Symphony and a composer-mentor for Hillsborough County Schools.
In 2005, he was invited to guest-conduct a one-time production of Madama Butterfly at the Palladium Theater. And so, St. Petersburg Opera Company was born.
Far from resting on his considerable laurels, Sforzini continues to stretch, to test the boundaries of what an opera company can and should be. Each season brings several lavishly staged and fully orchestrated productions of classic operas, pops and cabaret shows, a children’s introduction to opera, seasonal showcases, and other vastly entertaining offerings.
In addition to his duties as St. Pete Opera’s general manager, chief visionary, arranger, and conductor, Maestro Sforzini is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and chamber music coach. Since 2012, he has been music director and conductor of the Tampa Bay Symphony and established a Call for Scores Competition to promote 21st-century works by composers worldwide. Mark Sforzini was chosen by Musical America as one of 30 international industry professionals as a “Profile in Courage.” These top industry leaders have “taken a risk, spoken out where others were silent – all to the measurable benefit of their arts organizations and the field.”
A multi-talented multi-tasker, Michael is the liaison between our artists, their managers and agents, and the St. Pete Opera.
He administrates and proctors our annual auditions in New York City and in St. Petersburg, negotiates and writes artist contracts, and keeps their needs met and their best interests served.
Michael is a native of northern lower Michigan; he arrived in Tampa Bay in 1984 and joined SPO in 2012. Michael is a gourmet cook who spent 25 years in the wine business. “Good wine and good food are still constants in my life,” he says. “And travel – I love to travel!”
Susan came to the opera in 2019 to help out for a few months and is still with the company making sure our performers are housed with volunteer housing hosts. She has been a Freelance Musician, Oboe Teacher, Contract and Grant Administrator at the University of California – Berkeley, Stay-at-Home mom, elementary school music teacher, and small business owner (Pinch-A-Penny stores). She plays oboe in the opera orchestra and other SPO musical productions.
She holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Oboe Performance from Northwestern University
Susan began playing oboe in the Tampa Bay Symphony in 2011, where she met conductor Mark Sforzini, who introduced her to the St. Pete Opera Company. She has been a devoted fan of the company since seeing the production of The Tales of Hoffman in 2017.
With her husband, she enjoys going around western Florida, visiting the National Parks on extended camping trips with their dachshund/chihuahua mix, Chester. The couple have two grown children.
Karl started with SPO as a German language coach and took on his production role in 2014. He contracts with all orchestra personnel, and manages all production schedules and crew, stage management, designers, stage design and construction, wig/makeup, and stage direction. Karl is an inspired stage director for selected operas, most recently, Semele, La Fille de Regiment, Fidelio and Turandot.
Karl has been a director of artistic administration at Florida Grand Opera, education director at Sarasota, and an Opera America Fellow. He has a B.A. in theatre arts from Loyola University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix.
He also writes and has prepared the projected English titles for over 50 operas. He was married to his wife Debra for 32 years and has two children and five grandchildren.
David joined St. Pete Opera in January of 2025 to develop SPO’s fundraising including major gifts, corporate and foundation giving, planned giving and special events. He works closely with the General Director and Board to develop fundraising goals and strategies that align with the organization’s mission and values.
Prior to SPO, David was Director of Experiential Learning at the Ringling College of Art + Design (2023-25), a visiting and adjunct faculty member at the University of Tampa (2017-18 & 2022-23) and Executive Director of St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District Association (2018-23).
David holds a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from Savannah College of Art + Design.
Cecelia Messina has been a part of the SPO family since 2017, when she and her family welcomed out-of-town performers as housing hosts. Cecelia joined SPO as an Administrative Assistant position in 2021. In November 2022, she moved into the business office and is currently the Business Manager processing donations and managing the day-to-day finances.
John Short started with SPO as a singer all the way back in 2011. It wasn’t long before he started working as a musical and production assistant to Maestro Mark Sforzini. Over
the years, this has included set building/painting, load-in/out crew, props management, event/rehearsal set-up, orchestra librarian/part creation, and everything in between. John has sung more than operas in the ensemble with SPO, often understudying roles and occasionally singing small comprimario parts.
John is an alumnus of State College of Florida and University of South Florida in vocal performance.
John also plays violin, trombone, and has sung on a Grammy-nominated choral album.
His 13 1/2 year-old pug, Miss Piggy, is the most important thing in his life. They enjoy daily bike rides while listening to a wide assortment of music.
