


It is an art form with 400 years of variety. And he’s been a key component in making SPO run ever since. Karl joined our family for the 2013 production of Aridadne Auf Naxos, as the German language coach and in the role of Haushofmeister, in 2013. What doesn’t Karl do for SPO? Here’s a cross-section of his job description: Coordinating production schedules, orchestral personnel, finding production personnel, preparing/translating projected translations, writing program synopses, preparing costume size sheets for designers … he’s also an accomplished stage director ( Il Trovatore, La Boheme, Faust, Don Giovanni and many more), a singer and a serious student, scholar and aficionado of opera. Petersburg Opera community made me feel welcome the passion and compassion this supportive and extended family shows for the craft of Opera and each other is something rare and special.” His core philosophy for surviving and thriving in our rapidly evolving business and social environment is based on two concepts: Collaboration with the community and Engagement with your customers. After a brief stint practicing law, Roger spent most of his legal career coordinating continuing legal education for attorneys around the country. He is also an attorney and an alum of Stetson Law School, where he graduated in 2002. Prior to joining the Opera’s leadership team, Roger has helped found, fund, or grow numerous local business entities in the hospitality sector as well as mentoring a variety of companies and entrepreneurs in the bay area. Petersburg Opera is made possible by the amazing and generous donor base.” Raising funds is the lifeblood of most non-profits and as Roger likes to explain, “2/3rds of everything you see at the St. As Director of Development, Roger works directly with Mark Sforzini and the team to amplify the mission and vision of the Opera. Matheson holds degrees from the University of Prince Edward Island (B.Mus.Ed), the Cleveland Institute of Music (M.Mus in Collaborative Piano), the Manhattan School of Music (Professional Studies Diploma in Vocal Accompanying) and is a graduate of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program.Roger is a multi-generational Floridian born in Tampa, raised in Brandon & Bradenton, and has called St. Matheson has worked with the world’s leading young artist programs, including the International Opera Studio (Opernhaus Zürich), Atkins Young Artist Program (The Mariinsky Theatre), Lindemann Young Artist Development Program (The Metropolitan Opera), Ryan Opera Center (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Music Academy of the West, Aspen Music Festival and the International Vocal Arts Institute.

Passionate about nurturing the next generation of opera singers and pianists, Ms. As assistant conductor, she has worked with luminaries including James Levine, Fabio Luisi, Yannick Nezet-Seguin, and Gianandrea Noseda, and has been engaged in that capacity by such renowned festivals as the Salzburger Festspiele and the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Matheson made her conducting debut at Opernhaus Zürich, where she has since conducted works such as L a Finta Giardiniera, Don Pasquale and Iphigénie en Tauride. Especially in demand as a recital pianist, she has performed with many of the world’s most celebrated opera singers, including Rolando Villazón, Benjamin Bernheim, Jonas Kaufmann, Piotr Beczała, Diana Damrau, Thomas Hampson and Joyce DiDonato.
