
Jennifer Harris and her husband, Joseph Slosivich, moved to Nashville from California several years ago and quickly became involved in our community.
They are both long-time Nashville Opera devotees and graciously hosted a beautiful Patron Party for the prelude to La Bella Notte 2025 at their lovely home in Northumberland. They are excited to introduce others to this engaging art form.
Katie Marchetti is a former attorney now serving as the Vice President of Philanthropic Services for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. With a diverse career background and having lived and worked in several countries, Katie brings a global perspective to everything she does. La Bella Notte will be held on February 8, 2025, at 1 Hotel Nashville. (nashvilleopera.org)
Nashville Lifestyles: What made you want to chair La Bella Notte?
Jennifer Harris: This year is special in the coming together of two elements: First, I am a genuine devotee of Nashville Opera and its artistic leadership and unparalleled community outreach, and second, the chance to work with the brilliant force that is Katie Marchetti could not be passed up. Katie and I met at a dinner before an opera production and hit it off. We are both big opera fans and we both love Italy. Most importantly, we share the goal of making sure that Nashville Opera can continue to be such an important part of the arts community.
Katie Marchetti: I am a Nashville native but spent most of my adult life in Western Europe. Since moving back in 2019, I have been overwhelmed by the talent level in the Nashville Opera. Further, it is so accessible because of the support of generous donors. Nashvillians can see a Tier 2 opera at an affordable price, and we want to keep it that way. In so many other countries, opera is a very accessible art form, not only for elite parts of society. I want Nashville to preserve this accessibility.
NL: How are the funds raised from this event utilized?
JH: The proceeds from La Bella Notte, in addition to supporting the production of four mainstage operas, make the incredible education and outreach program possible, which reaches more than 60,000 children in their own schools and neighborhoods. The Opera on Tour program goes to 100 schools each year and is sold out within 45 minutes of releasing dates. Studies have shown that music helps the brain in so many ways, along with the central nervous system. The exposure to opera and classical music will benefit children in countless ways and will stay with them forever. I know that my husband was introduced to opera on a school trip with his public school and he became a lifelong devotee.
NL: Why is it important to support La Bella Notte?
KM: A thriving arts community is the sign of a growing and progressive society. Nashville does such a beautiful job of this in so many ways and the Nashville Opera is one of them. We have to consistently ensure that all of our children (regardless of background and socioeconomic status) have exposure to all different types of arts so they can continue to feed the creative sides of their brains. We, as a city and culture, can just keep getting better! I remember being in Budapest, Hungary, some time back – I grabbed $3 tickets to Turandot on a Thursday evening. I was sitting in a packed house next to two older teenagers in tracksuits. This is how accessible opera should be.
NL: What inspires you to utilize your time, talents, and treasure for nonprofits?
JH: I am devoted to Nashville Opera specifically and to working to enable the company to continue its mission and expansion within our community. Nashville is growing and Nashville Opera is leading that growth and must continue to do so. Very few programs in this country have as much impact on children and the future of music as Nashville Opera’s programs.
KM: I have three young children. I want to leave this world in a better place for them than it is currently. I’ve also had the privilege of growing up in one of the richest and most privileged countries in the world. I’ve had so many opportunities to travel and see how much art can impact societies around the world. If I can’t do it, I’m not sure who I’m waiting for.