What's New at Sarasota Opera?

Maestro Giuseppe Verdi

2012-01-27T09:56:00.000-05:00

In honor of the anniversary of the death of the great Maestro, Giuseppe Verdi. Your legacy lives on through your art.

The Art Whisperer profiles Sarasota Opera!

2012-01-24T09:39:00.000-05:00

Lucia on Parade!

2012-01-23T17:42:00.003-05:00

Carmen and La bohème are not the only places in opera where parades occur. When a production crew is assembling the set of an opera for the first time, they do what is called a "Set Parade" where they assemble all the pieces of the set for the entire show. Below are some photos from today's Set Parade for our upcoming production of Lucia di Lammermoor opening February 18th.

The creative team for Lucia di Lammermoor, including Stage Director Brian Robertson and Director of Production Chris Van Alstyne, work with their crew to assemble the set for the opera.

Here is a photo of the diagrams they have to follow.

The set for Otello arriving at Sarasota Opera

2012-01-19T11:43:00.004-05:00

Have you ever wondered how those giant operatic sets are delivered to the Sarasota Opera House? Here are a few pictures of the set for our 2012 production of Verdi's Otello being arriving. Believe it or not, this is only one delivery of two!!

Sarasota Youth Opera Packs the House at Annual Holiday Concert!

2011-12-12T14:33:00.009-05:00

On Sunday, December 11, 2011, the Sarasota Youth Opera Preparatory Chorus and Full Chorus packed the house for their annual Holiday Concert at the Whitfield Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, Florida.

Dave Braun, Music Director of Whitfield Presbyterian Church, welcomed the audience made up of Sarasota Youth Opera Supporters, family, friends and fans. Under the direction of Maestro Jesse Martins, Youth Opera Music Director, Ben Plocher, Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, the Full Chorus and Preparatory Chorus presented an hour long program of opera choruses, folk songs and holiday favorites. As a special treat, Youth Opera parents were invited to join the choruses for a singing of Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" as well as the Christmas classic "Why can't we have Christmas the whole year around?". Maestro Kristen Kemp expertly accompanied both groups on the piano.

Dave Braun, Music Director of Whitfield Presbyterian Church, welcomed the audience as well as offered a special thanks to Executive Director, Susan Danis.

The Full Chorus opened the concert with choruses from Leoncavallo's opera Pagliacci and Weber's opera Oberon.

The Preparatory Chorus followed with charming folk songs performed from memory

Sarasota Opera Individual Giving Officer, Andrea Gartner, joined the Preparatory Chorus on the oboe

Here are a few more pictures from yesterday's wonderful concert:

The applause was abundant for these young performers and the audience left with smiles on their faces and a holiday song in their heart. Bravi to Maestro Martins, Ben Plocher, Maestro Kemp and especially to each and every member of the Sarasota Youth Opera for all of their hard work!

2011-12-08T17:06:00.001-05:00

Below is an article from the Chicago Tribune regarding the significant drop in theater subscriptions across the country!

Big national drop in theater subscriptions
November 28, 2011|Chris Jones|Chicago Tribune

Theater criticFor those in the theater industry who long have followed the late Danny Newman's "Subscribe Now!" mantra to build loyal subscribers rather than fickle single ticket buyers, the latest research from the Theatre Communications Group should make sobering reading.

At least where non-profit American theaters are concerned, it is not working so well anymore.

According to Theatre Facts 2010, the annual research snapshot released by the TCG lobbying and support organization, subscription income is dropping at American theaters at an alarming rate.

Between 2006 and 2010, the report (released Monday) says, national subscription income dropped by an eye-catching 15.1%. Some 14% fewer subscripion tickets were sold and the closely watched subscriber base dropped by 15%.

Overall attendance also fell, slightly. The decline was 3.6%, although the study notes that attendance went up for workshops, skeletal productions and the like. Theaters, the study notes, have cut costs by an average of 2.6%, no doubt in response to these numbers and also to the decline in philanthropic giving (contributed income fell during the period of the study by 5.2 percent).

Interestingly, single-ticket income rose modestly during each of the years in the study. And between 2006 and 2010, the number of single-ticket buyers rose by 3%. Most theaters report a positive change in unrestricted net assets, growth that the study attributes to the rising price of a single ticket.

Sarasota Opera Hosts Friend-Raising Event in Pinellas County

2011-12-08T09:46:00.008-05:00

Sarasota Opera hosted two friend-raising events for the Florida Suncoast Opera League, the Pinellas Opera League and patrons of Sarasota Opera on Saturday, November 19th in St. Petersburg, FL and Sunday, November 20th in Dunedin, FL. Tampa Bay Magazine publisher Aaron Fodiman, and his wife Margaret Wood Burnside, generously donated their homes for the events. The events were chaired by Sarasota Opera Trustee Don Worthington and his wife Rachael Worthington, and were generously underwritten by PNC Bank.

Executive Director Susan Danis, Aaron Fodiman and his wife, Margaret Wood Burnside at Ovation.

Sarasota Opera Trustee member Don Worthington welcomes the guests at Ovation.

The events were two hours each and attendees enjoyed cocktails, light hors d’oeuvres and a 30 minute concert presented by Sarasota Opera Artists Youna Jang, soprano and tenor Heath Huberg. “The purpose of these two events was to bring Sarasota Opera to our friends and supporters in Pinellas County”, says Greg Parry, Director of Marketing at Sarasota Opera. “This was a wonderful opportunity to say hello to new and existing patrons, let them know what we have coming up for our 2012 Winter Festival Season and, most importantly, enjoy some wonderful singing by our artists. We are grateful to Mr. Fodiman and Ms. Burnside for opening their homes, Don and Rachael Worthington for chairing the events and PNC Bank for their generous underwriting.”

Guests included Sarasota Opera Executive Director Susan T. Danis, Dr. Zena Lansky and Warren Rodgers, Aaron Fodiman and his wife Margaret Wood Burnside, Ambassador Mel Sembler and his wife Betty Sembler, the Honorable Pamela Campbell and her husband George Campbell, Sarasota Opera Board Chairman Joe Stephan and his wife Nora Stephan, and Kathleen Monahan, Director of Cultural & Civic Services for the City of Tarpon Springs.

Below are some photos from the event at Ovation:

Tenor Heath Huberg sings for the crowd

Soprano Youna Jang entertains the crowd with a selection of arias

Richard and Marita Rotella (left) and Lilo and Jeffrey Barnes (right)

Jay Kaminsky and Aaron Fodiman at Ovation

George Campbell, Sarasota Opera Board Chairman Joe Stephan, Nora Stephan and Ambassador Mel Sembler

The Honorable Pamela Campbell, Rachael Worthington, and George Campbell

And here are some photos from the next day's event at the home of Aaron Fodiman and Margaret Wood Burnside in Dunedin, FL:

Fazal Fazlin and Fay Lazaris

The Honorable and Mrs. William Castagna, John Prevas, Mavis Gibson, and Margaret Carrington

Pat Benjamin, Elena Cifuentes, Patti Italiano, Judy Dato

Joe and Michelle Menasce, Bonny Heet, Martin Martel, and John Rinde

Sarasota Opera Announces Latest Youth Opera Commission and Co-Production

2011-11-18T10:48:00.008-05:00

Sarasota Opera proudly announced at a press conference on Tuesday, November 15th, its latest commission for the Sarasota Youth Opera program, Little Nemo in Slumberland, which will have its world premiere in November 2012 as part of Sarasota Opera’s fall season. The new opera draws source material from serial art pioneer Winsor McCay’s comic strip Little Nemo in Slumberland. The strip is set in the dreams of its title character and features fantasy art that attempts to capture the look and feel of a creative unconscious.

Little Nemo in Slumberland will be a Co-Production with the University of Kentucky Opera Theater and will utilize a new leading edge, innovative theater technology, SCRIBE (Self-Contained Rapidly Integratable Background Environment) that was piloted at the University of Kentucky. This technology, which has been successfully used in productions at the University of Kentucky Opera Theater and Atlanta Opera, will help meet the creative challenge presented by bringing such a fantasy based story to life.

The Creative Team for Little Nemo in Slumberland
Composer: Daron Aric Hagen
Librettist: J.D. McClatchy
Conductor: Steven Osgood
Stage Director: Martha Collins
Scenic Designer: Michael Schweikardt
Costume Designer: Howard Tsvi Kaplan
Lighting Designer: Ken Yunker
Associate Conductor: Jesse Martins

About the Commission and Co-Production:
One of Sarasota Opera’s goals for its Youth Opera Program is to periodically commission a fully realized opera for young people. Sarasota Opera commissioned the two-act, sixty-minute youth opera specifically for the young voices (ages 8 – 18) of its youth Opera Chorus. Recognizing the need to support “youth operas”, the company and the artists agreed to create a work with wider application that would be appropriate, for example, for university undergraduate programs and youth choral groups at other U.S. and Canadian opera companies. The project thus expands the performance opportunities for thousands of young singers.

Composer Daron Hagen Photo by Neil Erickson

Composer Daron Hagen flew in especially for the press conference and spoke about what motivated him to become a part of this project. He explained that at the time he was approached by Mr. McClatchy to compose the music for Little Nemo in Slumberland, he and his wife were expecting and he found himself with the desire to want to enter into the mind of his children to be. “I wanted to enter into Sandy’s (Mr. McClatchy) main image which is a world of dreams and I wanted to create music that expressed the core values of who I am as a person.” The opera took 9 months to compose and another 6 months to complete the orchestration.

“This is a fantastic company with a reputation of being world class”, Mr. Hagen explained when he discussed why he chose to work with Sarasota Opera. “I didn’t want to go on this journey with anyone but the best.”

Based on the recommendation of the composer, Dr. Everett McCorvey, Director of Opera at the University of Kentucky, agreed to partner with Sarasota Opera in the creation of this project.

“This is an ideal partnership as it brings together the best of what our two organizations have to offer in order to see this project through to completion”, says Dr. McCorvey. “It is truly a rare and valuable gift to be able to offer an opera to young people that is specifically designed for developing voices. In addition, to have the capability to be able to partner that with a high quality production to compliment the singers performances is something not readily seen at the University or Youth Opera level.” Dr. McCorvey has plans to make Little Nemo in Slumberland part of University of Kentucky Opera Theater’s 2012 mainstage spring production.

Dr. Everett McCorvey speaking at the Press Conference Tuesday
Image courtesy of Bill Wagy

“To be frank, this is a big deal”, says Executive Director Susan Danis. “We are just beyond thrilled to see this project begin to take form and to be able to offer this incredibly unique opportunity to the dedicated young singers of the Sarasota Youth Opera and the students at the University of Kentucky.”

SCRIBE Technology:

SCRIBE technology is a rear projection system that breaks the overall projection into multiple tiles. An individual projector is responsible for each tile. Each projector emits a tiled portion of the image. The collective display, ultimately, is the entire image rendered in one seamless image on screen. This new technology allows designers to create very large images without sacrificing precious stage space, which can then be given back to performers. Thus far, this technology has only been used by the University of Kentucky Opera Theater and Atlanta Opera.

Technical and design meetings have already begun at both at the University of Kentucky and Sarasota Opera. The music itself will be “work shopped” by University of Kentucky students in the spring/summer of 2012 then finally brought to Sarasota to begin rehearsals with the Youth Opera program. November 2012 will mark the World Premiere performance on the Sarasota Opera stage.

Here are some more images from Tuesday's press conference. All images are courtesy of Bill Wagy.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Kretzmer were amongst the audience members on Tuesday.

Composer Daron Hagen speaks to members of the press and special guests.

Librettist J.D. McClatchy and Maestro Victor DeRenzi address the audience.

Sarasota Artists present excerpts from "Little Nemo in Slumberland".

Sarasota Opera's MADAMA BUTTERFLY on ABC 7

2011-10-27T11:11:00.010-04:00

Sarasota Opera's production of Puccini's Madama Butterfly, opening tomorrow night, is Linda Carson's and Sarasota ABC 7's pick of the week! Click through to see the video!

Maestro DeRenzi Honored for Excellence in Arts Leadership

2011-10-25T11:00:00.004-04:00

Maestro Victor DeRenzi was honored on Monday, October 24th, at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County 13th annual Awards Celebration. Maestro DeRenzi was given the 2011 Arts Leadership Award for Artistic Achievement and the Sarasota Youth Opera offered their first public performance of the new season. Read all about it here!

http://artssarasota.com/2011-10-24/section/theater/arts-leaders-honored-in-annual-ceremony/

SNN 6 Behind the Scenes look at MADAMA BUTTERFLY

2011-10-24T10:45:00.004-04:00

If you missed it live on TV, check out this video of SNN 6 and their behind the scenes look at Sarasota Opera's upcoming fall production of Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY opening this Friday, October 28th.

Madama Butterfly Takes Flight This Friday!

2011-10-23T08:55:00.003-04:00

Another great article about Sarasota Opera's production of Madama Butterfly opening this Friday!

http://www.bradenton.com/2011/10/23/3588827/sarasota-operas-53rd-season-takes.html

2011-10-22T15:05:00.002-04:00

Read what Jay Handelman and the Herald Tribune have to say about our upcoming production of Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY!

http://artssarasota.com/2011-10-21/featured/butterfly-takes-wing-again-at-sarasota-opera/

2011-10-21T07:36:00.002-04:00

Read all about our new Director of Production, Chris Van Alstyne, profiled by The Observer.

http://www.yourobserver.com/news/sarasota/A-and-E/1019201114765/BACKSTAGE-PASS-Crew-chief

2011-10-10T12:12:00.002-04:00

It is Giuseppe Verdi's Birthday today born in 1813 in Le Roncole, a village near Busseto! In his honor, here is a video of his famous 'Va, Peniero' from his opera Nabucco. What is your favorite moment from a Verdi Opera?

Another project completed through Gulf Coast Gives!

2011-09-28T16:43:00.005-04:00

THANK YOU DONORS AND GULF COAST GIVES!!! Thanks to your continued generous support, our Carmen will be singing in style this season and Susan Danis can put her 1st grade Carmen costume back in the closet.

SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA ANNOUNCES AUDITIONS FOR THE 2011-2012 SEASON

2011-08-26T17:41:00.002-04:00

Sarasota, FL – Entering its 28th year, the Sarasota Youth Opera program, the most comprehensive program of its kind in the United States, is now open for enrollment for the 2011-2012 Season for new and returning young singers ages 8 – 18. Enrollment night for returning singers will happen on Tuesday, August 30th from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm and Enrollment Night for new singers will happen on Thursday, September 1st from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, both at the Sarasota Opera House. Rehearsals will begin the following week.

During the Fall and Winter season, the Sarasota Youth Opera will perform in outreach concerts throughout the community as well as participate in a special concert with the Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artists on March 10, 2012. In addition, Youth Opera members will be eligible to audition for the children’s chorus in Sarasota Opera’s Winter Festival productions of Georges Bizet’s Carmen and Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello. This season promises to be particularly exciting as Sarasota Opera welcomes the new Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, Ben Plocher, and the new Youth Opera Music Director, Jesse Martins, in addition to preparations for a world premiere piece presented by the Sarasota Youth Opera in the fall of 2012.

Ben Plocher, who will serve as the Youth Opera and Outreach Coordinator, holds a Bachelor of Music with honors in Vocal Performance from Butler University in addition to a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Southern Methodist University. His experience working as the Operations Manager for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, a statewide choral organization consisting of 1,700 young singers in 15 different ensembles, immediately distinguished him as a well qualified candidate for the position. While at the Indianapolis Children’s Chorus, his primary responsibilities included community outreach, programming, advertising and the development of educational partnerships. "Sarasota Opera's commitment to educational outreach and programming provides invaluable access to the arts for the next generation of opera performers and enthusiasts”, says Mr. Plocher. “I am truly honored to be able to work alongside the Sarasota Opera team towards the fulfillment of such an auspicious, and important, mission."

Jesse Martins will also be joining the Youth Opera staff as the Youth Opera Music Director. Mr. Martins, originally from Brazil, most recently completed his Master of Arts in Collaborative Piano from Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA. Prior to that, he held the position of Assistant Music Director, Program Manager and Coach with Opera Factory in Auckland, New Zealand where his one of his primary responsibilities was the management of the Youth Program in addition to working with such noted conductors and singers such as Sir Andrew Davis, Wyn Davis, Emmanuel Joel-Hornak and soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. "I feel very humbled and excited for my new position with Sarasota Opera”, says Martins. “I'm thrilled to work with Youth Opera again and can't wait to start.” In addition to his degree from Mansfield University, Martins holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Enrollment Night is a fun opportunity for kids and families to meet the music director and program coordinator one-on-one, take a tour of the Opera House, and learn music in a mini-rehearsal (singers do not have to prepare a song for this exercise) to help determine placement between the Youth Opera Chorus and the Preparatory Choir. There will also be a parents meeting to go over specifics of the program, payment schedules, and other information.

Sarasota Youth Opera accepts all levels of talent and provides vocal and acting training. Tuition is $150 per session and scholarships are available based on financial need. Tuition can be paid via check, credit card or the administration can work with you to create a payment plan. The Fall Session will begin in September and the Spring Session begins in early January and end in mid May.

To sign up for either of the enrollment night, call Ben Plocher at (941) 366-8450, ext. 249.

Meet the Stars of The Crucible!

2011-03-14T15:29:00.000-04:00

Meet the Stars of I Lombardi

2011-03-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

Robert Ward discusses his Masterpiece

2011-03-08T10:12:00.000-05:00

Sarasota Opera Winter Open House

2011-02-25T12:06:00.000-05:00

Take me out to the ball game!

2011-02-24T17:00:00.000-05:00

Tenor Joshua Kohl

Joshua Kohl always wanted to become a baseball player. He became an opera singer instead. On March 1 he’ll have the opportunity to combine his two loves when he sings the National Anthem at the Baltimore Orioles’ first Spring Training game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays at the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.
Mr. Kohl, a tenor, is currently singing the principal role of Don Ottavio in Sarasota Opera’s production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni. A huge Chicago White Sox fan, he played ball throughout his youth and was a varsity player in high school. He loves it so much that he decided to forego the high school musical in his senior year to play on the team.
Baseball and opera are family activities in Kohl’s household. His wife, soprano and Boston Red Sox fan Sarah Asmar, is a Studio Artist at Sarasota Opera this season and has sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park. There will surely be plenty of friends and family there to cheer Kohl on as his parents are locals — they live in Parrish.
The game is set for 1:05 p.m., Tuesday, March 1. Ed Smith Stadium is at 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota.

So who is this love 'em and leave 'em opera character?

2011-02-24T14:50:00.000-05:00

Our audience review Don Giovanni

2011-02-22T16:52:00.001-05:00

La bohème — Why the story has lasted so long!

2011-02-17T16:52:00.000-05:00

Get ready for I Lombardi!

2011-02-15T20:29:00.001-05:00

Our beautiful soprano Abla Lynn Hamza as Giselda and handsome tenor Rafael Dávila as Oronte get ready to perform Verdi's epic opera I Lombardi.

All Photos by Patricia G. Horwell

La bohème reviews from audience members

2011-02-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

Don Giovanni at Sarasota Opera

2011-02-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

Mozart's Don Giovanni playing now through March 18 at Sarasota Opera.

Photos by Rod Millington

Donna Elvira (Danielle Walker) and Don Giovanni (Lee Poulis)

Leporello (Andrew Gangestad), Don Giovanni (Lee Poulis), Zerlina (Sarah Asmar) and Masetto (Patrick McNally) are joined by chorus members

Don Giovanni (Lee Poulis) and his faithful servant Leporello (Andrew Gangestad)

Donna Anna (Christina Pier), Don Ottavio (Joshua Kohl), and Don Giovanni (Lee Poulis)

Come and Meet the Maestro

2011-02-08T11:13:00.000-05:00

Have you seen our new video, "Meet the Maestro?" Here you'll be introduced to Victor DeRenzi, the Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera.

Have you seen our new TV commercial?

2011-02-04T12:06:00.001-05:00

We just released a brand-new television commercial — currently running on ABC7 TV. See the folks on the stage and behind the scenes at Sarasota Opera getting ready for the season.

Watch it here:

The final dress rehearsal for La bohème is here!

2011-02-02T16:54:00.001-05:00

Tonight is the final dress rehearsal before La bohème opens at Sarasota Opera on Saturday night! Everyone - cast, orchestra, and crew - have really been cranking it up and are ready! La bohème is an opera for all time. Don't miss this sweet story of young love and tragedy, set in 19th-century Paris. Our production is directed by Stephanie Sundine and conducted by our artistic director, Victor DeRenzi. See you there!

Photo by Rod Millington
Cast members Matthew Hanscom, Grant Clarke, Harold Meers, and Young-Bok Kim
on the set of La bohème at Sarasota Opera.

Our 'Don Giovanni' on TV tonight!

2011-02-01T11:52:00.000-05:00

Lee Poulis, the very hot baritone who will sing the title role in our upcoming production of Don Giovanni, will be on Scene Magazine's TV show SCENE Up Close, tonight at 8 p.m on Sarasota’s local Channel 189. The production opens Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Photo by Patricia G Horwell
Christina Pier as Donna Anna and Lee Poulis as Don Giovanni

It's almost time for Opening Night!

2011-01-31T12:15:00.000-05:00

La bohème, which opens this Saturday at 4 p.m., is now ready to go into orchestra dress rehearsal! It's only a few more days until Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi conducts the Sarasota Opera Orchestra as the curtain goes up on our singers.

Photo by Patricia G Horwell

Maria D'Amato (Mìmi) and Harold Meers (Rodolfo) preparing for Opening Night, Feb. 5.

Love is in the air!

2011-01-30T12:10:00.001-05:00

Mìmi and Rodolfo — young, beautiful, and in love! Come and meet them and other members of the cast at the Meet the Artists Preview, Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 5 p.m. in the William E Schmidt Theater of the Sarasota Opera House. Tickets are $15 and are available online at http://www.sarasotaopera.org/ or at the Box Office.

Maria D'Amato as Mìmi and Harold Meers as Rodolfo in Sarasota Opera's production of La bohème,
directed by Stephanie Sundine. Opens February 5.

Photo by Patricia G Horwell

La bohème — Beautiful!

2011-01-28T21:43:00.001-05:00

Aren't Maria D'Amato and Harold Meers just fabulous as Mìmi and Rodolfo? Wait until you hear them sing! We open February 5.

Photo by Patricia G Horwell

Rehearsing La bohème

2011-01-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

Our artists are busy rehearsing La bohème, which opens February 5. We're excited and hope you are too! It's a great cast - with several audience favorites returning - Maria D'Amato, Young-Bok Kim, Carelle Flores, Grant Clarke, Bejamin Gelfand and more! Harold Meers makes his Sarasota Opera debut as heartthrob Rodolfo. And our talented Sarasota Youth Opera singers perform in the big Act II street scene!
Performances are through March 19. Get your tickets while they are still available - either at the Box Office (941) 328-1300 or online at http://www.sarasotaopera.org/seasonandtickets/index.aspx

Cast (including Sarasota Youth Opera members) rehearsing the street scene in Act II of Sarasota Opera's production of La bohème.

Carlos Monzón, Carelle Flores, Young-Bok Kim, Matthew Hanscom,
Maria D'Amato, Harold Meers, and Grant Clarke rehearse the scene
at Café Momus.

Carelle Flores sings the popular aria, Musetta's Waltz, during Act II.

Colline (Young-Bok Kim) makes a purchase from a street vendor.

Photos by Patricia Galausky Horwell

2010-11-23T12:03:00.002-05:00

The Sarasota Opera House will be alive with the sounds of the world renowned American Spiritual Ensemble.

The American Spiritual Ensemble will perform two concerts on Sunday, December 5 at 1:30pm and 6pm.

The Spiritual as a musical form has a distinct place in this country’s history. “The spirituals are the folk songs of the American negro slaves. And from the spirituals, many sorts of music and art forms grew,” says Dr. McCorvey( who holds an endowed professorship in voice and is director of opera at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY). Spirituals were often crafted with hidden or secret meanings, which only the Christian slaves understood. The word “home” can mean heaven, but covertly means a free country, a haven for slaves. The Negro Spirituals “The Gospel Train” and “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” actually refer to the Underground Railroad, which aided many slaves in finding freedom.

Founded in 1995, the American Spiritual Ensemble’s mission is to keep the American Negro Spiritual alive. The Spiritual Ensemble also has recorded four CDs and is featured in the 2007 PBS documentary “The Spirituals.” Members of the ensemble have sung in theaters and opera houses around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and abroad in Italy, Germany, Britain, Scotland, Spain and Japan.

Don’t miss this exciting event! Tickets, priced at $15 for the matinée, and $25-$75 for the evening performance, are on sale now at the Box Office, by phone at (941) 328-1300, or online at http://www.sarasotaopera.org/.

More rehearsal photos from La Cenerentola

2010-10-23T12:40:00.002-04:00

Do you have your tickets yet?
Performances are October 29, November 2, 4, and 10 at 8 p.m.; October 31 and November 7 at 1:30 p.m.
Be prepared to laugh hard and fall in love again as our cast enchants you with this amusing, magical tale.
Tickets start at only $19. Call the box office at (941) 328-1300 or visit our website for yours.

La Cenerentola, Heather Johnson, and her mean
step-sisters, Abla Lynn Hamza (Clorinda)
and Melissa Treinkman (Tisbe).

Mean step-sisters must have ugly shoes!

Step-sisters, Clorinda and Tisbe, and their father Don Magnifico, played by Stefano de Peppo.

One week until we open!

2010-10-22T09:50:00.001-04:00

We had fun with Cinderella (Heather Johnson) and Prince Ramiro (Hak Soo Kim) while doing some publicity shots in full make-up and costumes, thanks to our costume designer Howard Tsvi Kaplan and our Wigs and Make-up Designer Georgi Eberhard! Now we head into the final week of rehearsals, including two dress rehearsals - then opening night on October 29! You won't want to miss Rossini's La Cenerentola. Performances are Oct. 29, November 2, 4, and 10 at 8 p.m.; October 31 and November 7 at 7:30 p.m. Call (941) 366-8450, ext. 1 for tickets or order online.

Photos by Patricia G Horwell

The Art Whisperer visits the Opera House

2010-10-19T23:25:00.000-04:00

Sarasota's Art Whisperer visited our Opera House recently and didn't interview the beautiful mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson. See for yourself!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4_RiEeI36E

A sneak peek at rehearsal

2010-10-16T16:52:00.003-04:00

Tenor Hak Soo Kim, as Prince Ramiro, surrounded by
cast members.

Step-father (Don Magnifico), played by bass-baritone Stefano de Peppo and Tisbe (nasty step-sister) played by mezzo-soprano Melissa Treinkman

Sarasota Opera artists are busy rehearsing for our upcoming production of Rossini's version of Cinderella, La Cenerentola!

There's a wonderful energy and chemistry among cast members - it's sure to be a fantastic and fun production!
Add the lavish costumes and beautiful scenery - and you have - OPERA.

We open October 29 - check out our web site and get your tickets while they are still available. This opera is suitable for the entire family. We hope to see you there.
P.S. Keep checking this blog - more photos to come.

Cinderella and her prince

La Cenerentola (Cinderella) played by mezzo-soprano
Heather Johnson pleads with step-sisters Clorinda played
by soprano Abla Lynn Hamza and Tisbe

Step-sisters seek comfort from their father.
All photos by Patricia G Horwell

Check out our own Jeff Ellis in this week's Sarasota Observer!

2010-09-29T10:49:00.000-04:00

Jeff Ellis, our Director of Production, is featured in Backstage Pass in this week's edition of the Sarasota Observer. Here's the video (youtube) that was posted on the Observer's web site.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQS56tDuNqM&feature=player_embedded

You can read a teaser for the story at: http://www.yourobserver.com/news/longboat-key/A-and-E/092920108154/Jeff-Ellis-on-the-set-of-The-Crucible-VIDEO

Pick up a copy of the paper for the rest!

Construction of Crucible Set Continues

2010-09-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

As the opening of La Cenerentola,this year's Fall Opera selection, approaches, set designers and builders are continuing construction of a completely new set for the premiere of Robert Ward's Pulitzer prize-winning opera, The Crucible. This Winter Festival production will feature the first set ever built 'in-house' by the Sarasota Opera technical team and marks the beginning of a new American Classics Series, designed to highlight some of America's greatest operatic contributions.

Recently, the work has been centered on the construction of the bedroom scene, which will be used in Act I, Scene 1 of the production. Yesterday morning, the team had nearly completed the bare construction of the set. By the afternoon, they had successfully completed and assembled the framework, quickly disassembling it to begin the painting process.

To the left is the image of the completed set. It is very much a work in progress, however this completed framework marks a major milestone in the construction process.

On the right is another view of the completed bedroom structure. Although, the scenic material is now free-standing and physically complete, it must enter the decoration stage. In the photograph below, the individual components are spread across the floor of our very own William E. Schmidt Opera Theater, receiving their first coat of paint.

Keep checking the blog for more photos and updates on the construction process!

Work continues on set for The Crucible

2010-09-27T13:08:00.000-04:00

The crew at Sarasota Opera House continues work on building the set for our Winter Opera Festival presentation of Robert Ward's Pulitzer Prize winning opera, The Crucible, based on Arthur Miller's Tony Award winning play of the same name. The opera ushers in our ongoing American Classics Series, which will highlight great American works

Building a set is quite complicated. Here, the bedroom from Act 1, Scene 1 of this winter's production of The Crucible is nearly done. Once the "room" is completed (later today) it will be disassembled for painting!

Here, Jim Florek and Karle Murdock painting pieces of The Crucible set on the stage of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theater of the Sarasota Opera House.

The Building of the Set for The Crucible

2010-09-23T16:25:00.000-04:00

For the first time ever, the crew at Sarasota Opera is building a set for a mainstage opera, in-house! It takes a lot of room and time as well as many crew members to build a set, says our Director of Production, Jeff Ellis. When completed, this will be the set used in our Winter Festival production of Robert Ward's Pulitzer prize winning opera, The Crucible, based on Arthur Miller's Tony Award winning play of the same name. Here, on-stage, our painters apply a finish to several pieces of the set.

Below, is the "bedroom" - the walls have been put together (soon to be taken down) in our shop just to make sure it all works. Visit this blog occasionally to follow our progress with the set. Crew will be working on it regularly until we open our Fall Opera, La Cenerentola, Oct. 29. We'll resume construction after the Fall Season closes Nov. 10. Check back for more photos!

Get 'em while it's hot!

2010-08-18T16:02:00.005-04:00

Because of the high demand for tickets to our Fall production of La Cenerentola (Cinderella) and our 2011 Winter Opera Festival, we have decided to open our online sales early.
However, if you choose to buy your tickets in person or by phone, you'll have to wait until September 1 for the Fall Season and October 1 for the Winter Festival.
Get a jump on your fellow opera lovers and get your tickets while they are still available!
Subscriptions are now available at the Box Office, 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 or call (941) 366-8450, ext. 1

For single tickets go to: www.SarasotaOpera.org

Apprentice Artist Applications Due Soon!

2010-08-03T10:38:00.002-04:00

A reminder to Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artist hopefuls: applications are due by August 15.

Sarasota Opera will hold the annual auditions for its Apprentice Artists Program this fall in Chicago on Sept. 11, Sarasota on Sept. 13, and NYC on Sept 16-19 with callbacks on Sept. 20

The program seeks singers who are serious about having careers as soloists in opera and desire further development in their craft. Singers will be able to apply through www.yaptracker.com, an online audition manager for young artists and emerging professionals. There is no membership fee to use this service.

Come work for us!

2010-07-22T11:13:00.003-04:00

Want to be part of our Development Team? Are you organized? Detail oriented? A people person? A team player? You could be our new Development Assistant.

The Development Assistant is responsible for all administrative aspects of Development Department, assisting with the fulfillment of donor benefits and the managements of the remaining administrative functions related to the Opera's most recent Capital Campaign. The Development Assistant plays an important role by providing administrative support to the Development Office and participating in all fundraising activities including donor identification, cultivation and stewardship, direct mail appeals, and special events. This is a full-time position. Candidate must be available to work after hours during the Opera Seasons.
For the full job description, requirements and application information, visit:

http://www.sarasotaopera.org/employment/developmentassistant.aspx

Sarasota Opera Names New Marketing Director

2010-07-21T09:49:00.003-04:00

Michael Chang has joined our staff as Director of Marketing and Public Relations. He comes to Sarasota from New York where he was managing director for MC Art Strategies, a consultancy for nonprofit visual and performing arts institutions.
Michael was executive director for Downtown Music at Grace, a community concert series in White Plains, New York. As Executive Secretary of the Board of Directors for Maverick Concerts, a summer chamber music festival in Woodstock, New York, he served as marketing and publicity chair. For the last five years, he has been an adjunct instructor in the Arts Administration Certificate Program for New York University SCPS. Among the courses he taught are music and concert administration, public relations for the visual and performing arts, and performing arts management.
“I’m so pleased and excited to be joining the team of professionals at Sarasota Opera, an organization that has been on my radar for many years as a performer, an educator, an arts administrator, and most importantly, as an unabashed lover of great opera performance,” Mr. Chang says. “Sarasota Opera is considered a precious gem in the world of opera and performing arts. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues, and, of course, meeting the Sarasota community of opera lovers. Sarasota used to be a frequent stop on my holiday itinerary; now it’s going to be my home. What more can anyone ask?”

Are You Our Next Stage Management Intern?

2010-07-20T13:18:00.001-04:00

Sarasota Opera has an opening for a Stage Management Intern for the 2011 Winter Festival Season. Applicants should have strong music skills and be available for the entire production period. Local housing is provided; a car is not required but strongly recommended. Contract dates are Jan. 5 - March 25 and includes productions of La boheme and I Lombardi.Sarasota Opera produces four operas in rotating rep; additional information about the company can be found at sarasotaopera.org. To apply, please send a resume and 3 references to Jeff Ellis, Director of Production, at prodjobs@sarasotaopera.org.

Victor DeRenzi is Guest Narrator at Baltimore Concert Opera

2010-07-16T13:27:00.004-04:00

Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera, Victor DeRenzi, is making a guest appearance this weekend in Baltimore, Maryland. On Saturday, the Baltimore Concert Opera is presenting "The Verdi Baritone"as part of its special programming on one composer and one voice type. Since the Maestro is a renowned Verdi scholar, he was asked to narrate the concert. The baritone is also a Sarasota favorite - Jonathan Carle - who has sung principal roles here in Rigoletto, La rondine, Halka, La bohème, and Pagliacci. For those of you Verdi aficionados who might be in Baltimore this weekend, "The Verdi Baritone" will be performed at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in MICA's Brown Center.

Bringing the Inside - Out!

2010-07-14T10:55:00.007-04:00

The next time you're downtown, stop at our Box Office and take a look at our beautiful new window wraps, courtesy of the good folks at Sign Zoo. We've brought the inside out with some knock-out photos of the inside of our beautiful historic Opera House.
And while you're here, order your ticket subscription to the 2010-2011 season. The Box Office is in the Pavilion Building, which is adjacent to the Opera House at 61 N. Pineapple.

We've Cast Our Fall Opera - La Cenerentola

2010-07-02T10:34:00.006-04:00

We've completed casting our Fall Opera production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola (La Chen-eh-ren-to-la) or Cinderella, which will run from October 29 – November 10. This comic masterpiece was last presented by Sarasota Opera in 1969 when it was staged at the Historic Asolo Theater. These are the opera’s first performances at the Sarasota Opera House.

Mezzo-soprano Heather Johnson sings the role of Angelina (Cinderella). A favorite at Sarasota Opera for her performances as Hansel in last season’s Hansel and Gretel and as Beppe in the 2009 production of Mascagni’s L’amico Fritz. In this role she leaves behind the trousers she wore portraying these male characters and dons a dress for her first female character with the company. Other recent performances were Mozart’s Coronation Mass at Carnegie Hall and the same composer’s Requiem at Kennedy Center. She has also sung in Gordon’s contemporary opera Acquanetta at the New York City Opera VOX series and Musto’s The Inspector at Wolf Trap. This summer she reprises the role of Hansel for PORT Opera in Maine. Future engagements include performances with Boston Lyric and the National Arts Center orchestra in Ottawa, Canada.

Hak Soo Kim, a tenor, makes his Sarasota Opera debut in the role of Prince Ramiro. He recently completed his second year residence as a Domingo-Thornton Young Artist at Los Angeles Opera. Other companies with which he has performed are Opera Colorado and Santa Fe Opera, as well as appearances with Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Verdi Chorus (California), and the Monmouth Civic Chorus (New Jersey). Mr. Kim’s roles include creations by Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi: Conte Almaviva in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Don Narciso in Il turcio in Italia, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, Ernesto in Don Pasquale, Alfredo in La traviata, and Fenton in Falstaff.

Baritone Sean Anderson returns for the role of Dandini, the valet who disguises himself as his master, Prince Ramiro. Last season he received wide audience and critical acclaim for his portrayal of Papageno in Die Zauberflöte. Among the accolades he received were from the Sarasota Herald Tribune, “…Papageno, brilliantly hammed up by baritone Sean Anderson.” Mr. Anderson has previously performed at Sarasota Opera in Cosi fan tutte and Die Fledermaus.

Italian native Stefano de Peppo, bass-baritone, made his Sarasota Opera debut in the fall 2008 production of Il barbiere di Siviglia as the pompous Doctor Bartolo. In La Cenerentola, Stefano sings the role of Don Magnifico, the cash-starved stepfather of Angelina. His recent credits include Leporello in Don Giovanni at Finnish National Opera, the title role of Don Giovanni with Mozart Festival Opera, and the title role in Don Pasquale at both Opera North Carolina and Miami Lyric Opera. Among the countries in which Stefano has performed are Italy, Mexico, Spain, Colombia, Israel, Great Britain, Canada, and the Czech Republic.

Benjamin Gelfand, bass-baritone, makes his debut as a Sarasota Opera Principal Artist singing the role of wise tutor Alidoro. He has previously been an Apprentice Artist in 2006 and a Studio Artist in 2008, 2009, and 2010. A recipient of Sarasota Opera Guild's Leo M. Rogers Award and Bradenton Opera Guild's Helen Jepson Dellera Fellowship Award for a deserving Studio Artist, Ben last season performed the roles of Doctor Grenvil in La traviata and Talbot in Giovanna d'Arco. Since the conclusion of the 2010 season, he has performed in concert with the Evelyn Lear/Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C. In addition, he won third place at the Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition in the Wagner division and performed at its winners concert at Carnegie Hall.

Director is Stephanie Sundine, who last season directed Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci and was stage director for the Apprentice Artists. In the past she has also directed Tosca, Rigoletto, and Madama Butterfly for Sarasota Opera.

Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi will conduct the Sarasota Orchestra. This is the third year the two organizations have collaborated on a fall Sarasota Opera production.
Tickets for La Cenerentola are now available as part of a five-opera subscription package. Single tickets will go on sale in August.

Calling All Apprentice Artist Hopefuls!

2010-06-26T13:57:00.002-04:00

Sarasota Opera will hold the annual auditions for its Apprentice Artists Program this fall at the following locations:
∙ Chicago, September 11 – Nicholas Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago
∙ Sarasota, September 13 – Felding Recital Hall at the Sarasota Opera House
∙ New York City, September 16-19, with callbacks on September 20 – venue to be determined.
The program seeks singers who are serious about having careers as soloists in opera and desire further development in their craft. Applicants must exhibit career potential. The deadline for submission of applications is August 15, 2010.
Singers will be able to apply through www.yaptracker.com, an online audition manager for young artists and emerging professionals. There is no membership fee to use this service.
Our program is recognized as one of the finest in the country. Apprentice Artists will arrive in Sarasota on January 4, with the contract running from January 5 through March 25, 2011. Departure from Sarasota will be March 26. Applicants must be available to participate the entire time. Apprentices will receive $400 per week, housing, and roundtrip airfare to/from Sarasota. Apprentices perform in the chorus for Puccini’s La bohème and Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Verdi’s I Lombardi, and Ward's The Crucible. In addition to participating in the mainstage chorus, Apprentice Artists perform in concerts and outreach programs and receive music, dramatic, and language coachings. They may also have the opportunity to sing comprimario and to cover secondary roles in the mainstage operas. The program culminates with an Apprentice Artist Concert onstage in the Opera House.
Greg Trupiano, Artistic Administrator of Sarasota Opera, is available to answer questions about the program. He can be contacted by e-mail at gtrupiano@sarasotaopera.org or by telephone at (941) 366-8450, ext. 420.

Sarasota Opera Board Member Performs

2010-05-26T12:45:00.002-04:00

Sarasota Opera board member (and singer) Josh Benaim had a huge success singing the lead baritone role in a concert performance of Wolf-Ferrari's The Jewels of the Madonna Monday night at Lincoln Center.
The audience went crazy for him! And there was plenty of buzz about his performance during the intermissions. Next year, he will also be performing/covering the role of Marullo in 15 performances of Rigoletto at the Met. We are excited!

Sarasota Opera House Receives Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award

2010-05-17T14:11:00.007-04:00

Sarasota Opera has received The Florida Trust for Historic Preservation Award at the 32nd Annual Statewide Preservation Conference in Ft. Myers. The Opera was recognized for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Restoration/Rehabilitation for its $20-million renovation of the 1926 historic Opera House in 2008.

The application process was lengthy. Sarasota Opera was required to submit five letters of support from community members and groups, photos depicting the scope of the work that was done, as well as a two-page statement describing the motivation for the project, obstacles and challenges met, community involvement, project budget, and the site plan/description of the project.

In his letter, County Commissioner Joseph Barbetta called Sarasota Opera and its programs and facilities “cornerstones of the cultural life of the community,” while Don Smally, President of the Board of the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation, referred to the project as “an outstanding renovation.”

Sarasota Opera Executive Director Susan T. Danis praised those who participated in the project. “It is an honor indeed for the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation to award our beloved opera house its 2010 award for Outstanding Achievement in Rehabilitation and Restoration,” she said. “This project was truly a labor of love for so many and it certainly would not have been accomplished without the generosity of our opera patrons and the commitment of the Opera Board of Trustees, its Building Committee and Staff and the incredible group of architects, contractors, engineers and artisans that were assembled to make the renovation a reality.”

Preservation architect Killis Almond, who led the project, traveled to Ft. Myers to join staff members attending the award ceremony. “Recognition by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation is extremely gratifying,” he said. “To a preservationist like myself, I consider it the highest honor.”

The award was presented May 14 at ceremonies held at the Edison Park Elementary School in Ft. Myers and was followed by a reception at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates.

Your opera subscription could be free

2010-04-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

All subscription orders placed by May 1 will be automatically entered in a free drawing. The winner will get up to two subscriptions for free! Call (941) 366-8450, ext. 1 or visit the box office to place your order now. Subscription information (including a downloadable order form) can be found on our website at www.sarasotaopera.org.

The Arts Whisperer Previews Sarasota Opera's Winter Festival

2010-02-03T14:59:00.002-05:00

He'll take you through all the operas this season. Hope to see you there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1I4PuOxUQ&feature=player_embedded

Catch Our Spot on Comcast Cable TV

2010-01-27T14:46:00.002-05:00

A sampling of what we are offering during the 2010 Winter Opera Festival

http://www.facebook.com/#/video/video.php?v=1337545715556&ref=mf

Opening Night is Less than Two Weeks Away!

2010-01-25T13:22:00.003-05:00

Our Company has been busy rehearsing for the February 6 Opening Night performances of Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci by Mascagni and Leoncavallo respectively. Here is a preview of our principal singers in full costume and makeup. Performances run through March 21. Tickets are still available at the Box Office or online at www.sarasotaopera.org.

Cavalleria rusticana: Michael Corvino as Alfio, left, with Kara Shay Thomson as Santuzza

Cavalleria rusticana: Kara Shay Thomson as Santuzza.

Finally in Pagliacci: Gustavo Lòpez Manzitti as Canio. left, and Aundi Marie Moore as Nedda.

Were You There?

2010-01-19T15:05:00.004-05:00

Were you part of the 800 people of all ages who came out Sunday, January 17 for the free Open House at Sarasota Opera House? There were several performances, backstage tours, wig, makeup, and costume displays, food from area restaurants, ticket giveaways, special ticket deals - even activities for the youngsters. Hope you had a great time. We certainly did!

Marco Nisticò in the NY Times

2010-01-17T08:12:00.005-05:00

Sarasota Opera favorite Marco Nisticò is featured in the NY Times Arts & Leisure section today.

The article talks about his upcoming performances in Haydn's Il mondo della luna. In speculating who will deliver a star turn during the production the author says that "Marco Nisticò, the Buonafede, delivered a winning comic turn in the title role of Rossini’s “Signor Bruschino” with Gotham in 2007."

Sarasota Opera audiences certainly are aware of his ability to dominate the stage. He has performed roles as diverse as the aged Francesco Foscari in Verdi's I due Foscari, Rossini's ebullient Figaro in The Barber of Seville, the idealistic Rodrigue in Verdi's Don Carlos, and the stoic Germont in La traviata on our stage.

Marco Nisticò returns to Sarasota Opera in March as Joan of Arc's father Giacomo in Verdi's Giovanna d'Arco. There are six performances through March 20 and tickets are going quickly.

We are busy getting ready for season!

2010-01-14T16:07:00.000-05:00

Soprano Lindsay Ohse, who will play the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, is being fitted by Costume Designer Howard Tsvi Kaplan and staff. Fittings are currently taking place nonstop in our busy Costume Shop. It won't be long now. Our Winter Festival season opens on February 6 with Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci. Other offerings this season are The Magic Flute, Hansel and Gretel, and Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc).

The Singers Are Back

2010-01-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

With less than a month before Opening Night, Sarasota Opera House is abuzz with activity. Apprentice and Studio Artists as well as the cast of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci recently arrived in Sarasota. We celebrated their arrival with a Welcome Buffet, complete with delicious food provided and served by members of the Sarasota Opera Guild and a welcome cake! Currently, everyone is busy rehearsing. The season opens February 6, with the performance at 5 p.m., followed by the elegant Gala dinner/dance in a grand tent behind the Opera House.

Join the Fun at Open House on January 17!

2010-01-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

Bring the family and join the fun at our Winter Open House set for Sunday, January 17, from 1:30-3 p.m.

There will be something for everyone:
· Listen to opera, operetta, and musical theater selections, performed throughout the building and in the courtyard by artists from Sarasota Opera’s Winter Opera Festival and by the Youth Opera choruses.
· Meet the Director - Stephanie Sundine, director of Sarasota Opera’s productions of Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci will be on hand to talk about the upcoming production.

· Make-up demos and Costume displays - Wig and makeup designer Georgianna Eberhard and resident costume designer Howard Tsvi Kaplan will host demonstrations of their art.

· Children's activities in our Youth Opera Room

· Backstage tours

· Free refreshments - food from some of our local restaurants

· Free giveaways - special tickets offers - and a free gift to all attendees while they last!

Don't miss it! Sarasota Opera House is at 61 N. Pineapple Ave., downtown Sarasota.

Former Sarasota Opera Apprentice and Studio Artist at the Met

2009-12-23T10:19:00.000-05:00

Former Sarasota Opera Apprentice and Studio Artist Kathleen Kim was a huge hit in the Metropolitan Opera's new production of Les Contes d'Hoffmann. Anthony Tommasini in the NY Times praised her Olympia: "The role's high-flying runs and roulades require a true, agile coloratura soprano, and this production has one in the petite Kathleen Kim, who excelled in Olympia's showpiece aria, singing with pinpoint pitch, bright tone and impressive accuracy."

She can bee seen in the Encore HD Live Telecast on January 6. It will likely turn up on PBS sometime this winter as well.

Ms. Kim was a 2002 Sarasota Opera Apprentice Artist and a Studio Artist in 2005. She was the recipeint of the Sarasota Opera Guild's Leo M. Rogers Scholarship.

Divas & Dudes 5k, Saturday, November 14

2009-11-13T11:20:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow - Divas & Dudes 5K - Payne Park - 8 a.m. You can still sign up at the field starting at 7 a.m.! Proceeds benefit Sarasota Youth Opera.

Fall Apprentice Artists in Concert

2009-11-09T15:13:00.000-05:00

Our fabulous Fall Apprentice Artists will perform in concert Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m. at the Sarasota Opera House. These talented singers have been receiving rave reviews from concert goers this season. Tickets are $5 each. Get them while they're hot!

Sarasota Opera on WWSB ABC 7's Suncoast Scene

2009-10-29T10:12:00.000-04:00

Sarasota Opera's La traviata is Linda Carson's pick of the Week on the Suncoast Scene. Telephone number is incorrect, however. It should be 366-8450. Check out the link!

http://www.wwsb.tv/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4251841&h1=Event%20of%20the%20Week%20-%20Sarasota%20Opera%20performs%20%22La%20Traviata%22&vt1=v&at1=Station%206&d1=182733&LaunchPageAdTag=Station%206&activePane=info&rnd=63630726

2009-10-26T16:40:00.000-04:00

If you missed Sarasota Opera’s Thursdays at Four free Lobby Concert last week, you have two more opportunites to hear the company’s Apprentice Artists perform solos and ensembles from opera and operetta. The second performance is this Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. The third and final performance in the series is Nov. 5 at 4 p.m. All performances are in the Opera House’s Victoria Leopold Grand Atrium. This themed presentation is titled Walt Whitman: His Poetry and Music. American writer Walt Whitman was an opera buff and the creator of more than 400 poems. There are more musical settings of his texts than of any other American author. The program features selections from operas that Whitman saw and commented on, including Verdi’s I Lomdardi, von Weber’s Der Freischütz, and Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. Popular music of Whitman’s day, including music performed by the Hutchinson Family Singers (Whitman’s favorite singing group) and the Civil War song “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” is also of the program. In addition, numerous musical versions of Whitman’s poems will be heard. Limited seating is available.
Pictured here are tenor Bernard Holcombe, soprano Rebekah Diaz, and Roger Bingaman, Director of Sarasota Opera’s Apprentice Artist Program, at the Thursday, Oct. 22 free concert.

Seocnd photo, are soprano Carelle Flores Rebekah Diaz and Maestro Roger Bingaman, also at the Thursday, Oct. 22 free concert.

New Subscriber Day at Sarasota Opera

2009-10-15T16:09:00.000-04:00

New Sarasota Opera subscribers are treated to a private mini-concert and tours of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theater, backstage, and costume shop. Some of them even sampled the view from their subscription seats. Here Marketing Director Richard Russell shows patrons the set for Verdi's La traviata as well as the view from the stage. La traviata opens October 30 at 8 p.m.

Let the rehearsals begin!

2009-10-05T15:27:00.000-04:00

The singers are here. The director is here. The crew is here. And rehearsals for La traviata begin today! Don't miss it. Performances are October 30, November 3, 5, and 11 at 8 p.m. and November 1 and 8 at 1:30 p.m. Call 941-366-8450, ext. 1 for more info.

What's a Super? Want to be One?

2009-09-30T18:23:00.000-04:00

Supers, short for supernumeraries, are the non singing "extras" that Sarasota Opera uses in its productions. This upcoming winter season Sarasota Opera needs male and female supers to play the roles of couriers, nuns, soldiers, cardinals and priests. If you are interested in volunteering your time as a super, you should attend the Super Call, Thursday, October 29 at 1 p.m. (Gather in the Opera House Courtyard). Your attendance at the Call doesn't guarantee that you'll be a super. Directors of our productions will interview applicants and members of the costume shop staff will be taking measurements to see if they have a costume that will fit.
Being a super requires both day and night-time availability.
Sarasota Opera House is at 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. If you have any questions, call Sarasota Opera's Artistic Administrator, Greg Trupiano, at (941) 366-8450, ext. 420, or email him at gtrupiano@sarasotaopera.org

Free Performances Friday, October 2

2009-09-28T13:25:00.000-04:00

October is almost here - and in Sarasota that means Opera!
Singers, crew, and other members of our artistic staff are beginning to head back into town for our Fall Opera season.
Stop in at Galleria Silecchia, 20 S. Palm Avenue, downtown Sarasota, Friday evening, Oct. 2 during the Palm Avenue First Friday Walk.
Sarasota Opera artists Alissa Anderson and Evan Brummel will be performing at 7, 7:30 and 8 p.m. Listen to the music, peruse the art. It all makes for a joyous evening.
This is only the first of many performances during our fall season.
Hope to see you there.

Tosca - Sarasota Opera 2009

2009-08-30T00:38:00.000-04:00

A remembrance from the 2009 season with the fabulous Kara Shay Thomson as Tosca.

It's Enrollment time for Sarasota Youth Opera

2009-07-15T16:29:00.001-04:00

Do you or any young people you know like to sing? Anyone aged 8-18 may enroll now in Sarasota Youth Opera.
During the fall and winter, Youth Opera will perform in outreach concerts throughout the community as well as at Sarasota Opera. And this year, singers will be eligible to audition for 42 singing and 12 non-singing children’s roles in Sarasota Opera’s Winter Opera Festival. Last year twelve young singers performed in Tosca.
In May, all members of Sarasota Youth Opera will perform in a fully staged opera with orchestra, Judith Weir’s The Black Spider, on the stage of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theater in the Sarasota Opera House. Placement Classes are Aug. 26, 27, and 28. Those joining should attend.
Call (941) 366-8450, ext. 0 to enroll or for more information.

2010 Apprentice Program

2009-07-13T09:22:00.000-04:00

Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Sarasota Opera Apprentice Program. The year applications are being accepted through YAPTracker.

The 2010 Apprentice Program runs January 8 through March 21. In addition to serving as chorus for four of the five main stage operas (Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, The Magic Flute, and Giovanna d'Arco), Apprentices receive musical, dramatic, and language coaching, participate in master classes and have many performance opportunities. This year's program will culminate in a concert on the stage of the Sarasota Opera House, accompanied by full orchestra.

Deadline for applications is August 17.

Sarasota Opera and Sarasota Orchestra team up for free community music celebration

2009-01-10T00:22:00.000-05:00

Sarasota Opera and the Sarasota Orchestra have partnered in concerts in the past and last November for the production of The Barber of Seville but on January 18, they are joining together for a free community event. From 1 to 3 p.m. at the Opera House there will be live performances, demonstrations (including an instrument "petting zoo") and more.

The Sarasota Orchestra, singers from the Sarasota Opera 2009 Winter Opera Festival and the Sarasota Youth Opera will perform on the stage of the Sarasota Opera House, as well as outside in the adjacent courtyard.

Both organizations will be offering special ticket offers, a free ticket drawing, complimentary refreshments and a free gift to all who attend, while supplies last.

This afternoon celebration is suitable for families and is free. No tickets are required, only a willingness to come and enjoy yourselves.

I hope we see you there!

Rave Reviews

2008-11-09T09:01:00.000-05:00

Richard Storm in the Sarasota Herald Tribune calls Friday's opening night performance of The Barber of Seville "nearly flawless."

Read the whole review at the Herald Tribune site.

Tickets are going fast, so call (941) 366-8450, ext. 1 today to get yours. We are also happy that online ticket purchase is once again available at http://www.sarasotaopera.org.

Opening Night of Barber of Seville

2008-11-07T09:10:00.000-05:00

Tonight is the opening night for our first Fall Opera production: The Barber of Seville. There is a lot of great interest due to the fact that this is our 50th Season and the first time that the Sarasota Orchestra will be in the pit.

The Sarasota Herald Tribune came by the dress rehearsal and got a few more photos. They are now posted on their website.

WWSB-TV (ABC 7) was also by and Linda Carson featured the production on Suncoast Scene. There is some video on their site as well.

Grand Overture

2008-11-03T01:12:00.000-05:00

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, November 2, by Jay Handelman.
To the musical cry of “Figaro, Figaro, Fee-gah-roh,” the Sarasota Opera opens a new chapter in its history Friday night with its first full production staged in the fall.

Rehearsals Begin

2008-10-18T23:29:00.000-04:00

Everyone at Sarasota Opera is very excited for our first fall production. Rehearsals for The Barber of Sevile began on Monday. The principal artists are busy at work and the apprentices arrive tomorrow.

Here our Figaro, Marco Nisticò rehearses his duet with Rosina under the baton of Maestro DeRenzi (with assistant conductor Kristen Kemp at the piano. One of the perks of my job is the opportunity to peak in at rehearsals and I can tell you that what I heard yesterday got me very excited.

I hope that you're excited. If you haven't purchased your tickets, make sure that you do soon. Visit www.sarasotaopera.org for more information and call (941) 366-8450, ext. 1 for tickets.

Sarasota Opera "Open" House

2008-10-07T18:46:00.000-04:00

Do you know someone who has wandered by the Sarasota Opera House, wondered what was inside, but have never come in? Introduce them to the wonderful Sarasota Opera House by bringing them to the Sarasota Opera "Open" House on Monday, October 27 from 5 to 7 p.m.

This free event is the perfect way for the curious to visit the newly renovated historic theater. The building will be open with performances by artists participating in our fall season throughout the theater including the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard, the William G. and Marie Selby Lobby and of course on the stage of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre. The director of our first fall opera production The Barber of Seville William Gustafson will chat about the opera. The backstage area will be open for tours. And, oh yes, there will be complimentary refreshments. The first 1,000 attendees will also receive a free gift.

Let us know you are coming by emailing openhouse@sarasotaopera.org just so we know to have enough food (but if you forget, come anyway!).

Maestro on Florida Matters

2008-09-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

An interview with Maestro DeRenzi will be aired on WUSF-FM 89.7 as part of their continuing series Florida Matters.

Maestro DeRenzi talks about the upcoming season on this episode which airs on Friday evening Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday morning, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. You can also listen online at the WUSF website or subscribe to the Florida Matters podcast.

Good Luck Peter!

2008-09-18T14:35:00.000-04:00

Although my name has appeared on the side of this blog since its existence, the real person behind it has been Peter Hussell. Peter guided the renovation of the Sarasota Opera through its many phases including fundraising and construction. He lived with it day after day and as much as anyone deserved to take a bow on Opening Night. He labored tirelessly to make sure that everything went right.

And it was he, who took almost all of the pictures that you've seen here and updated you on the project's progress.

Peter has decided to move on to pursue other ventures. Since he'll still be in Sarasota we hope to see him around the Opera House and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. He will most certainly be missed by all of us.

Good luck Peter!

Thank You!

2008-05-20T13:10:00.000-04:00

More than anyone, all of you who come to the Opera and support our continued artistic excellence deserve a huge Thank You! The Sarasota Opera House is your opera house, and it is a tremendous legacy for all of us to pass on to future Sarasotans.

Grand Re-Opening Gala

2008-05-19T13:09:00.000-04:00

Joan Wood celebrates with the crowed at the Opening Night Gala.

Joel Fedder, Building Committee Chair, with Architect Killis Almond

Victor Passero, Ed Watts, Robin Cote, Clark Wright, and David Otterness of Willis Smith Construction with Executive Director Susan Danis.

Per-Erik Lindqvist, Wolfgang Berz, Alexandra Berz, Sandra Lindqvist.

Dr. Angelo Fatta, Virginia Toulmin, Dory Vanderhoof, Joan Wood.

Renovation Team

2008-05-18T13:08:00.000-04:00

Scott Merritt and Matthew Bower of the National City Private Client Group, welcome the audience to the newly renovated theater.

Marc Scorca, CEO of OPERA America, introduces the renovation team.

The Sarasota Opera Staff: Ken Kwiatkowski, Sarah Thomas, Ben Dick, Courtney Balok, Jeanne Smith, Jessica Plaut, Kyle Daniels, Melissa Lane, Rita Chamberlain, Patricia Horwell, Susan Ashcraft, Becky Taylor, Karl Hesser, and Richard Russell.

Subcontractor on the renovation.

Andy Dorr, George McGonagill, Jorge Rivera and Julius Davis of VoltAir Consulting Engineers, Greg Cahanin, Hank Lam, and Ken Garcia and Larry Fried of Abel Garcia Architects.

Chris Sprague and Todd Hensley of Schuler Shook Theater Planners and Carlos Rivera and Russ Cooper of Jaffe Holden Acoustics.

Dennis and Connie Towers of McKinley Griffen Design & Advertising (left) along with the decorative painting team from Dean Tippin Studios and Decorative Effects Inc. Lead by Martha Tippin and Susan Nilon (right)

Willis A. Smith Construction management team: Warren Simonds, Fred Cavaluzzi, John LaCivita, and David Sessions.

Willis A. Smith Construction field team: Victor Passero, Clark Wright, Ed Watts, Superintendant Robin Cote, and Project Manager David Otterness.

Project Architect: Killis Almond, FAIA of Killis Almond and Associates.

Sarasota Opera Executive Director, Susan T. Danis

Opening Night - March 1, 2008

2008-05-17T13:06:00.000-04:00

Patrons in the theater for the first time.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy

Victoria Leopold enjoys good company in the McCorkle Lounge.

Pat Hull, Alma Abshier, Dick Hull.

Opera House Ribbon Cutting

2008-05-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

The Opera House is wrapped with a large gold ribbon. With a few snips from donors representing the 1500 supporters of the project, audiences were welcomed into the theater.

Betsy Bagby

Victoria and Harry Leopold

Bill and Casiana Schmidt

Alisa and Ernie Kretzmer

Maestro Victor DeRenzi and Susan Danis address the crowd. Jerry Waterman and Virginia Toulmin look on.

Audiences entering the Opera House for the first time.

Preparing for the Big Night

2008-05-15T12:58:00.000-04:00

A few days ahead of March 1, 2008 a large tent is errected behind the Opera House. As the big night draws near, it is decked out for the post performance Gala.

Opera House - Ready to Go

2008-05-14T12:57:00.000-04:00

The Opera House, in a final quiet moment before the Re-Opening performance.

Rigoletto Rehearsal

2008-05-13T12:56:00.000-04:00

The orchestra rehearses with Maestro DeRenzi in the newly expanded pit. On stage is the set for Rigoletto.

First Notes

2008-05-12T12:55:00.000-04:00

To celebrate the re-opening, Opera supporters were welcomed to the theater by Susan Danis and Maestro DeRenzi for a 'First Notes' dinner followed by a dress rehearsal of 'Rigoletto'.

Va Pensiero

2008-05-11T12:54:00.000-04:00

Early in the rehearsal period for the 2008 season, all the singers gathered on stage. The singing of Verdi's 'Va Pensiero' has been a traditional event at the Opera House for many years. It was the closing piece performed at the final concert March 4, 2007 and it seemed only apropriate to re-christen the theater with it.

Naming the Theater

2008-05-10T12:52:00.000-04:00

LMS Signs puts up lettering in the Marie L. Hoffberg Lobby.

Starting from a template, LMS Signs sorts and mounts the letters for the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre on the wall.

Seat Install - Balcony

2008-05-09T10:51:00.000-04:00

As carpet is put down, the seat installers follow right on their heels.

Seat Install - Video

2008-05-08T10:48:00.000-04:00

The final sample seat produced by Irwin Seating.

The seat installation crew from Contract Solutions places all the arms for the seats first.

All the wood seat back are lined up in rows, ready for install.

Installers go up and down each row attaching seat backs.

As one crew works from the back of the theater, another moves from the front back.

Main Curtain and Surtitle Install

2008-05-07T16:46:00.000-04:00

A team from IWeiss installs the top section of the main curtain.

A team from Figaro Systems gets the Surtitle screen up and running.

The completed main curtain and surtitle screen.