Rave Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!