Karita Mattila, Lisa Chavez, Virginia Mims & Mary Evelyn Hangley Lead Sarasota Opera’s 2026-27 Season

https://operawire.com/karita-mattila-lisa-chavez-virginia-mims-mary-evelyn-hangley-lead-sarasota-operas-2026-27-season/

The Sarasota Opera has announced its 2026-27 season. Here is a look: Fall 2026 The season opens with Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel” with Kerrigan Bigelow as Gretel, alongside returning Lisa Chavez as the Witch, and Lindsey Polcyn as Gertrude. Spencer Reichman will make his company debut as the Father. Anthony Barrese conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 30-Nov. 14, 2026 Winter 2027 {…}

News

Raquel Gonzàlez Leads Sarasota Opera’s ‘The Merry Widow’

https://operawire.com/raquel-gonzalez-leads-sarasota-operas-the-merry-widow/

Sarasota Opera is to present Franz Lehár’s “The Merry Widow.” The operetta, which will be presented between Feb. 21 and March 27, will feature Raquel Gonzàlez in the role of Hanna Glawari, Jake Stamatis as Count Danilo, Sara Kennedy as Valencienne, and Patrick Bessenbacher as Camille. The production will be conducted by Anthony Barrese and directed by Katherine M. Carter Patrons {…}

News

Sarasota Opera to Celebrate 100 Years of the Sarasota Opera House

https://operawire.com/sarasota-opera-to-celebrate-100-years-of-the-sarasota-opera-house/

Sarasota Opera is set to celebrate 100 years of the Sarasota Opera House with two special days of celebration. The historic occasion will include a Centennial Concert at the Opera House on April 11, and a Community Open House on April 12, as well as special documentary and book projects. The April 11 gala will pay tribute to the theater’s {…}

News

Ashley Milanese Leads Sarasota Opera’s ‘La Bohème’

https://operawire.com/ashley-milanese-leads-sarasota-operas-la-boheme/

Sarasota Opera will open its 2026 Winter Festival with Puccini’s “La Bohème.” The opera will open on Feb. 14 at the Sarasota Opera House and will run through March 28, 2026. The cast will include Ashley Milanese as Mimì, WooYoung Yoon as Rodolfo, Virginia Mims as Musetta, Filippo Fontana as Marcello, Young Bok Kim as Colline, Brian Kontes as Benoit, {…}

News

Victor DeRenzi to Step Down From Historic Position at Sarasota Opera

https://operawire.com/victor-derenzi-to-step-down-from-historic-position-at-sarasota-opera/

Sarasota Opera has announced that Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Victor DeRenzi will step down at the end of his contract in May 2026, concluding a 44-year tenure that ranks as the longest of any artistic director in the world. DeRenzi, who joined the company in 1982, led the company through its Verdi Cycle, which marked the only time an {…}

News

Sarasota Opera to Honor Don & Rachael Worthington at Annual Gala

https://operawire.com/sarasota-opera-to-honor-don-rachael-worthington-at-annual-gala/

Sarasota Opera will honor Don and Rachael Worthington at its annual Gala, themed “Winter in Paris,” on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, at The Ora Ballroom in Sarasota. Don Worthington has been a member of Sarasota Opera’s Board of Trustees since 2010 and has served as Chair from 2012 to 2014. Under his leadership, the company launched its “Investing in the {…}

News

DaCapo Society of Sarasota Opera and Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery Team Up for Halloween-Themed Opening Night

https://operawire.com/dacapo-society-of-sarasota-opera-and-palm-avenue-fine-art-gallery-team-up-for-halloween-themed-opening-night/

(Photo credit: Rod Millington) The DaCapo Society of Sarasota Opera and Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery will join forces to present a Halloween-themed opening night celebration for the 2025-26 opera season on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. The showcase begins at Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery (10 South Palm Avenue) at 5:30 p.m. with a curated wine selection, hors d’oeuvres, and {…}

Behind the Scenes, Interviews

Q & A: Conductor Victor DeRenzi on 44 Years at Sarasota Opera

https://operawire.com/q-a-conductor-victor-derenzi-on-44-years-at-sarasota-opera/

For 44 years, Victor DeRenzi has maintained his position at the helm of Sarasota Opera as its Artistic Director. During that time he has led over 900 opera performances. Among his major accomplishments with the company is a Verdi cycle that he initiated in 1989 and completed in 2016 with the aim to perform all of Verdi’s music. He also {…}

News

Sarasota Opera Launches Car Raffle in Partnership with Lexus

https://operawire.com/sarasota-opera-launches-car-raffle-in-partnership-with-lexus/

Sarasota Opera has launched a 2026 car raffle in partnership with Lexus of Sarasota. The winner of the raffle will get a chance to choose between a 2026 Lexus GX and a $50,000 cash prize. “This raffle is more than a chance to win an incredible prize—it’s a fun way to support Sarasota Opera and invest in the cultural vitality {…}

193 search results for…

Karita Mattila, Lisa Chavez, Virginia Mims & Mary Evelyn Hangley Lead Sarasota Opera’s 2026-27 Season

Raquel Gonzàlez Leads Sarasota Opera’s ‘The Merry Widow’

Sarasota Opera to Celebrate 100 Years of the Sarasota Opera House

Ashley Milanese Leads Sarasota Opera’s ‘La Bohème’

Victor DeRenzi to Step Down From Historic Position at Sarasota Opera

Sarasota Opera to Honor Don & Rachael Worthington at Annual Gala

DaCapo Society of Sarasota Opera and Palm Avenue Fine Art Gallery Team Up for Halloween-Themed Opening Night

Q & A: Conductor Victor DeRenzi on 44 Years at Sarasota Opera

Sarasota Opera Launches Car Raffle in Partnership with Lexus