Sarasota Opera has announced its Board of Trustees leadership for the 2026-27 season, electing David Chaifetz as Chair and Syble DiGirolamo as Vice Chair.

Chaifetz previously served as Chair of the Board from 2014 through 2017 after joining the Board of Trustees in 2006 and serving as Vice Chair beginning in 2011. He and his wife Edith Chaifetz are Season Producers and supporters of the Sarasota Youth Opera and Education programs, and they will be honored at Sarasota Opera’s 2027 gala. Chaifetz’s return to the position begins a new chapter under Richard Russell’s leadership as General Director and Artistic Director.

DiGirolamo has been a Sarasota Opera trustee since 2004 and previously served as the board’s treasurer, vice chair, and chair from 2018 to 2021. She is also a past president of the Manatee Opera Guild.

Joseph Mallof continues as Treasurer and David Bialosky as Secretary. Carol English was named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of her service to the company.

Additional members of the Board of Trustees include J. Sumner Bagby, Katherine Benoit, Lynn Blackledge, Ulysses Brualdi, Thomas Garden, Alastair Hunter-Henderson, Tamara Jacobs, Rosanne Martorella, Sue Neumann, Steve Sabato, Art Siciliano, Toby Siegel, Janet Stern Solomon, John Suhre, Michal Wadsworth, and Donald J. Worthington.

Sherry Wheeler continues to serve as President of the Sarasota Opera Guild, and Elizabeth Aversa continues as President of the Manatee Opera Guild.

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