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 {…}
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, {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
(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 {…}
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 {…}
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 {…}
Sarasota Opera has received a $30,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The grant aims to support the company’s Education Programs as well as to help fund a special benefit event. “This generous support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County helps Sarasota Opera continue its mission to inspire and educate through the power of opera,” said Richard {…}
Sarasota Opera will celebrate Verdi’s birthday with a screening of “VIVA VERDI!” On Oct. 10, 2025. The film, which was filmed in Milan and premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in Milan, Italy, was directed by Yvonne Russo and produced by Christine La Monte and Ron Simons. The film explores the lives of opera singers and musicians living out their {…}
Sarasota Opera has received a $60,000 Empowering Arts Grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant will support the company’s programming and operations during the 2025-26 season. “Sarasota Opera is a cornerstone of our region’s cultural identity,” said Kelly Borgia, Director of Brand Engagement at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, per an official press release. “Through this grant, we’re proud {…}
Sarasota Opera has made announcements regarding its board leadership. The company revealed that Arthur Siciliano has been re-elected Chair of the Board of Trustees and that Katherine Benoit has been re-elected Vice Chair of the Board. Moreover, Lynn Blackedge will join as a new trustee. Additionally, Joseph Mallof, who has worked as CEO of World Kitchen LLC, has been elected {…}