Sarasota Opera has announced the young artists who will be part of its 2022 Saratoga Opera Apprentice Artists program. The 2022 participants include sopranos Ariel Andrew, Tori Franklin, Jardena Gertler-Jaffe, Sara Kennedy, Ashlee Lamar, Abigail Raiford, and Julia Wolcott; mezzo-sopranos Ashlyn Brown, SarahAnn Duffy, Kaylee Nichols, Victoria Thomasch, and Zara Zemmels; tenors Pedro Valdez Espinoza, Nicholas Hudak, James Mancuso, Samuel {…}
The Sarasota Opera is set to present Puccini’s “Tosca.” The production by Stephanie Sundine is set to star Ann Toomey in the title role, Ben Gulley as Cavaradossi, and Stephen Gaertner as Scarpia. The cast will be rounded out by Stefano de Peppo, Michael Colman, David Weigel, Levi Hamlin, and Ivan Conrad. The second cast of leads, starring Caitin Crabill {…}
Sarasota Opera has announced that Melissa Voigt will return to the company as their Senior Development Officer. Voigt previously joined the company in 2000, as Individual Giving Officer, and became Director of Development in 2002. During her time with the company, she spearheaded the $20 million capital campaign for the renovation of the historic Sarasota Opera House. Voigt left the {…}
On November 7, 2021, Sarasota Opera and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi was honored with the One World Award from the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota at a gala event. Maestro DeRenzi was recognized for “enhancing peace, understanding, and respect among citizens of the world through his extraordinary achievements.” He is the only conductor to have performed all the works of {…}
This fall, Classical WSMR has announced that it will broadcast several older productions by Sarasota Opera. The company will kick off the streams with a 2021 production of Verdi’s “Otello” on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. The opera stars Rafael Dávila and Maria D’Amata. That recording will be followed by D’Albert’s “Tiefland” from 2018 on Oct. 30; the opera stars Kara {…}
Sarasota arts organizations have announced new indoor safety measures ahead of the 2021-22 season. Per a press release, “an increasing number of patrons and artists are extremely uncomfortable participating without strong health and safety protocols in place… in response to this situation and the current high community spread of the COVID-19 virus, leaders have been sharing experiences and research from {…}
Opera Sarasota in Florida has announced that Martha Collins has been appointed to the position of Director of Education. In her new role, Collins will be at the forefront of Sarasota Opera’s Youth Opera and Adult Education programs and community engagement efforts. “I am excited to take on an expanded role in passing on this art form that I love {…}
The Sarasota Opera has announced its 2021-22 season featuring five masterworks from the Italian and French repertoire. Fall Season Rossini’s rarely performed gem “La Scala di Seta” will open the season. Performance Dates: Oct. 29-Nov. 13, 2021 Winter Season The first production of the winter will be Puccini’s beloved “Tosca” in the company’s classic production. Ann Toomey and Ben Gulley {…}
(Credit: Matthew Holler) Richard Russell has been appointed General Director of Sarasota Opera through the 2025-2026 season. “We are delighted that Mr. Russell will continue in his leadership role, for the next five years, as we face the challenges of the post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery and our return to full-capacity programming,” said Syble Digirolamo, the President of the Sarasota Opera Board {…}
Sarasota Opera has announced that Stephen Baker will take over as Director of Marketing. Baker’s career includes a stint as Director of Marketing and Audience Development for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall as well as Associate Marketing Director of Carnegie Hall. He also worked with the Minnesota Orchestra as Vice President of Marketing and Audience Services and was Associate {…}
Sarasota Opera has released the full list of artists participating in “Sarasota Opera: A Celebration,” a virtual celebration of the Sarasota Opera community set to take place on April 23, 2021. The performance will feature soprano Michelle Johnson and tenor Matthew Vickers as well as mezzo-soprano Lisa Chavez, bass-baritone Stefano De Peppo, and the Sarasota Opera Strong Quartet. Johnson performed {…}