National Endowment for the Arts Acting Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $80 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2019. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $20,000 to the Sarasota Youth Opera program to support its 2019 revival of Brundibár by Hans Krása.

Written before World War II, Brundibár was performed over 55 times in the Theresienstadt Jewish ghetto and is considered one of the most performed youth operas, receiving hundreds of performances each year around the globe. The allegorical tale has three heroes—a sparrow, a cat and a very wise dog—who help Annette and Little Joe raise the money needed to save their ailing mother, despite the evil organ grinder Brundibár. This production will incorporate a revised and enhanced prologue crafted by Sarasota Youth Opera music director Jesse Martins and stage director Martha Collins containing quotes from children throughout history, from the Holocaust to present day, that address the larger social message of Brundibár. The prologue also includes several “original musical selections” with music by Dvořák and Puccini set to the words of Malala Yousafzai and the Declaration of Independence.

This production will be presented November 15–16, with a school matinee performance on November 15^th in partnership with Embracing Our Differences. Tickets are currently available for purchase by 2019/20 Sarasota Opera subscribers. Single tickets will be available exclusively online August 1 and at the Sarasota Opera box office September 3.

Sarasota Opera