Sarasota Opera House opening night

On Saturday, February 8, Sarasota Opera opened the 2020 Winter Opera Festival with a festive brass fanfare played from the outside balcony of the Opera House, followed by the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the completion of the Verdi Cycle. Upon conclusion of the cycle in 2016, Sarasota Opera became the only opera company in the world to present all of Verdi’s works. Executive Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi officiated over the unveiling of the plaque, which was followed by the announcement of a “Friendship Pact” between the City of Sarasota and Busseto, Italy—Giuseppe Verdi’s hometown, by Toni Duval, president of the Sister Cities Association of Sarasota. Following the ceremony, Giacomo Puccini’s timeless and beloved La bohème was performed to a sold-out audience. The Winter Opera Festival continues with performances of Gounod’s Romeo & Juliet (opening February 15), Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love (opening February 22), and Catalani’s La Wally, (opening March 7) with performances through March 22. For more information, visit SarasotaOpera.org, call (941) 328-1300, or visit the box office at 61 North Pineapple Ave., Sarasota.

Sarasota Opera House opening night

For more information on Sarasota Opera House and upcoming calendar of events