Sarasota Opera Association, Inc.

Overview

The Sarasota Opera Association, Inc., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing outstanding opera performances. Founded in 1961 as the Asolo Opera Guild, the company underwent a name change in 1983. Its mission is to entertain, enrich, educate, and inspire a broad audience with true-to-the-composer opera productions, focusing on fostering public knowledge and appreciation of opera and related performing arts.

History

The organization began by presenting visiting company productions at the Asolo Theater on the grounds of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. By 1974, it started mounting its own productions. In 1979, the Guild purchased the historic A.B. Edwards Theatre (later renamed the Sarasota Opera House) and began renovations to restore it as a viable operatic venue. The theater reopened in 1984 with Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin, marking the beginning of Sarasota Opera's permanent productions there.

Programs and Productions

• Winter Opera Festival: Typically held in February and March, this festival features four fully staged operas with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra.
• Verdi Cycle: The company is known for its long-running "Verdi Cycle," aiming to perform all Verdi operas.
• Masterworks Revival Series: This series focuses on presenting neglected works of artistic merit.
• Sarasota Youth Opera: Established in 1984, it is one of the most comprehensive youth opera programs in the U.S., offering training and performance opportunities for young people aged 8 to 18.

Leadership and Education

Under the artistic direction of Victor DeRenzi since 1983, the organization emphasizes education through performances for local schools and its youth programs. The company also operates the Apprentice Artist and Studio Artist programs to support emerging artists.

Venue: Sarasota Opera House

The Sarasota Opera House, located at 61 North Pineapple Avenue in Sarasota, Florida, is a historic building originally designed by Roy A. Benjamin in the Mediterranean Revival style. It opened in 1926 as the A.B. Edwards Theatre, serving as a vaudeville and movie venue before its acquisition by the Sarasota Opera in 1979. The Opera House was renovated extensively between 2007 and 2008, resulting in a state-of-the-art 1,119-seat venue.

Financial Overview

As a nonprofit, Sarasota Opera relies on public support and donations. The organization's financial operations are overseen by its board and are audited annually to ensure transparency and accountability.