Sarasota Opera Announces 2013-2014 Season; Tickets on Sale, 8/1

Single tickets will go on sale exclusively ONLINE at www.sarasotaopera.org Thursday, August 1st, 2013 for Sarasota Opera's 2013-2014 Fall and Winter Season. Celebrating its 55th consecutive Season, Sarasota Opera continues its tradition of assembling international talent to perform a mixture of classic favorites paired with rarely performed works of artistic excellence in the beautiful historic Sarasota Opera House.

"This will be a season of celebration," says Richard Russell, Executive Director. "Not only will Sarasota Opera be marking the company's 55th consecutive season, we will be commemorating the anniversaries of the birth of three of opera's most significant composers through our programming; Wagner, Britten, and of course Verdi. We hope you will come and join in the festivities."

Four and Five opera subscriptions are currently available for purchase at the Sarasota Opera Box Office. Single Tickets will be available for purchase at the Box Office on Tuesday September 3rd.

Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss, Jr.

The fall 2013 season will open on November 1st with Johann Strauss, Jr.'s operetta Die Fledermaus last seen in Sarasota in 2006. As the plot unfolds, an elaborate scheme is hatched to expose the womanizing ways of the wealthy Eisenstein as he attempts to enjoy a night of frivolity at an elaborate Viennese ball before going to jail. Hidden identities and amorous intrigues mixed with a splash of mistaken identity make for a night of unwieldy delight in this charming story where champagne reigns as king!

Baritone Sean Anderson (Of Mice and Men, Otello) returns to reprise the role of the scheming Eisenstein and sopranoDanielle Walker (A King for a Day, Carmen) will sing the role of his wife Rosalinda. Rounding out the cast will be sopranoAngela Mortellaro (Hansel and Gretel) as Adele, Rosalinda's chambermaid; tenor Joshua Kohl (Lucia di Lammermoor, Don Giovanni) as Alfred, Rosalinda's former admirer; baritone Matthew Hanscom (Of Mice and Men, Turandot) as Dr. Falke, a.k.a "The Bat"; and mezzo-soprano Blythe Gaissert (Rigoletto, La rondine), as Prince Orlofsky, the evenings host in the opera.

Stephanie Sundine will direct and Maestro Victor DeRenzi will conduct. This production will be sung in English with a translation by Marcie Stapp. The opera will run for 6 performances from November 1 - 15, 2013.

The Little Sweep by Benjamin Britten

Following their triumphal sold-out performances of last season's world premiere of Little Nemo in Slumberland, the acclaimed Sarasota Youth Opera will present a full-scale production of Benjamin Britten's opera The Little Sweep. This production will be part of the worldwide celebration marking the centenary of the composer.

A group of children, with the help of a kind nursery maid, work to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master. This enchanting work, which was written to help introduce children to opera and will be sure to delight both children and adults alike, will be presented on November 9 and 10. The children principal roles and chorus will be performed by members of the Sarasota Youth Opera program. The adult roles will be performed by members of the Sarasota Opera Apprentice Program.

The production will be directed by Martha Collins and conducted by Maestro Jesse Martins.

2014 Winter Festival

Il trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi

Opening the 2014 Winter Opera Festival will be a new production of Giuseppe Verdi's hot-blooded drama Il trovatore onFebruary 8, 2014 designed by Scenic Designer Michael Schweikardt (Little Nemo in Slumberland, Vanessa). Not seen inSarasota since 1993 (Sarasota Opera performed the French version, Le Trouvère, in 2002), Il trovatore tells the story of a troubadour's quest for love, a soldier's lust, and a mother's undying thirst for vengeance. Il trovatore, which was premiered in 1853, features operatic favorites such as the famous "Anvil Chorus" and the valiant tenor cabaletta "Di quella pira."

Three rising stars of the opera world will make their Sarasota Opera debut in this production. Baritone David Pershall will debut as Count di Luna, the jealous commander of the Aragon troops. Mr. Pershall, who joined the roster of the Metropolitan Opera this past season, has also been heard with Dallas Opera, Virginia Opera, and the Opera Orchestra of New York. Mezzo-soprano Margaret Mezzacappa will debut as the vengeful Azucena. Ms. Mezzacappa, who was the Grand Prize winner at the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, performed this role in 2012 at Opera New Jersey under Maestro DeRenzi. Other engagements include appearances at Opera Philadelphia, Cleveland Opera, Carnegie Hall, and an upcoming debut at San Francisco Opera. Rounding out the cast will be tenor Kirk Dougherty also making his company debut, as the troubadour Manrico. Mr. Dougherty's recent performance of this same role was described as possessing "exquisite lyric and dramatic power."

Stephanie Sundine returns as stage director and Maestro Victor DeRenzi will conduct. The opera will perform for 10 performances from February 8 - March 22, 2014.

The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini

One of the most beloved comedic works in the operatic repertory, The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini will return to Sarasota Opera's stage on February 15th in a revival of the company's 2008 production. Determined to win the heart of the beautiful Rosina with charm and wit, rather than money, Count Almaviva enlists the help of Figaro, the barber of Seville, to steal her away from her guardian, Dr. Bartolo.

Baritone Marco Nisticò (Rigoletto, Madama Butterfly) whose recent performances at Sarasota Opera were followed by performances of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera, returns to sing the role of the scheming barber, Figaro.; tenor Hak Soo Kim (A King for a Day, Rigoletto) will return as Count Almaviva; and making her Sarasota Opera debut, mezzo-sopranoChrytal E. Williams, whose recent appearances include Glimmerglass Opera and the Aspen Music Festival, will sing Rosina.

Stage Director William Gustafson, who has directed past productions of The Barber of Seville as well as The Magic Flute andHansel and Gretel for Sarasota Opera, will return to direct. The opera will run for 9 performances from February 15 - March 21, 2014.

The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner

Legends of the sea come to life on March 1, 2014 as Sarasota Opera remounts its David P. Gordon production of The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner last seen in 2000. As the story goes, The Flying Dutchman tells the tale of a cursed sea captain forced to wander the world, ultimately finding redemption in the selfless gift of a woman's love. The unbridled weight and force of Wagner's work will enthrall audiences as they voyage through this mystical world.

Three noted Wagnerians return to the Sarasota Opera stage to bring Wagner's powerful music to life. Sarasota Opera favorite, bass Kevin Short (A King for a Day, I Lombardi) will sing the title role of the cursed Dutchman. Mr. Short recently performed this same role with Indianapolis Opera, the Stadttheater in Bern, Switzerland, and at the Split Summer Festival inCroatia. Tenor Michael Hendrick (Of Mice and Men, May Night) returns to sing the role of the huntsman Erik after his critically hailed performance as Lennie in last season's production of Of Mice and Men; and former Apprentice and Studio Artist, soprano Dara Hobbs, returns to make her role debut as Senta. Based in Europe since 2007, Ms. Hobbs is quickly establishing herself as a leading dramatic soprano with upcoming engagements at Opera Frankfurt, Bonn Opera, and the Bayreuther Festspiele, Wagner's own opera house.

Maestro David Neely (Of Mice and Men, Vanessa, The Crucible), a specialist of the German repertoire, will conduct. The opera will run for 7 performances from March 1 - March 23, 2014.

Jérusalem by Giuseppe Verdi

Finally, opening March 8, 2014, will be the Sarasota Opera debut of Verdi's Jérusalem, an epic tale of warriors, family rivalry, and jealousy that evolves into a story of forgiveness. Based on his earlier opera, I Lombardi alla prima crociata,Jérusalem, which was Verdi's introduction to Paris, abounds with rousing choruses, beautiful ensembles, and exciting arias. This production of Jérusalem will mark the 30th operatic installment of the Verdi Cycle and a rare operatic experience you won't want to miss.

Returning for his 10th season with Sarasota Opera, bass Young Bok Kim (Turandot, Rigoletto) will sing the role of Roger, the count's brother; soprano Danielle Walker (Un giorno di regno, Carmen) will sing Hélène, the Count's daughter; bassJeffrey Beruan (Madama Butterfly, I Lombardi alla prima crocciata) sings the Papal Legate; and baritone Matthew Hanscom (Of Mice and Men, Turandot) will sing the Count of Toulouse.

Popular Sarasota Opera stage director Martha Collins (A King for a Day, Little Nemo in Slumberland) will direct and MaestroVictor DeRenzi will conduct. The opera will run for 6 performances from March 8 - March 22, 2014.

Sarasota Opera Concert Series

In addition, Sarasota Opera will present four signature concerts designed to highlight great songs, arias and scenes beyond this season's repertoire.

On Tuesday, November 12, singers from the fall production of Die Fledermaus will present the Operetta Concert featuring some of operetta's most popular melodies with piano accompaniment.

On Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Sarasota Opera will explore the past and present of American opera and vocal music at theAmerican Opera Concert which will be performed by Sarasota Opera's Apprentice and Studio Artists. This concert will be performed with piano accompaniment.

On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, Sarasota Opera presents its annual Artists Choice Concert which has become a Sarasota Opera tradition! Principal and Studio Artists will perform their choice of the best of Opera and Broadway on the Sarasota Opera main stage. This concert will be performed with piano accompaniment.

Finally, bringing the 2014 Winter Season to a close will be The Verdi Concert on Sunday, March 23, 2014. With the end of the Verdi Cycle only three years away, The Verdi Concert is your chance to experience a mix of Verdi's well known, not so well known, and hidden musical gems. Featuring Sarasota Opera Soloists, Orchestra, and Chorus, this concert reaffirms the fact as to why Sarasota Opera is Verdi's American Home!

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Based in Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera is approaching its 53rd consecutive season. In 1960, the company began presenting chamber-sized repertoire in the historic 320-seat Asolo Theater on the grounds of Sarasota's Ringling Museum of Art. Recognizing the need for a theater more conducive to opera, the company purchased the former A.B.Edwards Theater in downtown Sarasota in 1979 and first performing in it in 1984 as the Sarasota Opera House. The theater has just undergone a $20-million renovation and rehabilitation enhancing audience amenities, while updating the technical facilities including increasing the size of the orchestra pit. The theater, which reopened in March 2008, has been called "one of America's finest venues for opera" by Musical America.

Since 1983 the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi. Since then the company has garnered international attention with its Masterwork Revivals Series, which presents neglected works of artistic merit, as well as the Verdi Cycle producing the complete works of Giuseppe Verdi. Recognizing the importance of training, Maestro DeRenzi founded the Apprentice Artist and Studio Artist programs. Sarasota Opera also maintains a commitment to education through its Invitation to Opera performances for local schools and the unique Sarasota Youth Opera program.

The 2013 Fall Season will feature Johann Strauss, Jr,'s Die Fledermaus followed by the Sarasota Youth Opera production of Britten's The Little Sweep. The 2014 Winter Festival will include Verdi's Il trovatore, Rossini's The Barber of Seville, Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, and Verdi's Jérusalem. Subscriptions for the 2013-2014 Season are now on sale by calling(941) 328-1300 or visiting the Sarasota Opera Box Office. Single tickets will go on sale August 1st online (www.sarasotaopera.org) and September 3rd in the box office.

Sarasota Opera is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are supported in part by an award the Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Additional funding is provided by the City of Sarasota and the County of Sarasota.

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