New Slate of Officers Announced for Sarasota Opera's Board of Directors

Sarasota Opera announced a new slate of officers and the appointment of a new board member at their annual meeting on May 1, 2017.

Murray Bring was nominated and elected to serve as Board Chair replacing David Chaifetz who served from 2015-2017. Other officers include Syble Di Girolamo who will serve as Vice Chair, Waldron Kraemer who will serve as Treasurer, and Janet Huelster who will serve as Secretary.

"I am deeply honored to have been elected Board Chair by the Opera's Board of Trustees," says Mr. Bring. "I and the rest of the Board look forward to working with and supporting Maestro Victor DeRenzi, Executive Director Richard Russell, and their talented Staffs as they continue to bring world-class opera to Sarasota."

The membership also approved the addition of Michal Wadsworth to the board.

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Based on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera recently completed its internationally acclaimed Verdi Cycle making it the only company in the world to have performed every work of Giuseppe Verdi.

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 and administrative leadership of Executive Director Richard Russell since 2012. 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.

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.

Photo courtesy of Sarasota Opera

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