Sarasota Opera 2024 Fall Program Book

Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director

Richard Russell, General Director

2024 FALL SEASON

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

Hobbit

WILLIAM E. SCHMIDT OPERA THEATRE

WHERE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY CONVERGE

Marge Melun and Ky Thompson retired from notable careers in public service. Ky served 25 years as an officer in the Marine Corps, Marge as a librarian in the Library of Congress, then in the public affairs branch of the State Department. Stationed abroad, their love for opera resurfaced. “We went to a lot of opera in Italy and Eastern Europe in charming, smaller houses,” says Marge. “But we find the performances here are equal to—and often exceed—those smaller European performances. We are very happy to support our Sarasota community.”

“It’s a wonderful community.”

Their move to Plymouth Harbor echoed their feelings about the Opera. Ky loves the exercise classes and Marge chairs the library committee. “There is so much going on here on any day, it’s tough to choose what you’re going to do.”

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Welcome

TO SARASOTA OPERA AND THE WILLIAM E. SCHMIDT OPERA THEATRE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

VICTOR DERENZI, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

RICHARD RUSSELL, GENERAL DIRECTOR

We are glad you have chosen to enjoy a live opera performance at Sarasota Opera. Here are some tips to make you feel at home in our theater, and to ensure you have the best possible experience.

• English translations are shown above the stage so you can follow along, even when the opera is in a foreign language.

• No special preparation is necessary when you come to the opera. This program book will provide you with all the information about our productions, including a full cast list, program notes, etc. You can also check our website, SarasotaOpera.org, for further information.

• To ensure an enjoyable experience for you and other audience members, cell phones and electronic devices that make any kind of sound or emit light must be turned off while you are in the theater. Phone conversations, texting, and audio and video recording are not permitted. Leaving the real world behind for a while and enjoying the beauty of opera will do you a world of good!

• If you are late, you can watch and listen to a live stream of the performance in the William G. and Marie Selby Lobby on the second floor. You will be seated in the theater at the first available opportunity.

• For your convenience, the Box Office is open before all Sarasota Opera performances. Visit the kiosk in the lobby to purchase tickets for any performance or call (941) 328-1300.

• Found articles should be turned in to the House Manager. Lost items may be claimed from the Sarasota Opera Box Office at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• Sarasota Opera is equipped with hearing loop technology. Patrons who need auditory assistance but do not have hearing aids or implants may pick up hearing devices in the main lobby. For patrons who require visual assistance, binoculars are also available. A driver’s license or another form of identification is required to check out an assistance device.

© SARASOTA OPERA ASSOCIATION, INC.

61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236 (941) 366-8450 www.SarasotaOpera.org

Box Office: (941) 328-1300

Board of Trustees

Sarasota Opera Staff

Artistic and General Director Message

Signature Events 2024-2025

2025 Winter Opera Festival

40th Anniversary of Sarasota Youth Opera

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

Verdi and Sarasota Opera

The Hobbit

Cast

Synopsis

Background  Artists

Youth Opera Chorus

Sarasota Orchestra

Raise Your Voice

Leadership Giving

STARs

The Artistic Achievement Fund

Youth Opera and Education Fund

Kretzmer Legacy Society

Endowment and Legacy Gifts

Corporate, Foundation and Public Support

The Pavilion Project

Program Design: Darcy Kelly-Laviolette

Program Book Editor: Richard Russell

Ad Sales: Sarasota Media Company

Published by: Sarasota Media Company

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Officers

CHAIR

Arthur Siciliano

VICE CHAIR

Katherine Benoit

TREASURER

Ron Archbold

SECRETARY

Steve Sabato

J. Sumner Bagby

David Bialosky

Ulysses Brualdi

David Chaifetz

Paul DeLauro

Syble DiGirolamo

Carol English

Trustees Guilds

Rosanne Martorella

Mary J. Mitchell

Sue Neumann

Toby Siegel

Janet Stern Solomon

Susan K. Straus

John Suhre

Alastair Hunter-Henderson

Tamara Jacobs

Joseph Mallof

Bill Tompkins

Michal Wadsworth

Donald J. Worthington

Edward Bavaria

Murray Bring

Legal Counsel Emeritus Trustees

SARASOTA OPERA GUILD

Patricia Dodge

MANATEE OPERA GUILD

Richard DeGennaro

Jeff Troiano

Jennifer Feinstein, Corey Crider, Danielle Walker, and Hak Soo Kim in the finale of Verdi's Un giorno di regno (2013 production).

Photo by Rod Millington.

RICHARD RUSSELL

General Director

Susan Ashcraft

Special Consultant to the General Director

Nancy J. Guyer Executive Assistant to the General Director

ADMINISTRATION

Irek Sipowicz-Hicks

Katherine Orenic Administrative Assistants

DEVELOPMENT

Melissa M. Voigt Director of Development

Karen Misantone Senior Development Officer

OPERA STAFF

Administrative Staff

Stacy Ridenour Donor Relations Officer

Brenda Tamm Patron Giving and Operations Manager

Davis Wolfe Patron Giving Associate

EDUCATION

Martha Collins Director of Education

Cameron Maxwell Youth Opera Coordinator

FINANCE

Kenneth Tarasi Director of Finance

John Young Accounts Receivable/ Payables/Payroll Manager

MARKETING

Lael A. Mohib

Director of Marketing

Travis Rogers Manager of Patron Services

Olivia Baylou Marketing Coordinator

David Sorrells

Box Office Supervisor

Christina Brown, Ashley Erickson-Spetsios, Kary Erickson,

Maureen Martin Patron Services Representatives

FACILITIES OPERATIONS

Jeremie Guglielmi Director of Theater Operations

Artistic Staff

VICTOR DERENZI

Artistic Director

Marco Nisticò

Artistic Administrator

Diana Dizon Company Manager

Jessé Martins Youth Opera Music Director and Music Administrator

Technical Staff

Scott Keclik Director of Production

Larisa Yeazell Associate Technical Director

COSTUMES AND WARDROBE

Howard Tsvi Kaplan

Resident Costume Designer

Zachary Payne

Assistant to the Costume Designer

Merritt Tilson Costume Administrator

Coleen Metzger Head Draper

Kayla Bryan, Kim Copeland, Scarlett Kellum, Kay Torralva, Barbara Wechsler First Hands/Stitchers

Ruth Clark Head Wardrobe

Lili Cristiani Assistant Head Wardrobe

Cindy Wells Dresser

LIGHTING

Ken Yunker

Resident Lighting Designer

STAGE MANAGEMENT

Francesca MacBeth Production Stage Manager

Rachel Kilgore, Emily Stafford Assistant Stage Managers

HAIR AND MAKE-UP

Sue Schaefer

Hair and Make-up Designer

Joel Schaeffer Hair and Make-up Assistant

Valentine Barneycastle, Dominique Freeman, Frances Lordan Hair and Make-up Staff

CARPENTRY

Earl “Dixie” Schmidt Head Carpenter

Secundino Esqueda Assistant Head Carpenter

Zach Altman, Armando Cristiani Carpenters

Alex Wallenda Flyman

Jill Sherman

Theater Operations Manager

Jo Ann Whitehead House Manager/ Volunteer Coordinator

Eden Francois House Engineer

Bob Schoenung Maintenance Technician

Mary Thompson, Martin and Svetlana Stofko Facilities Service Staff

ELECTRICS

Michael Pasquini Head Electrician

Alex Wood Assistant Head Electrician

Hudson Dickinson Electrician

AUDIO

Joseph Reynolds Head Audio

Sean Robinson Audio Crew

PROPERTIES

Alexandria Flynn Props Coordinator

Joshua Linderman Props Head

Heath Hubler Props Crew

AAs they say, “the best laid plans…” A three-storm hurricane season caused a great amount of disruption and damage to the west coast of Florida. Our thoughts are with those among our community (including our donors and staff) who suffered serious damage.

Nevertheless, our nearly century-old Sarasota Opera House came through the storms without any problems. And while the Deane Carroll Allyn Pavilion did have some significant roof and water damage, within a few days repairs were begun on the Pavilion roof, we were able restart rehearsals for our Sarasota Youth Opera production of The Hobbit™, and our Resident Artists were back in schools and in the community performing for appreciative audiences. Across Sarasota arts groups were back performing within days, (unfortunately except the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall) and gradually life is returning to normal for most of us.

Such resiliency is a testament to the strength of Sarasota. It shows how much our audiences are longing for the experience of live performances and how well-equipped and strong our arts organizations are.

And so, we can continue our “best laid plans” of celebrating the 40th year of our Sarasota Youth Opera program with a production of Dean Burry’s version of The Hobbit™. This charming work is extraordinarily popular with our Youth Opera singers and helps us mark not only this milestone anniversary, but the return of the program to its pre-pandemic enrollment. The young people will join the several thousand before them, who had an operatic experience unlike any in the country: taking part in the life of our opera company, with learning and performance opportunities year-round. We take considerable pride in having made an impact in the lives of so many over the years.

We also have the opportunity to celebrate Italy’s greatest composer in a concert of The Music of Giuseppe Verdi. As the only opera company to have performed all of his available music, this lets us revisit some of his most popular operas in a concert designed for everyone to enjoy.

In addition to these public performances, you may not be aware that our Fall Resident Artists have been busy singing in schools and visiting community groups. We had arranged to perform in 35 schools, reaching several thousand students

and while some of these performances had to be postponed due to the storm season, most were eager to continue and find alternative dates.

Despite the challenges that we face from time to time, we are happy that so many are eager for us to be here for them, in multiple ways. We are also proud that we can bring opera to audiences in Sarasota and beyond and continue our mission of serving our community.

RICHARD RUSSELL General Director

VICTOR DeRENZI Artistic Director

Photo by Matt Holler.

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Visit SarasotaOpera.org/Events to learn more and purchase tickets.

Sarasota Opera patrons have many options for gathering to celebrate and support our season, as well as to connect with others in the community. Whether you choose an intimate or grand event, we hope you will consider joining us for any of these very special occasions.

THE SARASOTA OPERA GALA A MASKED BALL: CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA

Our generous sponsors of these events are recognized on the Corporate, Foundation, & Public Support pages.

Sat, Feb 3, 2024 | Ritz Carlton Hotel Grand Ballroom 6:00 pm Reception | 7:00 pm Program | 7:30 pm Dinner

MOONLIGHT & MELODIES DINNERS

Intimate fine dining experiences in the Sarasota Opera House Courtyard.

Dinner with Verdi in Parma

Friday, November 16, 2024, 6:30 PM

Sarasota Opera House Courtyard

$225 Per Person/Limited Seating

Celebrate the beginning of the Winter Opera Festival with the Sarasota Opera community in a Venetian Carnival where food, drink, and masked merriment take over the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. This is your chance to make a fashion-forward statement or don your favorite costume...just remember to add a fabulous mask! Proceeds support Youth Opera & Education programs and the 2024 Winter Opera Festival!

Mozart’s Viennese Feast

Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30 PM

Sarasota Opera House Courtyard

$225 Per Person/Limited Seating

Tables range from $3,500 to $12,500 and individual tickets range from $350 to $1,250.

THE SARASOTA OPERA GALA: A NIGHT IN SEVILLE

Honoring Les and Carol Brualdi

Co-Chairs Tamara Jacobs and Edie Chaifetz

SALUTE TO THE STARS AWARD LUNCHEON

| Sarasota Yacht Club

11:30 am | Tickets: $85 or $150 per person

Take a special journey to Seville in this season's opening Gala! Be immersed in Spain's beauty, culture, and vibe with all the splendor of the region’s cuisine, wine, and flamenco music. A black-tie affair with spice and flair, prepare yourself for a night of great celebration and stunning décor. Sarasota Youth Opera, celebrating its 40th  anniversary, will be spotlighted as we honor dedicated supporters, Les and Carol Brualdi. All proceeds from the Gala will be directed to Youth Opera & Education programs.

Friday, January 31, 2025, Reception at 6 PM

On stage a singer’s voice is commanding. Imagine how you will feel hearing it just feet away from your table. Join us and celebrate the outstanding Sarasota Opera Apprentice and Studio Artists who will be honored in 2024. Enjoy a gourmet lunch while you experience performances by the awardees. The awards are presented through the generosity of visionary individuals as well as the Sarasota and Manatee Opera Guilds.

The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota | Grand Ballroom Per Person and Sponsorship Levels

SALUTE TO THE STARS

Be surrounded by the celebration and sounds of Sarasota Opera's most outstanding Apprentice and Studio Artists being honored. Enjoy a gourmet lunch with new and old friends and performances by the awardees. Awards are presented through the generosity of visionary individuals as well as the Sarasota and Manatee Opera Guilds.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 11:30 AM

Sarasota Yacht Club

Per Person Levels $85 | $150

Sarasota Opera events are produced by:

For questions or to make your reservations to any of these events, please contact SOAEvents@SarasotaOpera.org, or contact Davis Wolfe at (941) 366-8450, Ext. 813.

One of the finest venues for opera in the United States.

2024-25 SEASON

VICTOR DeRENZI, Artistic Director

RICHARD RUSSELL, General Director

CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA

Pietro Mascagni AND PAGLIACCI

Ruggero Leoncavallo

Feb. 15 – March 29, 2025

THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

March 8 – 28, 2025

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE

Gioachino Rossini

Feb. 22 – March 29, 2025

STIFFELIO

Giuseppe Verdi

March 15 – 30, 2025

All performances in the original language with simultaneous translations above the stage.

OPERA LOVERS WEEKS

The ultimate opera immersion experience— escape to Florida’s Sun Coast and see all four Sarasota Opera winter productions in as few as 3 days. Available March 19-30, 2025 . Sarasota Opera House | 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL

of Giuseppe

2024-25 SEASON CALENDAR

Lobby Concert 12:00 PM

The Barber of Seville 1:30 PM

The Barber of Seville 1:30 PM

The Marriage of Figaro 1:30 PM

The Barber of Seville 7:30 PM

Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci 7:30 PM

Stiffelio 7:30 PM Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci*** 1:30 PM

Stiffelio 1:30 PM Salute to the Stars** 11:30 AM

The Marriage of Figaro 7:00 PM

Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci 7:30 PM

The Barber of Seville 7:30 PM

Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci 1:30 PM

The Marriage of Figaro 7:00 PM

Stiffelio 7:30 PM

Stiffelio 1:30 PM

The Marriage of Figaro 7:00 PM Stiffelio 7:30 PM Apprentice Artists at Noon • 12:00 PM Covers at 3 • 3:00 PM

The Marriage of Figaro 7:00 PM Stiffelio 7:30 PM

The Barber of Seville*** 1:30 PM

The Barber of Seville 7:30 PM

Apprentice Artists at Noon • 12:00 PM

The Marriage of Figaro 7:00 PM

Opera Lovers Weeks are March 19-30. See all 4 Winter Opera Festival productions in as few as 3 days.

The Marriage of Figaro 1:30 PM

Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci 7:30 PM

Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci 1:30 PM

The Barber of Seville 7:30 PM

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SARASOTA YOUTH OPERA MARKS

40 years

by Richard Russell

While Sarasota Opera has always prided itself on the quality of our mainstage performances, the commitment to education has always been a central part of our mission. “I became interested in opera as a teenager, and I always felt that we should do something to create that same love of opera in a new generation,” Victor DeRenzi, artistic director of Sarasota Opera, said recently. This season, we mark the 40th anniversary of the Sarasota Youth Opera, the innovative program that has been one of our proudest achievements and which has made Sarasota Opera one of the country’s leaders in arts education.

The effort began in the fall of 1984, with the formation of the Children’s Opera Companies. Young people in Sarasota, Bradenton, and Venice were introduced to the basics of opera, with nearly 100 members coming together to sing in a concert at the Opera House. Two years later, in 1986, we began presenting operas specifically for young people to sing, which would become an annual event. The young people in the program also participate in our mainstage productions. Over the years, these young singers have been heard in such operas as Carmen, La bohème, and Pagliacci, all of which include an important part for a children’s chorus. These kids are an important part of the life of the company.

Now known as Sarasota Youth Opera, the program is the most comprehensive opera-based education and performance initiative in the country. Young people from ages 8 and above participate in a year-round schedule of activities. No one is turned away for lack of funds. When the school year commences in August, the kids begin rehearsals for their fall Youth Opera production. At the same time, they learn the rudiments of singing and stagecraft from our faculty. “It’s important to us that the program be about everything

involved in the process of staging an opera, not just singing in a chorus,” says DeRenzi.

The young singers also take part in the main opera company’s regular seasons. When a youth chorus is needed in the winter they take part in rehearsals while also preparing for their own choral performances in the community. And every June, the Youth Opera holds a summer camp, an immersive experience that includes singing, learning about the creation of opera, getting first-hand backstage experience, and taking part in all the multitude of activities that go into putting on an opera.

The annual production of a youth opera has led Sarasota Opera to seek and commission new works in order to complement the slim repertory of material that exists for young voices. Since 1989, six new operas have been commissioned by the company. Sarasota Youth Opera’s commission of Little Nemo in Slumberland by Daron Hagen and J.D. McClatchy inspired the “Opera for All Voices” program. As part of this initiative, a consortium of companies, led by Santa Fe Opera and including Sarasota Opera, has commissioned several works to add to the Youth Opera repertoire. This season’s production of The Hobbit by Dean Burry (first produced in 2008) is one of four operas that received their World or American premiere at Sarasota Youth Opera.

Including young people in the life of the opera company has been an important goal of artistic director Victor DeRenzi and the Sarasota Opera staff. One of the objectives is to instill a lifelong love of opera. By seeing the process firsthand and close-up, many of these young people now have a unique perspective on the

Brundibár (2015). Photo by Rod Millington.

Little Nemo in Slumberland (2012).

Photo by Rod Millington.

art form. A few singers in the program, like Adelaide Boedecker and Monica Conesa, have gone on to professional careers and have been heard on opera stages around the world. Others have turned their love of opera into other careers in the arts with professional roles in arts companies around the country. Pablo Gonzalez, who, as a young child, sang in Little Nemo in Slumberland, went on to study at Parsons School of Design and is now a successful graphic designer who has created some images for Youth Opera.

And Alexander Koutelias, who joined Youth Opera at the age of 9 [see sidebar], is now manager of philanthropy at the Orchestre Métropolitain in Montréal, led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

In addition to an appreciation of opera, participation in Sarasota Youth Opera has also helped young singers develop other skills. Whether it is a love of foreign languages, discipline, or the collaboration that is an important part of understanding and creating an opera production, they take these lessons learned into their future educational and employment careers.

None of this would be possible without the recognition that this education is an important responsibility of an opera company. There is no doubt that kids are the future of our art form. They keep us honest, and they are one of the reasons we do what we do. So we have to rise to the occasion. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary Youth Opera staff (currently including Martha Collins, director of education; Jessé Martins, Youth Opera music director; and Cameron Maxwell, Youth Opera coordinator), but also the enthusiastic participation of the opera board and staff.

Of course, the commitment of our donors to this activity has been vital. The Exchange has been a supporter of our youth programs since their inception and continues to provide an annual grant for these activities. Our important foundation sponsors, like the William E. Schmidt Foundation and the Les and Carol Brualdi Foundation, continue to provide additional underlying support. And there are many individual donors who recognize the importance of the work that we are doing. Education and Youth Opera funding from all these sources help defray the more than $350,000 annual cost of providing these young people with this unique opportunity.

Forty years of Sarasota Youth Opera is quite an achievement, but now is not the time to rest on our laurels. As fewer opportunities are available to experience opera in schools, we are committed to continuing and expanding our programming to make sure that as many young people as possible can experience the magic of opera. As DeRenzi says of the program, “I hope it inspires a love for the arts in general, because, as we know, the arts aren’t just a way to pass the time, but a way to improve our society.”

By Alexander Koutelias

Alexander Koutelias took part in the Sarasota Youth Opera from 2006-2015, from the ages of 9-18:

There are two main reasons why I kept coming back to Sarasota Youth Opera for those nine years:

1. It was a place full of "interesting" kids. We had this incredibly diverse group of young people, not only in terms of age but also in terms of race and economic background. Because Youth Opera accepts kids regardless of their ability to pay, it created a wonderfully diverse place for all children of Sarasota.

2. I was fascinated by the place and the people there. Here was this building in the middle of Sarasota with a giant room full of props from all historical periods and a bunch of cool people making costumes from scratch. And then there were the people who made me feel welcome from a young age and welcomed curiosity and enthusiasm. Because of this, I and many other young people felt quite at home there.

I performed in my first mainstage opera when I was 10 years old. I would attend rehearsals conducted by Maestro DeRenzi, with these incredibly loud and emotionally powerful voices from around the world. I remember being in shock and in awe at the end of the first rehearsal with these adults. For me, Sarasota Opera became a window to the world, full of interesting people from beyond Sarasota with interesting talents.

We were given so much responsibility in both the children's operas as well as in the regular operas during the season. It was a lesson in trust and responsibility. The words from both Jessé Martins and Martha Collins would be words of encouragement and belief in what we were capable of. They had very high expectations, but we would meet those expectations by the time performances came around.

After I finished Youth Opera, I was uncertain for a few years what I wanted to do for a career. Eventually, I did my Master’s in arts management, hoping to land a job in philanthropy at a cultural organization. Since May 2023, I've been happily employed as the Manager of Philanthropy at the Orchestre Métropolitain. Today, as both a philanthropy administrator, I recognize the transformative potential of philanthropy to change lives.

Verdi's I due Foscari (2008). Photo by Richard Termine.

The Secret World of Og (2016). Photo by Rod Millington.

Giuseppe Verdi, portrait by Giovanni Boldini.

THE MUSIC OF

Giuseppe Verdi

PROGRAM

La forza del destino

Aida

Aida

Un ballo in maschera

Un ballo in maschera

Attila

La traviata

Don Carlo

I Lombardi alla prima crociata

La forza del destino

Rigoletto

Sarasota Orchestra

Victor Starsky, Radamès

Rochelle Bard, Aida

Rochelle Bard, Amelia

Jean Carlos Rodríguez, Renato

Victor Starsky, Riccardo

Jean Carlos Rodríguez, Ezio

Young Bok Kim, Attila

Virginia Mims, Violetta

Victor Starsky, Alfredo

INTERMISSION

Young Bok Kim, Filippo II

Rochelle Bard, Giselda

Victor Starsky, Oronte

Young Bok Kim, Pagano

Rochelle Bard, Leonora

Virginia Mims, Gilda

Jean Carlos Rodríguez, Rigoletto

Sarasota Orchestra

Victor DeRenzi, conductor

Virginia Mims, soprano

Rochelle Bard, soprano

Victor Starsky, tenor

Jean Carlos Rodríguez, baritone

Young Bok Kim, bass

Sinfonia

“Celeste Aida”

“Ritorna vincitor”

“Morrò ma prima in grazia" Eri tu”

“Ma se m’è forza perderti”

“Tardo per gli anni, e tremulo”

“Ah, forse lui”- “Sempre libera”

“Ella giammai m’amò”

“Qual voluttà trascorrere” “Pace, pace mio Dio”

"Tutte le feste al tempio" Sì, vendetta, tremenda vendetta"

This performance is dedicated to the memory of Ernie Kretzmer, a great friend of Sarasota Opera and generous supporter of Sarasota's arts organizations.

Verdi IN SARASOTA

Tby Marina Harss

The relationship between Sarasota Opera and Giuseppe Verdi has been a long and fruitful one. And like all mature relationships it has evolved and deepened over time. Its most obvious expression was, of course, the Verdi Cycle, a decades-long project that culminated in 2016 with performances of Verdi’s Aida and La battaglia di Legnano, as well as a conference led by a panel of Verdi experts, and a grand, final Verdi concert. The stretch of Pineapple Ave. in front of the Opera House was even renamed Verdi Place for a time. This towering figure in opera was fêted with the verve and respect he deserves.

By that time, Sarasota Opera had performed all of the music Verdi composed over the course of his lifetime—at least all that is available—an achievement unmatched by any other company in the world. That included all of the operas, plus their variants, plus his chamber music, early works, ecclesiastical pieces, and ballet music, and even a few pages that had been excised from longer scores before the official premiere.

Why do such a thing? Verdi’s central place in the operatic repertoire is unquestioned, of course, assured by the lasting appeal of works like Rigoletto, La traviata, Il trovatore, Don Carlos, and Falstaff. (One could go on.) However, there are many more, like Un giorno di regno, I due Foscari, and Giovanna d’Arco, that are seldom, if ever, heard. But there is much to be enjoyed from experiencing the full arc of a composer’s work, especially one as rich as Verdi’s. You can see the way certain operas evolved over time, and how they influenced later operas; you can hear how Verdi’s musical language developed, and how he adapted it to each subject he took on. “Verdi didn’t write the same way for an Egyptian leader (in Aida) as he did for a Parisian courtesan (La traviata) or King Philip II of Spain (Don Carlos),” says Maestro Victor DeRenzi, Artistic Director

of Sarasota Opera since 1982, who has conducted every Verdi opera performed here.

The Sarasota audience has had the benefit of seeing Verdi’s less familiar works performed onstage, with passion and commitment and in a style Verdi might have recognized, rather than in a recording.  Verdi was not only a musician, but also a man of the theater. His music comes alive in the singers’ and orchestra players’ interpretations, in the sets, the costumes, the lighting. All this mattered to him. A recording can’t fully bring to life the world he created in his operas. “Listening to a recording is like looking at a very nice picture of Michelangelo’s David,” says DeRenzi. “You can’t see its greatness. These things are meant to be experienced in person; otherwise they remain abstractions.”

This commitment to Verdi did not end with the Cycle, of course. The 2016-17 season was the only one since 1989 in which not a single Verdi opera was performed. (Perhaps Verdi, too, needed a rest.) But he soon returned, in 2017 with La traviata, and Nabucco in 2018, and Rigoletto in 2019, and onward until this season, when the company is performing an all-Verdi concert—a regular occurrence over the years—and this coming winter, when it will perform the dramatic Stiffelio

A quick perusal of the company’s history with Verdi also gives a sense of its own growth and evolution over time. It was not until 1989, when the company created its first group of Studio Artists, an ensemble of singers who could fill out the secondary roles and choruses, that the Opera was ready to perform the core Verdi repertory. That year, the company presented Rigoletto, with current General Director Richard Russell singing in the

chorus. The following year, Aroldo, a seldom-heard reworking of Stiffelio from 1857, was brought to the stage. “It felt like a world premiere, because no one in the audience had heard it before,” says DeRenzi. With the success of Aroldo, the idea of staging a series of Verdi rarities one could not see anywhere else in the world was born.

Three years later, in 1992, the company began its exploration of the many revisions of Verdi’s operas, of different lengths, in different languages, with or without ballet music. The first of these was Simon Boccanegra (1857), which the company performed in both the original (Venice) and revised (Milan) versions.  Many of these revised and alternate versions had never been heard in the US; sometimes the work in question had not been staged at any opera house since the nineteenth century.

This was the case with Sarasota’s 1994 staging of the French version of The Sicilian Vespers, Les Vêpres siciliennes. Its North American premiere became the occasion of a two-day conference. Verdi experts from around the world convened in Sarasota to discuss various aspects of the composer’s French premieres. Other conferences and talks over the years explored such issues as Verdi’s compositional process and orchestrations, the importance of critical editions, and Verdi’s role in the unification of Italy.  In a true sense, Sarasota has become a kind of Verdi laboratory.

Another important development in the company’s relationship to the composer’s music was the large-scale, 20 million dollar renovation of the Opera House that took place in 2008. That renovation resulted in the creation of a significantly expanded orchestra pit, which in turn made it possible for the company to bring to the stage some of Verdi’s largest works, which had before been out of reach, including Don Carlos (2009, 2016), Otello (2012), and Aida (2016).

One thing that did not change with that renovation was the scale of the Opera House auditorium, which seats about 1,100 audience members. Paradoxically perhaps, this is a good thing. The theaters in which Verdi’s operas were performed during his lifetime, in Venice, Milan, Parma, Florence and beyond were not behemoths like the Met or Chicago’s Civic Opera House, but smaller theaters with a capacity not much larger than Sarasota’s. Audiences could see the singers up close and feel the emotions being depicted; their potency projected all the way to the back row of the house. “I think it is so important that we didn’t lose that intimacy,” says De Renzi.  “You can still feel that immediacy, that unfiltered emotion, just as you might have in Verdi’s time.”

It is just one of the many reasons Verdi has found a home here in Sarasota. And here is another. Since 1991, on January 26th, Verdi’s birthday, the entire staff of the theater has gathered to sing the moving chorus from Nabucco , “Va pensiero” in his memory. In Sarasota, Verdi has found a lasting home.

Marina Harss is a free-lance culture writer based in New York City and Sarasota. Her first book, The Boy From Kyiv: Alexei Ratmansky’s Life in Ballet, was recently released by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Darren Nimnicht as Rigoletto in Sarasota Opera's 1989 production.

Photo by Alan Ferguson.

Michelle Johnson as Aida and Jonathan Burton as Radamès in Sarasota Opera's 2016 production of Aida. Photo by Rod Millington.

THE HOBBIT

Music and Libretto By Dean Burry

Opera in Two Acts, Sung in English Based on the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (In Order of Appearance)

CAST

CONDUCTOR

Jessé Martins

STAGE DIRECTOR

Martha Collins

SCENIC DESIGNER

Jeffrey W. Dean

COSTUME DESIGNER

B. G. FitzGerald

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Ken Yunker

HAIR AND MAKE-UP DESIGNER

Sue Schaefer

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

Arthur Bosarge

OLD BILBO BAGGINS

Jake Stamatis*

LANTHIRLIND, an Elf Maiden

Chidinma Smarty

GWELULIND, an Elf Maiden

Makenna Mamazza

AMARLIND, an Elf Maiden

Nikolina Šupe

LASSLIND, an Elf Maiden

Briana Wadsworth

GALLIND, an Elf Maiden

JoAnna Pope*

NAURLIND, an Elf Maiden

Vittoria Morales-Franco

BILBO BAGGINS, a Hobbit

Isabella Maltese

GANDALF, a Wizard

Luke Harnish*

THORIN, Leader of the Dwarves

Giuliana Bordes

DWALIN, a Dwarf

Abril Sanchez-Rodriguez

BALIN, a Dwarf

Ara Martinez

FILI, a Dwarf

Alexis Herman

KILI, a Dwarf

Anjou Burkmier

ORI, a Dwarf

Yaëlle Katz

NORI, a Dwarf

Mia Trainor

DORI, a Dwarf

Sophie Lunsfod

OIN, a Dwarf

Kai Casey

GLOIN, a Dwarf

Dylan Murphy

BIFUR, a Dwarf

Olivia Novak

BOFUR, a Dwarf

Dylan Alan

BOMBUR, a Dwarf

Balthazar O’Neil

ELROND, an Elf-Lord

Finn MacBeth

AZOG, the Great Goblin

Zane Hancock

BOLG, a Goblin

Jalil Campbell

GOLLUM, a Goblin

Alexia Pino-Delgado

EAGLE

Chindinma Smarty

EAGLE LORD

Makenna Mamazza

BARD THE BOWMAN

Eitan Katz

MAYOR OF LAKETOWN

Natalie Purmort

THRUSH

Nikolina Šupe

SMAUG, a Dragon

Luke Harnish*

* Sarasota Opera Resident Artist

The Hobbit Orchestra

Chorus: Sarasota Youth Opera

Youth Opera Production sponsored by the Les and Carol Brualdi Foundation

THE HOBBIT SYNOPSIS

PROLOGUE

The Future, Third Age, 3018: A meeting hall in the Elvish town of Rivendell

Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, has been called before the Council of Elrond to tell the story of how he acquired ‘The Ring’.

ACT I

The Present, Third Age, 2941

The wizard Gandalf has come to Hobbiton to convince Bilbo to join in an adventure. Bilbo refuses, but the next day Gandalf arrives at Bilbo’s accompanied by a group of dwarves. They explain their plan to go to the Misty Mountains to reclaim Thorin’s throne and treasures, which were stolen by the dragon Smaug. Bilbo agrees to be their ‘burglar’.

On their journey they stop at the Elvish sanctuary of Rivendell. The Elf Lord Elrond explains that the swords the dwarves had found are special and will glow blue to warn when they are near goblins.

Upon leaving Rivendell a storm forces the group to seek refuge in a cave where they are attacked by goblins. They are brought before Azog, the goblin leader who is enraged to discover the swords in the group’s possession. Gandalf creates a diversion so the dwarves can escape, and Bilbo is separated from the others.

While lost, Bilbo discovers the ring. Unaware of its significance, he pockets it as Gollum appears to challenge him to a contest of riddles. Gollum becomes furious when he is unable to answer Bilbo’s final riddle, but Bilbo puts on the ring which magically makes him invisible, and he escapes.

ACT II

The travelers are searching for Bilbo when he takes off the ring and suddenly appears. Their reunion is cut short when they are forced to escape a group of wargs and goblins. Ultimately, they are saved by eagles who carry them to safety. Gandalf says he must temporarily leave them, warning them not to stray from the path. When they do, they are attacked by spiders. Bilbo eludes them by using the ring and frees his comrades.

Wood-elves appear and their leader, Thrandruil, questions their presence in his woods. Thorin and the group are arrested, but not before Bilbo again uses the ring to steal a set of keys from the guards. They then escape down the river hidden in barrels.

The group arrives in the village of Laketown. When the villagers learn Thorin has come to reclaim his throne, they rejoice and wish them well as the travellers continue on their way to confront the dragon.

Bilbo enters Smaug’s lair wearing the ring, and Smaug is enraged that he can smell but not see Bilbo. When the dragon learns the dwarves have come for revenge, he leaves to set Laketown ablaze. Bilbo tells the dwarves that Smaug has a weak spot on his scaly skin. The news is taken by the bird Thrush to Bard the Bowman who slays the dragon.

Angry over the destruction of Laketown, Bard leads the villagers and wood-elves to confront Thorin and claim their share of the treasure. Thorin refuses to accept their demands as Thrush warns of an approaching army of goblins and wargs. The epic battle of five armies ensues.

At daybreak Gandalf arrives and discovers Bilbo has survived. They bid farewell to Thorin, who has been mortally wounded, and begin the journey home.

Sarasota Opera 2014 production of The Hobbit. Photo by Rod Millington.

THE HOBBIT BACKGROUND

DEAN BURRY COMPOSER/LIBRETTIST

Composer and librettist Dean Burry has become one of the world’s leading composers of children’s opera, his works receiving performances across Canada, the United States, Europe, China and Brazil. At over 600 performances, his opera The Brothers Grimm is one of the most produced operas of the twenty-first century and his operatic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has been performed throughout the United States and received its European premiere to sold out houses in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2017. In 2018, Burry accepted a professorship at the DAN School of Drama and Music at Queen’s University in Kingston. He was the Artistic Director of the Canadian Children’s Opera Company from 2015-2017 and is the founding Artistic Director of Kingston’s Watershed Festival - Reimagining Music Theatre.

Recent premieres include the Dora Award winning opera Shanawdithit (Tapestry Opera/Opera on the Avalon), Sea Variations (Canadian Art Song Project), S tring Quartet No. 1 (New Orford String Quartet) and the opera Il Giudizio di Pigmalione with COSA Canada and Opera McGill. His chamber work The Highwayman was released on the Centrediscs/NAXOS label in October 2023.

Burry was the 2011 recipient of the Ontario Arts Foundation’s Louis Applebaum Composers Award for excellence in the field of music for young people. Following the fall 2022 premiere of Tracing Colville with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra, Burry has begun working on a book which charts not only his own artistic journey, but that of famed Canadian war artist Alex Colville. In September 2024, Tracing Colville was the Canadian representative on a concert celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

ABOUT THE HOBBIT

BY DEAN BURRY

The first time I was handed a faded, dog-eared copy of The Hobbit I was ten.  As a young boy I was absorbed in all things fantastical: dragons and giants, Greek and Egyptian mythology, and medieval weapons and warfare.  These things are still on the minds of ten years olds, just as they were on the minds of children a thousand years ago.  Some things never change, but something about The Hobbit was different.  It spoke so convincingly of this ‘made-up’ world, that it seemed real.  The story almost seemed more like a history book than just a fantasy novel.  Well, I believed.

There was something odd in those pages, however.  Little italicized stanzas.  Poetry in a novel about vicious goblin wars?  While reading, I soon discovered it was not poetry but song lyrics and they were very important.  In the tradition of the medieval minstrels and troubadours, Tolkien was constantly

commenting on the story through song.  I took piano lessons with the church organist.  I was in the recorder ensemble at seven in the morning.  I sang “Crawdad Hole” with the grade-six choir at the Kiwanis Festival in Gander, Newfoundland.  The Hobbit was full of music.  Music and a dragon – my ten-year old idea of heaven.

Being asked to create an opera of The Hobbit has been a chance to fully realize that dream.  Of course the book is full of lyrics, but the music must be supplied by the imagination.  The music of my opera was inspired by the many races found in the book.  Of course, the music must reflect the epic plot, but it must also portray the simple quaintness of the Hobbits, the earthy fortitude of the dwarves, the pastoral lightness of the elves, the mischievous wickedness of the goblins and the arrogance of Smaug the Magnificent.

One of the reasons why Middle Earth is so compelling, is that J.R.R. Tolkien, a language professor at Oxford University in England, was intimately aware of human civilization throughout history.  His races behave like real cultures in our own world.  Various world musical styles have also flavored the composition of The Hobbit opera.  The Dwarvish anthem “Far Over the Misty Mountains” has an undeniable Russian folk-song quality.  The Elves of Rivendell sing a song inspired by Renaissance French Madrigals.  The Goblins’ harsh and dissonant “Fifteen birds in five fir trees” recalls German expressionism and the fiddle tunes of Hobbiton evoke my own home of Newfoundland.  Fantasy grounded in reality means fantasy which feels real.  It is something foreign and familiar all at the same time and a great starting point for an engaging piece of theatre.

Dean Burry

THE ARTISTS FALL 2024

Rochelle Bard

Soprano • Holland, MA

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

SARASOTA OPERA

Odabella, Attila (2022)

Debut: Abigaille, Nabucco (2019)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Soprano Soloist, Verdi Requiem, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Norma, Norma, Opera Tampa

Tosca, Tosca, Hawaii Opera Theater/ Kalamazoo Symphony/Opera Theater of Connecticut

Jeffrey W. Dean

Scenic Designer • Sarasota, Florida

SCENIC DESIGNER

The Hobbit

SARASOTA OPERA (partial list)

I lombardi alla prima crociata (2011)

I due Foscari (2008)

Il barbiere di Siviglia (2008)

Debut: L’incoronazione di Poppea (1977)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Property designer for NBC-TV, and PBS Theater in America series.

Property artisan Asolo Scenic Studio

Recipient of the Florida Individual Artist Fellowship Award for set design.

Arthur Bosarge

Music Staff • Fairhope, AL

Assistant Conductor

SARASOTA OPERA

Music Director of the Apprentice Artists Program (2024)

Assistant Conductor, Don Giovanni, Thérèse (2023)

Debut: Assistant Conductor, Il matrimonio segreto (2022)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

The Pirates of Penzance, Central City Opera Matilde; L’occasione fa il ladro, Opera Southwest

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Utah Festival Opera

Conductor • New York, NY CONDUCTOR

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor since 1982

SARASOTA OPERA (partial list)

Carmen (2024)

Luisa Miller (2024)

The Music of Giacomo Puccini (2023)

Madama Butterfly (2023)

Ernani (2023)

Il matrimonio segreto (2022)

La scala di seta (2021)

La Wally (2020)

Debut: Orphée aux enfers (1982)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

A Verdi Celebration, Opéra de Montréal

La fanciulla del west, Théàtre de l'Opéra de Nice

Un ballo in maschera, Canary Islands/Spain

Stage Director • Ottawa, Canada

STAGE DIRECTOR

The Hobbit

SARASOTA OPERA (partial list)

Carmen (2024)

Ernani (2023)

Attila (2022)

L’inganno felice (2021)

Roméo et Juliette (2020)

I masnadieri (2006)

Debut: Apprentice Artists Program Stage Director (2004)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

L'occasione fa il ladro, Opera Southwest

Faust, Tri-Cities Opera/New York

Ariadne auf Naxos, Land of Enchantment Opera/New Mexico

Die Zauberflöte, New York University

Bass-Baritone • Lancaster, PA

GANDALF, SMAUG

The Hobbit

RESIDENT ARTIST

SARASOTA OPERA

Debut: Studio Artist (2024)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Commissionario, La traviata, Santa Fe Opera

Schaunard, La bohème, Wichita Grand Opera

Bartolo, Il barbiere di Siviglia, Penn Square Opera

Martha Collins

Victor DeRenzi

Luke Harnish

THE ARTISTS FALL 2024

Young Bok Kim

Bass • Seoul, South Korea

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

SARASOTA OPERA (partial list)

Raimondo, Lucia di Lammermoor (2024)

Il Commendatore, Don Giovanni (2023)

The Uncle Bonze, Madama Butterfly (2023)

Attila, Attila (2022)

Colline, La bohème (2020)

Timur, Turandot (2019)

Oroveso, Norma (2018)

Debut: Sarastro, Die Zauberflöte (2004)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Timur, Turandot, Opera Colorado Sparafucile, Rigoletto, Opera Delaware & Baltimore Opera

Colline, La bohème, New York City Opera

Virginia Mims

Soprano • West Palm Beach, FL

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

SARASOTA OPERA

Studio Artist (2024)

Rowan, The Little Sweep (2023)

Debut: Apprentice Artist (2023)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Mimì, La bohème, Sachsenwald Forum Reinbek

Lucia Ashton, Lucia di Lammermoor, Opera Magnifico

Cleopatra, Giulio Cesare, Indiana University Opera Theater

Alejandro Luévanos

Tenor • Durango, México

RESIDENT ARTIST

Sarasota Opera Debut

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Rinuccio, Gianni Schicchi, Aspen Music Festival

Don Riccardo, Ernani, Lyric Opera of Chicago

Rodolfo, La bohème, Teatro del Bicentenario

Jessé Martins

Music Staff • Sapiranga, Brazil CONDUCTOR

The Hobbit

SARASOTA OPERA

Conductor, Lucia di Lammermoor (2024)

Director of Studio Artists (2023)

Conductor, The Little Sweep (2023), The Secret World of Og (2022)

Conductor, La Fille du régiment (2022)

Conductor, Dido and Aeneas (2021)

Debut: Youth Opera Music Director (2011)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Assistant Music Director, Opera Factory/New Zealand

JoAnna Pope

Mezzo-Soprano • Jackson, MS

ELF MAIDEN

The Hobbit RESIDENT ARTIST

SARASOTA OPERA

La Marquise de Berkenfeld (Cover), La Fille du régiment (2022) Spirit/Second Witch (Cover), Dido and Aeneas (2021)

Debut: Apprentice Artist (2020)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Charlotte, Werther, Opera Vermont

La Ciesca, Gianni Schicchi, Mississippi Opera

Elvira, Giacomo’s Muse (world premiere), Opera Vermont

Jean Carlos Rodríguez

Baritone • Tampa, FL

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

SARASOTA OPERA

Lord Enrico Ashton, Lucia di Lammermoor (2024)

Debut: The Music of Giacomo Puccini (2023)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Escamillo, Carmen, Opera Tampa

Marcello, La bohème, Savannah Opera

Count de Luna, Il trovatore, Opera Tampa

Alfio, Cavalleria rusticana, Opera Tampa

Gianni Schicchi, Gianni Schicchi, Opera Tampa

Giorgio Germont, La traviata, Opera Tampa

Joylýn Rushing

Soprano • Philadelphia, PA

RESIDENT ARTIST

SARASOTA OPERA

Resident Artist (Fall 2022)

Debut: Apprentice Artist (2020)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Countess, Le nozze di Figaro, Peach State Opera

Giannetta, L’elisir d’amore, Huntsville Opera

Soprano, Messiah, Arkansas Choral Society

THE ARTISTS FALL 2024

Sue Schaefer

Hair and Make-up Designer • Minneapolis, MN

RESIDENT WIG & MAKE-UP DESIGNER

The Hobbit

SARASOTA OPERA

Debut: Wig and Make-up Designer, Winter Season (2014)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Wig and Make-up Designer, Florida Grand Opera (2014-2024)

Wig and Make-up Designer, Palm Beach Opera (2022)

Wig and Make-up Designer, Opera Saratoga (2021-2023)

Victor Starsky

Tenor • Richmond Hill, NY

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

SARASOTA OPERA

Debut: Don José, Carmen (2024)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Maurizio, Adriana Lecouvreur, Pittsburgh Opera Festival

Mario Cavaradossi, Tosca, New York City Opera Rodolfo, La bohème, Wichita Grand Opera

Jake Stamatis

Baritone • Tunkhannock, PA

OLD BILBO

The Hobbit

PRINCIPAL RESIDENT ARTIST

SARASOTA OPERA (partial list)

Le Dancaïre, Carmen (2024)

Hortensius, La Fille du régiment (2022)

Debut: Resident Artist (2021)

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Figaro Il barbiere di Siviglia, Gulfshore Opera

Figaro Le nozze di Figaro, Opera Ithaca

Papageno, Die Zauberflöte, Opera Memphis

Uberto La serva padrona, Hub City Opera and Dance

Deniz Uz

Music Staff • Longwood, FL

ASSISTANT CONDUCTOR

The Music of Giuseppe Verdi

Sarasota Opera Debut

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS

Conductor, Béatrice et Bénédict, University of North Florida Opera Theatre

Repititeur, Carmen, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

Cover Conductor, The Magic Flute, Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

YOUTH OPERA CHORUS

Sarasota Youth Opera Ensemble

PORTRAYING ELVES, GOBLINS, HOBBITS, LAKE

PEOPLE, SPIDERS, WARGS, AND WOOD ELVES

Sylvia Adams

Mateo Aristizabal

Stefaniia Biedakurova

Jalil Campbell

Stephanie Casanova

Nickita Chursin

Corbin Craig

Kayla Farrell

Gabriella Gubello

Zane Hancock

Iaroslav Hawley

Eitan Katz

Harper Lin

Finn MacBeth

Monreaux Magdik

Elizabeth Martinez

Maxim Nekorystnov

Isla Outerbridge

Blue Owens

Camryn Palazzolo

Natalia Peno

Sofia Rose Peric

Alexia Pino-Delgado

Natalie Purmort

Ovid Rawlins

Emily Ruiz

Isabella Scaccino

Sophia Silva

Johnny Snyder

Lael Zehr

Elle Zukas

Sarasota Youth Opera Preparatory Ensemble

PORTRAYING HOBBITS AND ELVES

Cara Carlson

Emily Dorics

Alyssa Entin

Sophia Gambrell

Reyna Kim

Live Klein

Kiril Kuzmin

Yeva Kuzmina

Beatrice McCarthy

Harper Olney

Enrique Oquendo

Victoria Oquendo

Grace Paver

Milano Peric

Jackson Reed

Catarina Reser-Levehagem

Nikita Rybak

Rhema Stahlmann

Sawyer Tillman

Myla Trainor

Maia Vergnais

The Hobbit Orchestra

VIOLIN I

Anne Chandra, Concertmaster

VOILIN II

Chungyon Hong

VIOLA

Nathan Frantz

CELLO

Nadine Trudel

BASS  Gil S. Katz

FLUTE/PICCOLO

Allison DeFrancesco

CLARINET

Bharat Chandra

BASSOON

Fernando Traba

PERCUSSION

Kelsey Bannon

William Brown

PIANO

Arthur Bosarge

PRODUCTION ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The play THE HOBBIT being presented in this production was adapted by Dean Burry from the book entitled THE HOBBIT by J.R.R. Tolkien under a license from Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company, Berkley CA, USA, and is copyrighted © 2004, The Saul Zaentz Company. The book is also under copyright. The Play is being presented by permission and under license from Middle-earth Enterprises. All rights are reserved. No part of the play may be performed, photographed, recorded or reproduced in any form except with the consent of Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company.

This production may contain special effects, including but not limited to strobe lighting.

Matthew Pegis, assistant principal

Nathan Frantz

Daniel Urbanowicz

Nicholas P. Arbolino

SARASOTA ORCHESTRA FALL 2024

Violin

Daniel Jordan, concertmaster

Christopher Takeda, associate concertmaster

Jennifer Best Takeda, assistant concertmaster

Michael Turkell, principal second

Meghan Jones, assistant principal second

Katherine Baloff

Felicia Brunelle

Léna Cambis

Anne Chandra

Carlann Evans

ChungYon Hong

Laura Jensen-Jennings

Leah Latorraca

Milene Rossato Moreira

Amanda Nix

Sean O’Neil

Max Tan

Shawna Trost

Chih-Chun Wang

Margot Zarzycka Whitelaw

Viola

Stephanie Block, principal

Matt Pegis, assistant principal

Peter Ayuso

Nathan Frantz

Jean Phelan

Edwardo Rios

Cello

Christopher Schnell, principal

Nadine Trudel, assistant principal

Isabelle Besançon

James Churchill

Chizuko Matsusaka

Sara Page

Double Bass

John Miller, principal

Samuel Dugo, assistant principal

Alex Albanese

John Price

Betsy Hudson Traba, principal

Carmen Newell Bannon

Allison DeFrancesco

Oboe

Bobby Nunes, principal

Nicholas P. Arbolino

Daniel Parrette, principal

Calvin Falwell

Fernando Traba, principal

Edward Rumzis

Morgen Low, principal

Stephen Madancy

Trumpet Trombone

Flute Piccolo Library

Clarinet Bassoon Horn

Hugo Bliss, co-principal

Joshua Horne, co-principal

Melvin Jackson

Shea Kells-Murphy

The Musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra are proudly represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Gulf Coast Local 427-721

Brad Williams, principal

Austin Canon

Casey Maday

Bass Trombone

Ilan Morgenstern

Timpani

Yoko Kita, principal

Percussion

Marcelina Suchocka, principal

Harp

Phoebe Powell, principal Giuseppina Ciarla

Katie Nakanishi, principal

Paul Greitzer, assistant principal

LA SCALA DI SETA 23

The Musicians of the Sarasota Orchestra are proudly represented by the American Federation of Musicians, Gulf Coast Local 427-721.

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CHANTICLEER HOLIDAY CONCERT

Dec 3, 2024, 7:30 pm | Sarasota Opera House

PIANIST JEAN-YVES THIBAUDET

Jan 15, 2025, 7:30 pm | Riverview Performing Arts Center

THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA

Kahchun Wong, conductor | Sayaka Shoji, violin

Jan 26, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

CZECH NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Steven Mercurio, Music Director | Maxim Lando, piano

Feb 13, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

AN EVENING WITH YO-YO MA; REFLECTIONS IN WORDS & MUSIC

Feb 27, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

VIVALDI FOUR SEASONS | LES ARTS FLORISSANTS

Mar 14, 2025, 7:30 pm | Riverview Performing Arts Center

NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director | Hilary Hahn, violin

March 24, 2025, 7:30 pm | Van Wezel

Raise Your Voice

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is important to opera aficionados, those exploring the world of opera, and the artists who get the rare opportunity to perform in these roles. The fund also helps to offset rising production costs across the whole Sarasota Opera season. Participants in this fund enjoy exclusive access-based benefits that bring them up close to the work of Sarasota Opera.

CO-PRODUCERS & SEASON PRODUCERS ($6,000+)

Co-Producers and Season Producers underwrite a substantial portion of the cost of producing world-class opera in Sarasota. Joining this community of supporters brings with it VIP status and immerses you in the Sarasota Opera production process with access to Meet & Mingles with artists, program book and surtitle recognition, and exclusive special events.

KRETZMER LEGACY SOCIETY

Want to leave an enduring legacy? Think of Sarasota Opera when making your estate plans and join this special group of individuals concerned about the vitality of Sarasota Opera’s future. To make your wishes known or discuss planned giving options, please contact Stacy Ridenour at sridenour@sarasotaopera.org or call (941) 366-8450, Ext. 246. More information can also be found on page 48.

A member of the Development staff is available to assist you in your philanthropic decisions. Please contact us at (941) 366-8450, Ext. 813 or development@sarasotaopera.org.

Sarasota Youth Opera in Sarasota Opera's 2019 production of Brundibár.

ANNUAL GIVING THANK YOU.

Sarasota Opera is proud to celebrate its 66th season of producing impassioned opera performances for Sarasota audiences and proudly recognizes Leadership Tier donors’ cumulative annual gifts of $6,000 or more in the following pages. Leadership supporters make a significant investment in helping Sarasota Opera achieve its artistic goals through support of the Co-Producer program, Youth Opera & Education Fund, Artistic Achievement Fund, or a combination of different giving programs. We also recognize the number of years they have supported Sarasota Opera at this level, as well as their gifts of $1,000 or more for special campaigns. To learn how you can support Sarasota Opera, contact either Melissa Voigt at (941) 366-8450, Ext. 581 or mvoigt@sarasotaopera.org or Karen Misantone at Ext. 416 or kmisantone@sarasotaopera.org. Cumulative gifts and pledges are reflected between January 1 and September 15, 2024. Gifts and pledges received after this date will appear in the 2025 Winter Program Book.

Hank and Melinda Foster 19

$100,000 +

Dr. Franz and Joanne Hummert

LA SCALA

Mr. Waldron Kraemer and Ms. Joan Lovell

Ernie Kretzmer, in loving memory of Alisa Kretzmer 23

ERNIE AND ALISA KRETZMER, in memoriam 26

Season Producer

PAUL AND SHARON STEINWACHS 18

Season Producer; Pavilion Project

or Co-Producer, contact Director of Development Scott Guinn at (941) 366-8450, ext. 416 or sguinn@sarasotaopera.org.

and pledges are current as of September 15, 2021.

ED BAVARIA, in loving memory of Jane 27 Season Producer

LYNN BLACKLEDGE, in loving memory of Steve 17 Season Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Artistic Achievement ; Apprentice Artist Sponsor

LES AND CAROL BRUALDI 22

Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Principal Artist Sponsor; Pavilion Project

DAVID AND EDITH CHAIFETZ 20

Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Pavilion Project

LARRY AND CAROL ENGLISH 27

Producer; Gala Platinum Sponsor

Ed Bavaria, in loving memory of Jane 24

David and Edith Chaifetz 17 M

Les and Carol Brualdi 19 M

S Sarasota Opera Guild member | M Manatee Opera Guild member

ANNUAL GIVING THANK YOU

CLAUDIA MCCORKLE 22 Season Producer

DR. FRANZ AND JOANNE HUMMERT 10 Season Producer

AUDREY ROBBINS AND HARRY LEOPOLD 24 Season Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Pavilion Project

ARTHUR SICILIANO AND B. ALINE BLANCHARD 16 Season Producer; Gala Platinum Sponsor

HANK AND MELINDA FOSTER 22 Season Producer; Apprentice Artist Sponsor

THOMAS GARDEN AND LINDA GARDEN 3 Season Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Gala Platinum Sponsor; Pavilion Project

ANNUAL GIVING THANK YOU

Season PRODUCERS

BILL AND REBECCA TOMPKINS 16 Season Producer; Youth Opera & Education

Bill and Rebecca Tompkins 13 Not Pictured:

We gratefully acknowledge two anonymous Season Producers Max Eisenbarth Trust

ANONYMOUS Season Producer

ROBERT AND SALLY ARTHUR 11 Season Producer; Principal Artist Sponsor; Apprentice Artist Sponsor

PHILIP AND SUZANNE CONOVER 8 Season Producer

MAX EISENBARTH TRUST 13 Season Producer

Paul and Sharon Steinwachs 15

Don and Rachael Worthington 21 S Sarasota Opera Guild member

Manatee Opera Guild member

JANET STERN SOLOMON AND LEWIS D. SOLOMON 6 Season Producer; Apprentice Artist Sponsor ; Artistic Achievement Fund

TOBY AND NOEL SIEGEL 10 Season Producer; You Opera & Education; Gala Platinum Sponsor

DON AND RACHAEL WORTHINGTON 23 Season Producer; Youth Opera & Education; Gala Platinum Sponsor; Pavilion Project

$24,000 +

ANNUAL GIVING THANK YOU

Ms. Katherine Benoit and Mr. John Brooks 11 CP; AS; YO; GS

Syble Di Girolamo 17 CP

Dr. and Mrs. Herbert Kaufman 13 CP

Live for a Living 1 AF: YO

Ellen V. Piers Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County 11 CP; AS

Rose Marie Proietti 9 CP

Mrs. Margaret Renner, in memory of Ernst Renner 9 CP; AS; AF

Janis and Hobart Swan 8 CP; GS; AF; YO

Michal and Jim Wadsworth 10 CP; GS; PP

$18,000 +

Anonymous CP; YO

Anonymous CP; YO; PP

Ron and Barb Archbold 11 CP

Rocco and Elizabeth Aversa 5 CP; YO; OL; PP

Sumner and Irene Bagby 17 CP; GS

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation 10 CP

Brad and Lynda Blaylock 5 CP; YO

Murray Bring and Kay Delaney 17 CP; YO

Forrest S. Crawford, in loving memory of Sally H. Foote 14 CP; AF; YO; AS

Anne Terry Brennan Davis 5 CP; YO: GS

Mr. and Mrs. William Lloyd 13 CP; AS

Helen Panoyan 9 CP; OP: PP

Margaret Romanes 17 CP; YO

Gabriel and Valerie Schmergel 20 CP

Robert and Camille Thinnes 5 CP; YO

$12,000 +

Anonymous CP

Stan and Alma Abshier 23 CP; YO; PP

Peggy Allen and Steven Dixon 9 CP

Dr. Carl A. Batlin and Susan Hinko 3 CP

David Bialosky and Carolyn Christian 3 CP; YO

Bonnie and William Chapman 13 CP

Even T. and Malama Collinsworth Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County 14 CP

David Epstein and Tamara Jacobs 2 CP

Frances D. Fergusson and John Bradburry 12 CP; YO

William C. and Joyce K. Fletcher 6 CP; AS

Robert L. Fowler and Susan E. Gilbert 6 CP; YO

Paul and Marilyn R. Frederick 10 CP

Angela and William Haines 2 CP; PP

Felicia and Andrew Hall 6 CP; YO

Dr. Carmen Hampl & Dr. Bernhard Hampl 1 CP

The Holder Family, in loving memory of Carolyn Ann Holder 13 CP; YO; GS

Alastair Hunter-Henderson and Noralyn Marshall 2 YO; OL; PP

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Kaplan 11 YO

Roger and Kristin Kaufman 11 CP

Ruth B. Kreindler 20 CP

James and Lorna Mack 3 CP

James and Ann Magee 9 CP; PP

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mallof 10 CP

Joan Mathews 13 CP; PP

Stephania and James McClennen 3 CP; AS

Amy McGowan 3 CP

Martha Murphy 20 CP

Keith F. Nelson and Judith K. Marquis 3 CP: AS

Patrick and Kim Nettles 13 CP

Susan Scarbrough 1 CP

Dr. Peter and Louise Shimkin 9 CP

Joe and Nora Stephan 19 CP

John Suhre and Carla Koeffler 11 CP

John G. and Anna Maria Troiano Foundation, Inc. 24 CP

Elton and Gordie White 16 CP

Russ and Margarete Wiltshire 22 CP: YO

$6,000 +

Anonymous (3) CP

Jim Ainslie PP

James Richard Asadourian, in memoriam 2 CP: PP

Shari and Steve Ashman 4 AF: PP

Dr. and Mrs. G. Richard Baise 10 PP

Ruth Barker 7 CP

Tom and Loretta Beaumont 1 CP

Duncan and Susan Brown 1 CP

Jadwiga and Donald Brown 2 CP

Ruth Anne and Mark Brus 3 CP; PP

A. Scott Bushey 25 CP

James and Eileen Buzzard 2 CP

Darlene J. and Richard P. Carroll, MD 1 CP

ANNUAL GIVING THANK YOU

James and Lois Champy 3 CP

Dr. Octavio and Mrs. Nela Choy 8 CP

Lou and Marianne Cohen 7 CP

Jerry Cohn 5 CP: OL

Jonathan Strickland Coleman and Rick Kerby 18 CP

Neil and Sandra DeFeo 6 CP

Jim Ericson 19 CP

Eleanor C. Faber 13 CP

Gerald Fickenscher and Wendy Babb 5 CP:GS

Barbara and Tony Franke 9 CP: PP

Herman and Sharon Frankel 15 CP

Rae and Sanford Frankel 3 CP

Flora Garsten, in loving memory of her husband, Irwin Garsten 6 CP

Tom and Libbie Glembocki 1 CP

Mike and Mary Glynn 2 CP

Fr. Jeffrey Hamblin, M.D. 6 CP; YO

Donna Lynn Hecker 13 CP

Richard Johnson 14 CP

Elaine Keating, in loving memory of Sidney Katz 12 CP

Pat and Ann Kenny 5 CP

Alan Kesten and Pamela Johnson 7 CP

Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith and Dr. Hugh Smith 7 CP; YO; PP

Marlene Kitchell 5 CP

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Kreit 7 CP: YO

Peter and Melody Kretzmer 6 CP; YO

Diana Lager 26 CP

Dorothy Lawrence 11 CP

Helene Lebleu, in loving memory of Alain Lebleu 7 CP

Christopher and Margo Light 7 CP

Joe and Pam LoDato 3 CP: PP

Richard A. Macken 8 CP

Martin Martel and Bonny F. Heet 17 CP; PP; GS

Drs. Louis and Roseanne Martorella 10 CP: YO

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard A. McCue, III 7 CP

Mary J. Mitchell 9 CP

Elizabeth Moore 3 CP

Natalie Pavlovic, MBA 1 YO

Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Press 1 CP

Mary S. Riebold 16 CP

Piero and Rachele Rivolta-Barbieri 16 CP

Esther Rose, in loving memory of Rabbi Herbert Rose 9 CP

Michael and Maureen Ruettgers 10 CP

Gail and Skip Sack 15 CP

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Sanzo 2 CP

Jacqueline E. Schafer 1 CP

Ralph and Jinny Scheffert 8 CP

Jan Schmidt 17 CP

Arnold J. Simonsen Family

Charitable Foundation 4 CP

Amanda and Dick Smoot 5 CP: PP

Garry and Sharon Snook 1 CP

Zona Spray Starks 5 CP; YO

Skip Stearns 10 CP

Ms. Susan K. Straus 13 CP: PP

Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation 4 CP

Ky Thompson and Marge Melun 4 CP

Karen and Bill Watt 10 CP

Eve and Michael Williams-Jones 8 CP

Lewis and Susan Winarsky, in honor of Barb and Ron Archbold 2 CP

Dr. Richard Wires 20 CP; YO

Joan H. Wood, in memoriam 32 CP

Areas of Support Key

CP: Co-Producer

AS: Apprentice Artist Sponsor

AF: Artistic Achievement Fund

YO: Youth Opera & Education

GS: Gala Platinum Sponsor

ME: Mini-Event Host

PP: Pavilion Project

CS: Sarasota Opera Costume Studio

OL: Opera Lovers Trip

STARS

STARs of Sarasota Opera support Maestro DeRenzi’s vision to produce opera true to vision of the composer as well as our education and community engagement activities. For more than six decades, this community of supporters has raised its voice for world-class opera in Sarasota, and we gratefully acknowledge the contribution of each contributor. To learn more about becoming a STAR donor, contact Patron Giving Manager Brenda Tamm at (941) 366-8450, ext. 250 or btamm@sarasotaopera.org. Gifts are current as of September 15, 2024. Gifts received after this date will be recognized in the 2025 Winter Program Book.

Benefactors

($3,000 - $5,999)

William C. and Vicki A. Anderson

Mr. and Mrs. David Arch

Mr. Jeffrey Bain and Rabbi Anat Moskowitz

Dr. and Mrs. G. Richard Baise

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Benjamin

Mary Downing Bray

Mr. David Chivas and Mr. Ronald Rice

Mr. Bill Chorske and Ms. Elaine M. Gustafson

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Coch

Mr. Robert Cook

In honor of Kathleen and Paul DeVita

Mrs. Shirley Fein

Josephine Franz and Russ Gill

Mrs. Maia Hopper

Alan and Eleanor Israel

Richard Kiegler and Ruthann Sturtevant-Kiegler

Richard and Grace Kiltie, in memory of Camilla R Murphy

Andrew Kotsatos and Heather Parsons

Ms. Vicki Leaden

Dr. M. S. W. Lee

Susan and Arthur Luger

Gerda Maceikonis

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Mann

Drs. Robert and Barbara McClure

Mr. and Mrs. John M. Pepe

Arthur and the late Rona Cader Rosenbaum

Steve Sabato

Arthur Weldon

Chip and Jean Wood

Sally and Doug Wright

Sandra and Gary Yakes

Ambassador

($2,000 - $2,999)

Anonymous

Charles Albers and Julie Planck

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brand

Mr. and Mrs. Aref Bsisu

Mr. Fred W. Camp

Dr. Gabriel R. and Mrs. Amy Cipau

Nelson and Lilia Co

Alan S. Cohen, in loving memory of Natalie Cohen

Dr. and Mrs. Marvin Daley

David E. Derr, in loving memory of Louise Derr

Mr. and Mrs. Diego Donoso

Carl W. Duyck and Dennis J. Flood

Leon R. and Margaret M. Ellin

Herbert Fox and Janet Zinner

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hassan

Dr. and Mrs. Mark S. Kauffman

Tom LeFevre

Mr. and Mrs. Jim McAlpine

Charles and Linda Naftalin

Mrs. Ingrid Nutter

Peter M. and Tova Phillipes

David and Lucinda Pollack

Martin and Beverly Rosenberg

Laurie Rosin

Mr. and Mrs. Reinhard Schwartz

Mr. and Ms. Roy Sommerhalter

Mr. Stanley Zielinski

Regent

($1,250 - $1,999)

John and Lynne Collins

Mr. and Mrs. Royce Conner

Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Crootof

Antoinette and William Dowling

Gordon Finman

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Gallick

Roz Goldberg

Mr. and Ms. David Goldrich

Mrs. Alice B. Gorman

Mr. and Mrs. Hanford Gross

Mr. and Mrs. Jay P. Hartig

Gregory P. Hetter, M.D. and Mrs. Anita Pihl-Hetter

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Israel

Drs. Walter and Susan Jay

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Karlin

Isa Engleberg and Allan Kennedy

Thomas I and Linda Z Klein Philanthropic Fund

Jane and John Krayesky

Lynn Lefebvre

Ms. Phyllis Lovrien

Margaret L. Maguire

Lou and Carolou Marquet

Jamie and Meg McLane

Ms. Sharon Oberlander

Mr. and Mrs. Michael W. O'Brien

Mrs. Joanne Olian

Jay Plager and Lynne Pettigrew

Mrs. Barbara C. Raphael and Mrs. Helene Demers

Mr. William A. Robson

Ellen and Peter Zane

Associate

($600 - $1,249)

Anonymous

Chuck Angulo

Dr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Ballard

Dolly and Stanley Bass

Mr. and Mrs. Patrick A. Bastien

Mr. Glen Behrendt and Ms. Lenore Shapiro

Marc Behrendt, in memory of Everett Behrendt

Mr. and Mrs. Larry G. Brown

Ms. Catherine R. Burt

Cornelia Cook

Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Domber

Mr. Douglas Endicott

Marian V. Erwin

Dr. Phyllis J. Faw

Dr. and Mrs. Robert J. Frank

Alex and Eija Friedlander

Martha and Tom Galek

Philip M. Gelber M.D. and Patricia Gelber

Mr. and Mrs. Barney Greenhill

Paul and Marilyn Hollowell

Jean and Peter Huber

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Iovanna

Dr. Bruce Jackson, in memory of Rosalind Jackson

D. Anthony Jones

Joseph and Sylvia Bloom Fund

Jeanne and Stan Kagin

Sandra Kamin

Angela Helfter Korsmo

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Krambeck

Bruce Kurtz

Mary and Barry Lazarus

Fr. Frank B. Lenz

Judith Liersch and Allen Jennings

Mr. Armando Linde and Mrs. Felicity Maroney

Mr. and Mrs. Terrance L. Lindemann

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew MacBeth

Mr. and Mrs. W. Thomas Margetts

Gary and Gloria McKinley

Lynne Miller

Mr. Michael Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morra

The Olian Foundation

Cheryl and Frank Raimondi

Bernadine Richey and Michael Hays

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Roney

Vinod and Judith Gail Sahney

Dr. Henry S. Sauls

Dr. Thomas Schmidlin

Mr. and Ms. Richard Schworm

Ms. Stephanie Sonnabend

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Stikeleather

Jackie and John Thompson

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Tillman

Jean Volpe

Ann C. Weingartner

Lawrence H. Weiss

Mr. and Mrs. James O. Westby

Mr. James J. Whalen and Mr. Thomas H. Wentz III

Jeanne C. Yeagle, in memory of David Luce

Michael Young and Debra Raskin

Advocate

($350 - $599)

Anonymous

Ms. Graziella Abujawdeh

Joseph and Daria Adajian

Tom Adams and Lynne Cahill

Jerry and Sue Ellen Addicott

Robert C. Anderson

Mrs. C. William Baisley

Edward John Bash

Jim Bennett

Dale Berkebile

Irwin and Sybil Broh

Robert and Lorynne Cahn Family Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Janine and Douglas Cohen

Dot and Alan Cohler

Mark and Cindy Condyles

STARS

George and Kathy Dambach

Ms. Elizabeth O. Del Pico

Mr. Michael Dotsey

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Feldman

Patricia Golemme

Ms. Susan Gordon

Dr. and Dr. Walt Goulet

Mary Groninger, in loving memory of Mike Groninger

Carla Guarascio and Tom Kortendick

Karen and Werner Gundersheimer

Maryanne and Ray Hazen

In memory of Allan Horsman

Ms. Lisa L. Huertas

Daniel R. Idzik and Kathleen M. Osborne

Dr. and Mrs. Ronald Kennedy

Mary L. Kenzie Foundation

Mr. Michael Landy

Mr. Kevin Lucey

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Lundquist

Ms. Marina Markantonatos, in memory of Antony Markantonatos

John Markham Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Wesley G. McCain, Noreene Storrie & Malcolm W. S. McCain Family Fund

Linda and Mel McKinley

John and Diane McWhirter

Ms. Ellen Melnick and Mr. Pete Rogowski

Ronda Montminy, in loving memory of Arnold Simonsen

Dr. and Mrs. John Nelson

Paul and Mary Neuhauser

Jeff and Janice Newman

Helene And Gene Noble Testamentary Fund

Michael Petrino and Clarissa Moore

Ms. Lizette Radovic

Maureen Ranft

Stanley and Laurel Rothbardt

Sue Rupp and Josh Ingojo

Lee Ann Salle

Salten Weingrod Family Fund

Schaefer/Whidden Giving Fund

Mr. and Mrs. James R. Scholler

Mrs. Barbara Schwartz and Mr. Jerry Flum

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Seery

Dr. and Mrs. Jonathan Shagrin

Ms. Valerie Shah

Jan and Elliot Silverman

Drs. Robert and Mary Helen Spear

Mr. Donat Stern

Mr. Andrew H. Sutton

Mr. Leonard Tavormina

Mary Ann Tittle

Dr. Mary B. Trube

Gretchen Turner

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Viola

Mrs. Ann Walborn

Laurie and Rick Waller

Lewis M. Wasserman

Peter J. Wender

Drs. Anna and Janusz Wolaniuk

Sustainer

($250 - $349)

Anonymous

Ms. Christine Armstrong

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Axelrod

Mr. and Mrs. Brian Beggerow

Martha and James Chadwick

Michael and Carol Clark

Mr. and Mrs. C. John Clarke

Patricia Dal Cortivo

Kathy and Philip Dierstein

Mr. Raymond Dispoto, in loving memory of Dr. Jack G. Hutton, Jr.

Jayne Dietsch and Marvin Kowalewski, Ph.D

Helen and Alec Feiner

Mr. Peter Ferentinos

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Finn

Mr. Roland Fiore

Mr. Bill Forester

Martin Fried

Lawrence Fullerton and Maple Cervo

Harris and Sharon Goldenberg

Marjorie R. Goldstein

Ms. Robin D. Gross and Mr. Philip Levinton

Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hannum

Laura B. Henderson

Joel Herman and Milt Sleeter, in honor of Howard Kaplan

James Hindman

Mr. and Mrs. Fraser Johnson

Ms. Elsie Kearns

Diane and Barry Kirschenbaum

Tony and Dorid Lamb

Bonney and Len Libman

Richard and Lyn Manning

Dr. and Mrs. Todd A. Nolan

Jim and Alice Noone

Jim and Debbie Reda

Kathy Romanella

Barry Safir

Roger and Shannon Santora

Mr. Gary S. Schieneman and Ms. Susan B. Fisher

Sue Shepard

Dr. and Mrs. Richard N. Tennenbaum

Sandra VanLangen

Kevin and Melissa Voigt

Mr. and Mrs. Graeme Wheatley

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Yarnold

Dr. and Mrs. S. Jerome Zackin

Sponsor

($150 - $249)

George and Polla Abed

Mr. Ray Alba and Mrs. Miriam Rullan-Alba

Edward P. Andershock

Mr. and Mrs. Livingston Baker

David and Susan Batchelor

Dr. and Mrs. Greg Bergamo

Marilyn and Paul Blankman

Mr. Alfred G. Brown

Mr. David Brown and Ms. Nina Glasgow

Edward and Ursula Carroll

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Case

Joanne Cashetto

Mr. and Mrs. George Castrucci

Suzanne L. Coleman

Ms. Patricia Cowart

Mr. Robert Dennis

Carol Der Garry

Patricia Dodge

June and Bernard Fineman

Mr. Rogelio Garcia

Tim and Pat Guarino

Dr. and Mrs. James Halikas

Dr. Elwood Headley

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hearn

Phyllis and Robert Hemler

Ms. Ellen Hufe

Mr. and Mrs. Wayne E. Johnston

William (Coty) and Marjorie Keller

Jim Kihm

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald A. Kolschowsky

Dr. and Mrs. Edward Kropp

Mr. David Kuhn

Ellen and Henry Mason

Ms. Regina I. McArdle

Mr. Colin McDonald

Mr. and Mrs. Donald McLagan

Mrs. Denise McLaughlin

Mrs. James T. Metz

Peggy Gordon Miller

Mrs. Roberta L. Miller

Dr. James Nichol

Piotr and Elzbieta Odrowaz-Pieniazek

Dr. Linda Patriarca

Wayne Patrick

Mr. and Mrs. John Payak III

Edith L. Perry and Blakemore W. Overall

Sally Peterson

Stephen Peterson

Larry and Jackie Pettit

Dr. Lee Pollan

Mr. Eugene Raymond

Ms. Susan Reeves

Mr. and Mrs. Nigel Richards

Dr. Brent and Mrs. Ricki Rubin

STARS

John and Lydia Russo

Edward and Dorothy Segowski

David and Carole Silverman

Mr. Mark Sochar

Mario S. Spalatin

Dr. and Mrs. J. Robert Spencer

Nancy Strickland and Laurence Jarvik

Dr. Joseph and Marie Suarez

Dr. Kimberly Swanson and Dan Franks

Ms. Janet Tolbert

J. David Ulrich

Sofiya and Douglas Vogt

Mrs. Anne M. Vose

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Weiner

Dr. Ronald Weintraub and Mrs. Margo Howard

Netta and Hugh Whyte

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilkinson

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Williams

Mr. Bryan Yunker

Supporter

($50 - $149)

Anonymous

Drs. Mark and Helen Abramowicz

Dr. Michal Adamczyk

Ms. Cecile Adams

Mrs. Laurel M. Akhund

Mr. Alan Anderson

Mr. and Mrs. Vincent D. Andrus

Mr. Victor Aponte

Stephanie Arthur and Michael Vlaisavljevich

Karin Ash and William Huling

Ms. Barbara Ayers

Barbara Benjamin and Stephen Blumenthal

Ms. Linda Bentley

Mr. David Berenshteyn

Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Binks

Jean M. Thielen Blair

Mr. Mitchell Blatt and Ms. Michele Lepsche

Mr. Michael Bolton

Ms. Leanna L. Breese and Mr. Carl Vance

Dr. James A. Brown and Ms. Barbara A. Boykin

Ms. Fran Campagnuolo

Mrs. Elana Carnes

Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Case

Mrs. Linda Colson

Ilene K. Conklin

Mr. Robert Cook

Mr. and Mrs. John Corbellini

Aileen Cornbleet

Ms. Susan Crawford

Mr. and Mrs. James Curtis

Ms. Katherine DeSousa

Ms. Lynn DeVitis

Tom and Janice Donan

Ms. Marilyn Dorn

Mr. John Duffy

Mr. and Mrs. Eric N. Faerber

Ms. Mary Lou L. Ferrari

Sandy Fink

Ms. Millicent Finkel

Ms. Jacquelyn Finn

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Fischl

Al and Shirley Fortune

Joan and Ron Fox

Mary Fraker

Ralph and Nancy Friedland

Mr. Howard Gatiss

Timothy and Catharine Gaylard

Donald A Goldsmith

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Golub

Albert and Kathleen Gossweiler

Leon and Linda Gottlieb

Mrs. Rebecca Greathouse

Ms. Linda Greene

Mr. John E. Gurski

Ms. Merle Haber

Mr. and Mrs. John Haddock

Carol Ann Hallinger

Gerald and Debby Hamburg

Dr. Edward and Roberta Hamilton

Chris Hardee

Mr. Mark Hatfield

Mr. Richard Hinkle

Mr. Harold Hothan

Mr. David R. Hoyt

Philip H. Hubbell

Mr. David Hudson

Mrs. Charlayne A. Hunter-Gault

Dr. Lawrence M. Hurvitz

Mrs. Gill Ingman

Mr. Adrian Ivancevich

Ms. Sara A. Jones

Gail and Edward Joseph

Adele and Paul Kellman

Ms. Mary E. Kennedy

Mr. Charles Kerr and Ms. Gudrun J. Rice

Charles and Janet Kiblinger

Milton Kimura

Dr. Warren Koontz

Mr. and Mrs. William Korp, in memory of Alisa Kretzmer

Camille and Alan Kramer

Mr. Sergei A. Kravets

William and Lee Krein

Byron Lamm

Mr. and Mrs. Emile Langlois

Mr. and Mrs. Emanuel Lauria

Mr. Fausto Lazo

Ms. Lois R. Lewis

Mrs. Mary S. Lewis

Gabrielle Lucke

Mrs. Elaine MacDonald

Susan Girese, in memory of Anthony Girese

Louise Mazius

Mr. Charles McCord

Mr. William McDowell

Joy McIntyre

Paula McMichael

R. M. Meeker

Matt and Denise Merritt

Ms. Jeanne Murphy

Peggy and Mike Murray

Dr. Philip S. Nash

Charles Nehls

Alexander Nichols

Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Nielsen

Thomas Nixon and Dan Sherbo

Esther and John Northman

Ms. Jean Ogilvie

Ms. Sara Ornstein

John H. Owen and Lynne Lockie

Pat and Ron Pantello

Mr. Richard R. Parent

Lynn and John Paul

Mr. Nancy Peavy

Mrs. Larisa Petty

Dr. Marc Pohl and Carol Pohl

Mr. Robert Pondolfi

Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Pozen

STARS

Muriel E. B. Quinn

Jerry and Carole Reid

Mrs. Janine Reklaitis

Mr. Samuel G. Riello

Ms. Patricia Risse

Ms. Lisa Robenseifner

Jacqueline Robinov

Charles and Noel Robinson

Mrs. Rebecca A. Romich

Mr. Robert E. Ross

Ms. Allyson Rowell and Mr. Thomas Kaplan

Mr. Joel Russell

Ms. Odile Sarti

Candice M. Scheiner

Rodney Schlaffman

Ms. Nancy Schwachter

Ms. Sharon I. Schwartz

Ms. Judith Sear

Carol and Erwin Segal

Ms. Sally Sentner

Mr. Michael A. Shemo

Ms. Sandra Shepherd

Ms. Jeanne Shoemaker

Mr. Dmitry Shtark

Charles and Faith Simmons

Max Skjoldebrand and Jane Coakley

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson Sloane

Mr. Robert M. Small

Mr. Marion Smith

Bogna I. Solak

Louise Spellman

Susan D. Sprague

Mr. Thomas J. Stanczyk

Mrs. Judith Stelian

Lesley Svenson

Dr. Bogdana Tchakarova, in memory of Ivanka Tchakarova

Mr. Greg Thornburg

Pat Tortoretti

Mr. Carl Tursi and Mrs. Jennifer Javier

Ms. Tricia Walcott

Mrs. Margaret H. Walker

Mr. Tom Walker and Ms. Cheryl Watson

Ms. Patricia Wallington

Ms. Sandra W. Warner

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Watkins

Mr. Fred Wells

Mr. Steven Wertheimer

Mr. and Mrs. David Winans

Ms. Sondra Witherington

Mr. Henry Yarhi

Raye Ziring

Rochelle Bard as Abigaille in Sarasota Opera's 2019 production of Verdi's Nabucco. Photo by Rod Millington.

THE ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT FUND

Annual support of the new Artistic Achievement Fund provides resources that allow Sarasota Opera to take the artistic risks that set us apart from similarly sized opera companies. These additional funds will help Sarasota Opera continue to create new productions of rarely seen operas and cover the rising production costs of major works that are important to our mission. To learn more or to make a gift, please call Leadership Giving Officer, Karen Misantone, (941) 366-8450, Ext. 416, or visit SarasotaOpera.org/ArtisticAchievementFund. Gifts and pledges are current as of September 15, 2024. Gifts received after this date will be acknowledged in the 2025 Winter Program Book.

2025 Winter Opera Festival productions supported by the Artistic Achievement Fund

GIUSEPPE VERDI’S STIFFELIO

Founding Contributors

Shari and Steve Ashman

Lynn Blackledge, in memory of Steve Forrest Crawford

Anne Terry Brennan Davis

Dr. Charles and Laura Dale

Live for a Living Fund

Arthur Siciliano and B. Aline Blanchard

Paul and Sharon Steinwachs

Janis and Hobart Swan

Giuseppe Verdi’s Stiffelio

Thank you to these visionary supporters who celebrate Sarasota Opera’s artistic achievements and the mission to bring performances of the highest quality to our community.

Sarasota Opera’s 2020 production of Catalani’s La Wally. Photo: Rod Millington

YOUTH OPERA & EDUCATION FUND

Contributors to the Youth Opera & Education Fund support the most comprehensive youth opera program in the country, providing a unique music education experience to youth from ages 8 to 18, from the greater Sarasota area and beyond. They also support our education programming that brings public, private, and home-schooled students to the Opera House and takes opera to them through in-school performances. In addition, these supporters make it possible for Sarasota Opera to expand its reach into the community through expanded in-school performance opportunities and more community concerts throughout the region.

If you would like more information about supporting the Youth Opera & Education Fund, contact Brenda Tamm at (941) 366-8450 ext. 250 or btamm@sarasotaopera.org, or visit SarasotaOpera.org/YouthOperaEducationFund. Thank you to these contributors for supporting our mission to inspire a life-long love of opera in our community! Gifts and pledges are current as of September 15, 2024. Gifts received after this date will be recognized in the 2025 Winter Program Book.

Champion

($12,000 +)

Les and Carol Brualdi

Les and Carol Brualdi Summer Camp Scholarship Fund

Mr. Kevin Klein and Ms. Rita Radi

Leader

($6,000 - $11,999)

Mr. and Mrs. Stan Abshier

Dr. Alastair Hunter-Henderson and Dr. Noralyn Marshall

Natalie D Pavlovic, MBA

Sarasota Opera Guild

Benefactor

($3,000 - $5,999)

Anonymous

Mr. Alfonso R and Dr. Elizabeth S Aversa

Mr. Jeffrey Bain and Rabbi Anat Moskowitz

Lynn Blackledge, in memory of Steve Blackledge

Dr. Robert L. Fowler and Susan E. Gilbert

Manatee Opera Guild

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob E. Stone

Mrs. Miriam M. Wood

Ambassador

($2,000 - $2,999)

Ms. Anne T. Brennan Davis

Mr. and Mrs. David Chaifetz

Mr. Forrest S. Crawford

Dennis Sherwin Memorial DCO Charitable Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Garden

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Hall

Mr. Doug Holder, in loving memory of Carolyn Ann Holder

Preti Family Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Paul and Sharon Steinwachs

Mr. and Mrs. Don Worthington

Regent

($1,250 - $1,999)

Murray Bring and Kay Delaney

Dr. Joseph and Esther Landin

Memorial Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Sue and Doug Neumann

Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Thinnes

Associate

($600 - $1,249)

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Aubuchon

Ms. Katherine Benoit and Mr. John Brooks

Frances D. Fergusson

Gulf Coast Italian Culture Society

Mrs. Rosemary Iversen

Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith and Dr. Hugh Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Noel Siegel

Zona Spray Starks

Mr. and Mrs. William D. Tompkins

Mr. and Mrs. J. Russell Wiltshire

Advocate

($350 - $599)

Carson Summer Camp Scholarship

Mrs. Edmee M. Geis

Ms. Annelie Gustke

Mr. and Mrs. Peter E. Kretzmer

Mr. Marshall Pearman

Ms. Colette Penn, in memory of Dr. George Straschnov

Mr. C. Louis Putallaz

Carol Von Allmen, in memory of Frank Von Allmen

Mr. James J. Whalen and Mr. Thomas H. Wentz III

Sustainer

($250 - $349)

Brad and Lynda Blaylock

Mr. Matthew Burkmier and Mrs. Sae Tokushige-Burkmier

Mr. Doug Endicott

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Greene

Fr. Jeffrey L. Hamblin MD

Mr. and Mrs. William M. Johnston

Mr. and Mrs. Jack L. Jost

Mrs. Joan S. Langbord

Dr. Richard Wires

Sponsor

($150 - $249)

Dr. Octavio and Mrs. Nela Choy

Dr. and Mrs. Floyd Churn

Mrs. Laylah Loiczly

The Leda Freedman Fund of Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Michael Petrino

Margaret Romanes

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Romley

Joe and Sheila Varady

Supporter

($50 - $149)

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brus

Ms. Nancy S. Bushnell

Mrs. Hope H. Byrnes

Lyndy and David Caplan

Ms. Gail Davey

Tina Garove

Nada B. Glick, in memory of Waldron Kraemer

Patricia Golemme

Mr. Scott Guinn and Mr. Jonathan Courtemanche

D. Anthony Jones

Eve Kanoff

Mr. John Knowles

Jayne Dietsch and Marvin Kowalewski, Ph.D

Lynn Lefebvre

Gabrielle Lucke

Joyce Mailhouse

Drs. Louis and Rosanne Martorella

Joy McIntyre

Linda and Mel McKinley

Paul and Mary Neuhauser

Mr. Alexander Nichols

Betty G. Oberdorf

Dr. Diane Paxman

Peter and Tova Phillipes

Mr. Ivan Radovic

Jerold and Lee Dougherty Ross

Dr. Thomas Schmidlin

Mrs. Ann M. Sears

Mr. Anthony J. Vlahides

Additional support for Youth Opera & Education programs is provided by:

ROBERTA LEVENTHAL SUDAKOFF FOUNDATION

Kretzmer Legacy SOCIETY

KRETZMER LEGACY SOCIETY

The Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer Legacy Society members listed below are opera patrons who have committed a future planned gift to Sarasota Opera. We are grateful to have the opportunity to recognize and thank these generous individuals for their philanthropy and love of this organization.

The Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer Legacy Society members listed below are opera patrons who have committed a future planned gift to Sarasota Opera. We are grateful to have the opportunity to recognize and thank these generous individuals for their philanthropy and love of this organization.

Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer had the wisdom and interest to ensure that Sarasota Opera, an organization that played an important role in their own lives, is supported now and for future generations. They encourage all of our opera patrons to reflect on what Sarasota Opera means to them and to the greater Sarasota community.

Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer had the wisdom and interest to ensure that Sarasota Opera, an organization that played an important role in their own lives, is supported now and for future generations. They encouraged all our opera patrons to reflect on what Sarasota Opera means to them and to the greater Sarasota community.

Planned gifts are a wonderful way to ensure a legacy of great opera for future generations. We hope you will consider joining in support of the future vision of Sarasota Opera. If you are interested in exploring a legacy gift opportunity, please contact Donor Relations Officer Stacy Ridenour at (941) 366-8450, ext. 246 or at sridenour@sarasotaopera.org.

Planned gifts are a wonderful way to ensure a legacy of great opera for future generations. We hope you will consider joining us in support of the future vision of Sarasota Opera. If you are interested in exploring a legacy gift opportunity, please contact Donor Relations Officer Stacy Ridenour at (941) 366-8450, ext. 246 or sridenour@sarasotaopera.org. This Kretzmer Legacy Society member list is current as of September 15, 2024. Legacy commitments received after this date will appear in the 2025 Winter Program Book.

Legacy Society

Anonymous (2)

Anonymous (3)

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie D. Aberson

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie D. Aberson

Stan and Alma Abshier

Stan and Alma Abshier

Jim and Debbie Ainslie

Syble DiGirolamo

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Donohue

Dr. John Mahoney

Ernie and Alisa Kretzmer*

Ms. Peggy C. Allen and Mr. Steven C. Dixon

Mr. Raymond Dispoto, in loving memory of Dr. Jack G. Hutton, Jr.

Antoinette and William Dowling

Patricia Hope Edmonds

In memory of Edwin I. Hope

Virginia and Joseph Mallof

Peter and Melody Kretzmer

Laurie K. Smith and Dr. Gerald L. Shaikun

Richard Russell and Cynthia Bydlinski

Peggy Allen and Steve Dixon

Ms. Carol Anderson

Ms. Carol Anderson

Ron and Barb Archbold

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arthur

Mr. Chuck Angulo and Mrs. Kathleen A. Fisher*

Ron and Barb Archbold

Sumner and Irene Bagby

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Arthur

Patricia Bass

Elisabeth Ault-Meyers Cameron

Edward and Jane* Bavaria

Elizabeth and Rocco Aversa

Mr. Robert T. Benjamin

Sumner and Irene Bagby

Dr. and Mrs. G. Richard Baise

Ms. Katherine Benoit and Mr. John Brooks

Mrs. Ruth Barker

Harmony and Matthew Bertrand

Dolly and Stanley Bass

Lynn and Steve Blackledge

Edward and Jane* Bavaria

Mr. David E. Braun

Mr. Robert T. Benjamin

Anne Terry Brennan Davis

Ms. Katherine Benoit and Mr. John Brooks

Murray Bring and Kay Delaney

Les and Carol Brualdi

Harmony and Matthew Bertrand

A. Scott Bushey

Lynn and Steve* Blackledge

David and Edith Chaifetz

Mr. David E. Braun

Bonnie & William Chapman

Anne Terry Brennan Davis

Ms. Virginia A. Clark

Murray Bring and Kay Delaney

Jerry Cohn

Les and Carol Brualdi

A. Scott Bushey

Jonathan Strickland Coleman and Rick Kerby

Joanne Cashetto

Philip and Suzanne Conover

Edie and David Chaifetz

Forrest S. Crawford

Bonnie and William Chapman

In loving memory of Sally H. Foote

Mr. David Chivas and Mr. Ronald Rice

Ms. Candace A. Crawshaw

Dr. Alan S. Cohen

Susan T. Danis

Jerry Cohn

Syble Di Girolamo

Mr. Raymond Dispoto

Jonathan Strickland Coleman and Rick Kerby

In loving memory of

Dr. Jack G. Hutton, Jr.

Philip and Suzanne Conover

Forrest S. Crawford, in loving memory of Sally H. Foote

Ms. Candace A. Crawshaw

Susan T. Danis

Mr. Richard E. DeGennaro and Ms. Sandy Rath

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Donohue

Melva M. Eidelberg

Douglas W. Endicott

Antoinette and William Dowling

Melva M. Eidelberg

Larry and Carol English

Douglas W. Endicott

Jim and Pati* Ericson

Larry and Carol English

Frances Daly Fergusson

James D. Ericson

Donna L. Fisher

Eleanor C. Faber

Henry and Suzanne* Foster

Frances Daly Fergusson

Joey Frye

James Ferrara

Jorgen* and Gudrun Graugaard

Donna L. Fisher

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Groninger

Henry and Suzanne* Foster

Maryanne and Ray Hazen

Rae and Sanford Frankel

Donna Lynn Hecker

Thomas and Elizabeth Glembocki

Ursula Heitmann

Jorgen* and Gudrun Graugaard

Mr. and Mrs. Jules P. Herbert II

Jill C. Griffin, in Honor of my mother, Dorothy Lee Cunningham, who instilled in me a love of theater, dance and the arts

Doug and Carolyn Ann Holder

Mrs. John A. Howard

Philip Hubbell

Janet Whitney Huelster

Mr.* and Mrs. Mike Groninger

Mr. and Mrs. James* W. Ibberson

Maryanne and Ray Hazen

Frieda and Raymond Johnson

Donna Lynn Hecker

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Kaplan

Mr. and Mrs. Jules P. Herbert II

Ursula Heitmann

Roger and Kristin Kaufman

Marlene Kitchell

The Holder Family, in loving memory of Carolyn Ann Holder

Mrs. John A. Howard

Mr. Waldron Kraemer and Ms. Joan Lovell

Philip H Hubbell

Ernie Kretzmer

In loving memory of Alisa Kretzmer

Janet Whitney Huelster

Mr.* and Mrs. James W. Ibberson

Bruce and Elizabeth Lane

Ms. Judy Jenkins

Mrs. Alice Lazarus

Freida and Raymond* Johnson

Harry Leopold

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Kaplan

Richard A. Macken

Roger and Kristin Kaufman

Alan Kesten

Marlene Kitchell

Mr. and Mrs. E. William Kobernusz

Dr. Joseph and Carol Kreit

Mr. Olaf Maly and Ms. Marita Stepe

Bruce and Elizabeth Lane

John Markham

Mrs. Alice Lazarus

Arthur Siciliano and B. Aline Blanchard

Dr. Henry S. Sauls

Thomas J. Savage

Toby and Noel Siegel

Reg Irvine and Alan Marlor

Harry Leopold

Richard A. Macken

Drs. Louis and Rosanne Martorella

Joan Mathews

Jim and Ann Magee

Louise Mazius

Dr. John Mahoney

Joe and Dede Mallof

Rosemary Albano Mazzanti, M.D. and Walter D. Mazzanti*, M.D.

Gabriel and Valerie Schmergel

Jan and Elliot Silverman

Anne and Alex Scott

Robert L. Singer

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Sobel

Laurie K. Smith and Dr. Gerald L. Shaikun

Mr. Olaf Maly and Ms. Marita Stepe

Claudia McCorkle

Gabe and Linda Moretti

Daniel R. Mandelker and Marlene N. Harris

Lana V. Mullen

Reg Irvine and Alan Marlor

Ms. Karin Murphy

Janet Stern Solomon & Lewis D. Solomon

Arthur Siciliano and B. Aline Blanchard

Ms. Susan Sprague

Toby and Noel Siegel

Pat Starke

Jan and Elliot Silverman

Drs. Louis and Rosanne Martorella

Joan Mathews

Patrick and Kim Nettles

Louise Mazius

Paul and Mary Neuhauser

Mr. John Nigh

Gene and Helene* Noble

Rosemary Albano Mazzanti, M.D. and Walter D. Mazzanti*, M.D.

Claudia McCorkle

Terry and Valerie Osborne

Mary J. Mitchell

Helen Panoyan

Ms. Elizabeth Moore

Peter and Suzy* Phillipes

Linda and Gabe Moretti

Mr. and Mrs. David Porter

Lana V. Mullen

Rose Marie Proietti

Ms. Karin Murphy

O. Walter Renfftlen

Martha Murphy

Mrs. Margaret Renner

Fred Murrell

In memory of Ernst Renner

Patrick and Kim Nettles

Rich and Stacy Ridenour

Paul and Mary Neuhauser

Kay* and Harold Ronson

Alexander Nichols

Laurie Rosin

Mr. John Nigh

Dr. and Mrs. James F. Roth

Terry and Valerie Osborne

Mrs. Dorothy K. Rupp

Helen Panoyan

Dr. Henry S. Sauls

Peter M. and Tova Phillipes

Thomas J. Savage

David and Patricia Porter

Gabriel and Valerie Schmergel

Rose Marie Proietti

Anne and Alex Scott

O Walter Renfftlen

Dr. Allan J. Kennedy and Ms. Isa Engleberg

Mrs. Margaret Renner, in memory of Ernst Renner

Rich and Stacy Ridenour

Margaret Romanes

Laurie Rosin

Mrs. Dorothy K. Rupp

In memory of John Starke

Robert L. Singer

Joe and Nora Stephan

Mr.* and Mrs. Martin Sobel

John Suhre and Carla Koeffler

Janis and Hobart Swan

Janet Stern Solomon & Lewis D. Solomon

Susan D. Sprague

Sid* and Bess Teitelbaum

Zona Spray Starks

Mr. Ky L. Thompson and Ms. Margaret E. Melun

Joe and Nora Stephan

Ms. Susan K. Straus

Bill and Rebecca Tompkins

John G.* & Anna Maria Troiano

John Suhre and Carla Koeffler

Ms. Cheryl Van Messel and Mr. Charles Bross

Sid* and Bess Teitelbaum

Mr. Thomas L. Tengen

Sheila Varady

Ky Thompson and Marge Melun

Michal and Jim Wadsworth

Bill and Rebecca Tompkins

Elton and Gordie White

John G.* and Anna Maria Troiano

Dr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Wieczynski

Eleanor Wilson Williams

Ms. Cheryl Van Messel and Mr. Charles Bross

Sheila Varady

Mr. and Mrs. J. Russell Wiltshire

Mrs. Edie Winston

Michal and Jim Wadsworth

In loving memory of Herb Winston

Elton and Gordie White

Mrs. Joan H. Wood

Dr. and Mrs.

Joseph L. Wieczynski

Don and Rachael Worthington

Sandra and Gary Yakes

Mr. and Mrs. J. Russell Wiltshire

Sharon C. Zimmerman

Don and Rachael Worthington

Sandra and Gary Yakes

* Deceased

Jeanne Yeagle and David Luce*

Sharon C. Zimmerman

14 SARASOTA OPERA FALL SEASON 2021

ENDOWMENT AND LEGACY GIFTS

Sarasota Opera recognizes and thanks the generous individuals who have made an endowment gift to Sarasota Opera. We also honor those who made a legacy provision that has been realized. To learn more about how you can support Sarasota Opera’s endowment now or with a planned gift, please contact Donor Relations Officer Stacy Ridenour at (941) 366-8450, ext. 246 or sridenour@sarasotaopera.org.

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie D. Aberson

Edward Alley

Carl Patton Anderson

Dr. Leonard Apfelbach

Joseph H. Baker

Harry and Harriet Bernbaum

Joseph and Sheila Berner

Joseph and Sylvia Bloom

Beatrice Wood Brown

Bradenton Opera Guild

Les and Carol Brualdi

Raymond L. and Marlynn Buczynski

Inge Burg and George Maltenfort

Richard Cameron

Glenn R. and Jean Carley

John W. Carrier

David and Edith Chaifetz

Bonnie and William Chapman

Sylvia Cohodas

Even T. Collinsworth

Bert and Mary Ellen Criste

Forrest S. Crawford and Sally H. Foote

Dominick DeCecco and E. Patricia Becker DeCecco

Syble Di Girolamo

Danuta Dorozynski

Kathryn Dunlap

Patrica Hope Edmonds, in memory of Edwin I. Hope

Max Eisenbarth

Joel and Ellen Fedder

Kathleen Fisher

Lois Flagg for Bradenton Opera Guild

Jean Lucille Frank

Joey Frye

Joseph and Martha Glass

Herbert and Rita Gold

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Groninger

Robert S. Haft

Foster and Martha Harmon

Perry and Rose Harten

Barry and Casiana Hilton

Mr. W. Paul Hoenle and Ms. Ursula Heitmann

Marie Hoffberg

Huisking Foundation

Charles and Lillian Huisking Fund of the CFSC

Arlene and Henry Jacobs

Elayne Kalberman

In honor of Jonas Kamlet

Mr. Waldron Kraemer

Dr. Morris E. Katz

Charles Kelsea

Gunther and Ilse Kern

Richard Kiegler and Ruthann Sturtevant-Kiegler

Marvin Kowalewski, Ph.D

Alisa and Ernest Kretzmer

Alice Lazarus

Catherine Wingate Levine

John Markham

Reg Irvine and Alan Marlor

Joan Mathews

James G. McDaniel

Mrs. Catherine McNeary

Jane Newman

John and Olga Olenick

F. Warren O’Reilly

Gordon C. and Harriet D. Paske

Betty Jean Peters

Ellen V. Piers

Roland B. Potter

Ila S. Preti

Mary Jo Reston

Rich and Stacy Ridenour

Howard Rooks

Sharon Elizabeth Roth

Camille A. Salls

Sarasota Opera Guild

Dr. Henry S. Sauls

Beatrice Schafer

William E. and Casiana Schmidt

Jan Schmidt

Ulla Searing

Roselyn Sedlezky

Mrs. Stuart R. Silver and family

Arnold Simonsen and Ronda Montminy

Don Smally

David and Barbara Smith

Pat Starke

Robert Stoval

Elissa Soyka and Bud Borax

Joe and Nora Stephan

Theodore and Ann C. Tellstrom

Bill and Rebecca Tompkins

Alma Trainor

Gloria Valair

Anna and Mildred Vlcek

Cynthia Walker

Eileen Walker Watts

Mildred Weissman, in memory of George Weissman

Mrs. Edie Winston, in loving memory of Herb Winston

Sandra and Gary Yakes

Sarasota Opera's production of Britten's The Little Sweep (2023).

Photo by Rod Millington.

CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & PUBLIC SUPPORT

Sarasota Opera’s Corporate, Foundation, and public partners provide key support to our mission to entertain, enrich, and educate our community through the power of the unamplified human voice. To learn more about supporting Sarasota Opera through these programs, contact Senior Development Officer Melissa Voigt at (941) 366-8450, ext. 581 or by email at mvoigt@sarasotaopera.org. Gifts are current as of September 30, 2023. Gifts received after this date will be recognized in the 2024 Winter Program Book.

$150,000 +

$75,000 - $149,999

- $74,999

$25,000 - $49,999

General Operating Support

$50,000

Pavilion Project

2025 Winter Opera Festival

2025 Winter Opera Festival Sponsor; Event Partner: Moonlight & Melodies Dinner Series; Event Partner: Sarasota Opera Annual Gala

Youth Opera & Education Event Partner: The Aficionado Dinner

Youth Opera & Education

Media Sponsor: Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci and Barber of Seville, Moonlight & Melodies, and Sarasota Opera Gala

Giving Challenge

Opera & Education

Corporate Co-Producer: Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci Event Partner: Chamber Trustee & Corporate Appreciation Reception, Da Capo Society Kickoff Party, Season Announcement Event, and Youth Opera & Education Donor Reception

Operating Support

Event Support

Opera & Education

Event Supporter: Kretzmer Legacy Society Appreciation Luncheon, Sarasota Opera Gala General Operating Support

Youth Opera 2024-25 Opera Season Media Partner

Opera & Education

Supporter: Winter Festival Overture Dinner on Stage Youth Opera & Education

Culinary The Bistro • Bridges Restaurant - Embassy Suites* • East West Catering • Element* Evoq - Westin • Five-O Donut Co.* • Gold Coast Eagle Distributing • Happy Soul • Mattison’s • Michaels On East • Molly’s Pub • Nothing Bundt Cakes

22/Grove Restaurant • Rose & Ivy • Sage • Selva Grill* • The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota • Wolfie’s Deli *Donated gift cards for raffle fundraiser with a value of $100 and higher.

TERI A HANSEN,

The Pavilion Project

REPLACING THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

The Deane Carroll Allyn Pavilion is an important part of the Sarasota Opera House complex. It houses our Education and Youth Opera program, our box office, rehearsal spaces, library, and production offices.

When we launched our Pavilion Project appeal last year, we knew were counting the minutes until the system failed completely and stressed how urgent it was that we raise the nearly $700,000 it would cost to replace it.

And sure enough, in May 2024, the system died.

Happily we had the funds in place and equipment ordered to replace the air conditioning during the summer. Below are some photos of that extraordinary effort

Now, we have a new redesigned system that not only cools the air in the Pavilion, but also the Opera House. The old Opera House system (installed in 2008) will serve as a backup to both buildings.

We are extremely grateful to all of the donors who supported this project. Sarasota Opera especially appreciates the Steinwachs Family Foundation who provided a $250,000 match that enabled us to reach our goal to fully-fund the project.

And as a postscript, because this system was fully functioning and didn’t lose power during Hurricane Milton, we were able to minimize the damage caused when the hurricane force winds damaged the roof to the Pavilion. But that’s another story.

All donors to the Pavilion Project will be recognized in our 2025 Winter Opera Festival Program book.

2024 - 2025

FALL AND WINTER SEASON

GISELLE PROGRAM TWO

November 22 - 23, 2024

Sarasota Opera House

Sir Peter Wright's Giselle

FANCIFUL JOURNEY PROGRAM THREE

December 20 - 21, 2024

Sarasota Opera House

George Balanchine's Rubies

Edwaard Liang's Wunderland (Company Premiere)

Sir David Bintley's The Spider's Feast (World Premiere)

QUINTESSENTIAL PROGRAM FOUR

January 31 - February 3, 2025

FSU Center for the Performing Arts

Renato Paroni's Rococo Variations

Paul Taylor's Brandenburgs

Gemma Bond's World Premiere

Venice Performing Arts Center

December 13 - 14, 2024

Accompanied by the Venice Symphony

Sarasota Opera House

December 22 - 23, 2024

Daniel Pratt | Photo by Matthew Holler