JOIN US AND EXPERIENCE THE EXTRAORDINARY
THE 2017–18 SARASOTA OPERA SEASON

Sarasota has become one of the most vibrant Florida communities. Our city has grown from a sleepy beach getaway to an international Arts destination. At the center of this community is Sarasota Opera—as unique as our Florida home.

When you step into our theater—with the perfect size and acoustics for live opera—you’ll leave the outside world behind for an unforgettable experience of music, lights, costumes, sets and vocals.

Welcome to our world of kings and queens, heroes and villains, passionate love, intense drama, and the inextinguishable power of the human spirit.

This is Sarasota Opera

THE 2017 FALL OPERA SEASON
NOVEMBER 3—21, 2017

LA TRAVIATA
By Giuseppe Verdi
November 3, 5m, 8, 14, 16, 19m, 21
Violetta, a famed Parisian courtesan, has lived a life of lavish parties with influential friends. She abandons it all to be with her beloved Alfredo, but when her past threatens his family’s honor, she must forsake her dream of love. Verdi’s awe-inspiring music combined with a heart-breaking libretto has made La traviata one of the repertoire cornerstones of opera companies around the world.

ROOTABAGA COUNTRY: A YOUTH OPERA WORLD PREMIERE
By Rachel J. Peters
November 11 & 12
After a nationwide search, we are proud to announce that composer/librettist Rachel J. Peters has been chosen to compose Sarasota Youth Opera’s new commission—Rootabaga Country.
Ms. Peters explains that the work has a “sincere message of tolerance and inclusiveness in a cultural climate where the simple act of growing up is more confusing than ever before.” This adaptation of Carl Sandburg’s 1922 Rootabaga Stories will have its world premiere by Sarasota Youth Opera in November 2017. Sponsored by the Les and Carol Brualdi Foundation

THE 2018 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL
FEBRUARY 10–MARCH 25, 2018

MANON LESCAUT
By Giacomo Puccini
February 10, 14, 18m, 20, 24
March 1, 4m, 17, 23
Love at first sight strikes the Chevalier Des Grieux and the enchanting Manon Lescaut. They flee to Paris, but when Des Grieux’s money runs out, Manon leaves him for a wealthy man. Yet despite the jewels and parties, Manon’s love for Des Grieux is inextinguishable and will burn them in ways they do not foresee.

CARMEN
By Georges Bizet
February 17, 22, 25m, 27
March 2, 7, 9, 13, 16, 22, 24m
All-consuming, ill-fated passion rules the tumultuous love of a
gypsy and a corporal. Carmen will take you on a journey through Seville, to the mountains with the smugglers, and finally to the bullring, where Carmen and Don José’s story comes to its tragic end. Hear some of the most recognizable music in opera, like
the “Habanera” and the “Seguidilla,” and feel the excitement of the famous “Toreador Song.”

NORMA
By Vincenzo Bellini
March 3, 6, 8, 11m, 14, 17m, 20, 24
In Roman-occupied Gaul, a Druid priestess and a Roman official—Norma and Pollione—have fallen in love. Defying her sacred vows, Norma has borne two children, but Pollione’s sights are now set on Adalgisa, a temple virgin. The scorned Norma contemplates murder, but as her heart battles between love and duty, she chooses to be cleansed by the flames of a sacrificial pyre.

TIEFLAND
By Eugen d’Albert
March 10, 15, 18m, 21, 25m
Marta is the unwilling mistress of a wealthy landowner, Sebastiano. To keep the poor girl near him while he takes a wealthy wife, Sebastiano marries Marta off to the shepherd, Pedro. Unaware of her past, Pedro falls in love with her. When Marta’s awful secret comes to light, Pedro does whatever it takes to free his beloved from her misery.

This passionate example of early 20th century verismo opera is seen regularly in Germany and Austria, but there has been only one other U.S. production in a century.

Check out our full calendar at sarasotaopera.org