Sarasota Opera

THE 2026-27 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. Described by Musical America as 'one of the finest venues for opera in the United States.'

THE 2026 FALL SEASON
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 14, 2026

HANSEL AND GRETEL 
Music by Engelbert Humperdinck
Libretto by Adelheid Wette
- October 30
​- November 1m, 4, 10, 12, 14m 

Youthful wonder, courage, and strength in an enchanted forest.
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fable, the story follows two siblings who stray into the forest, encounter a beguiling Gingerbread Witch, and find courage in the face of peril. Musically sophisticated but accessible for all ages, Hansel and Gretel blends rich orchestration with folk‑like melodies. The opera conveys a journey from hardship and temptation to wonder and homecoming, offering a timeless reflection on innocence, resourcefulness, and the power of family.

ROOTABAGA COUNTRY
Music and Libretto by Rachel J. Peters
- November 7, 8m

A whimsical journey of imagination, family, and self‑discovery.
Inspired by Carl Sandburg’s Rootabaga Stories, this whimsical adventure follows Gimme the Ax and his children, Please Gimme and Ax Me No Questions, as they journey through the imaginative—but not magical—landscape of Rootabaga Country to learn more about the mother they never knew. Musically crafted for young voices yet rich in character, Rootabaga Country blends playful storytelling with heartfelt themes. Along the way, the family discovers that love and belonging come in many forms, offering a gentle, resonant reflection on curiosity, courage, and the shape of family.

THE 2027 WINTER OPERA FESTIVAL 
FEBRUARY 6 – MARCH 21, 2027 

LA TRAVIATA 
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
- February 6, 9, 11, 14m, 20m, 26
- March 3, 11, 13, 17, 20m

Elegance, sacrifice, and poignant romance in 19th‑century Paris.
One of the most enduring works in the repertoire, this is the moving story of Violetta Valéry, a celebrated courtesan whose unexpected love for Alfredo Germont conflicts with her world of parties and pleasure and forces her to make the ultimate sacrifice. Verdi’s music seamlessly weaves elegance and drama, underscoring the timeless tale of Violetta’s love and selfless devotion.

H.M.S. PINAFORE
Music by Arthur Sullivan
Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
- February 13, 16, 18, 21m, 24, 28m
- March 5, 12, 19

Spirited satire, romance, and mischief aboard a Royal Navy ship.
Sarasota Opera's inaugural staging of a Gilbert and Sullivan work, H.M.S. Pinafore is a cornerstone of Victorian comic operetta, where questions of love and social rank spark humor and delight. At the center of this story, set aboard a British Navy ship, is the earnest sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain's daughter, whose affection challenges the strict hierarchies of their world. The uproarious satire includes witty patter songs and memorable melodies that make it a perennial favorite for audiences of all ages. 

ARIADNE AUF NAXOS
Music by Richard Strauss
Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
- February 27
- March 2, 4, 7m, 10, 13m

Rivalry, comedy, and mythical reinvention in Vienna.
A dazzling operatic fusion of myth and comedy, the story begins with a lively backstage prologue in which an opera troupe and a comedy ensemble are forced to perform together. The resulting spectacle sets the mythical, mournful Ariadne alongside the playful Zerbinetta and her band of comedians. The opera showcases Strauss’s gift for intertwining emotional depth with theatrical spectacle, masterfully balancing lush lyricism and clever playfulness.

JENŮFA
Music and Libretto by Leoš Janáček
- March 6, 9, 14m, 18, 21m

Tradition, tragedy, and hidden truths in a Moravian village.
This landmark Czech opera is a captivating work of realism and emotional depth, following young Jenůfa as she endures hardship, love, and the unyielding expectations of her village. Central to the drama is the Kostelnička, Jenůfa’s stepmother – played by world renowned soprano Karita Mattila in her Sarasota Opera debut – whose desperate attempt to protect her stepdaughter leads to tragic consequences.

Check out our full calendar at sarasotaopera.org