Sarasota Opera Announces Changes to Fall Season, Plans Alternative Programming

Sarasota, FL— Due to the uncertainty of being able to gather safely in a theater in November, Sarasota Opera is cancelling the scheduled mainstage production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and the Sarasota Youth Opera production of The Hobbit. The “Night in Italy” concert, scheduled for November 7, and the Concert at Noon scheduled for November 13 are also cancelled. The Taste of Downtown event scheduled for September 26 will also not be held, but the company is exploring ways to continue this important Youth Opera Fundraiser in another form.

Sarasota Opera’s fall season will consist of concerts utilizing resident artists. A concert with singers and piano on stage at the Sarasota Opera House will be live-streamed on the internet on November 13, 2020. If conditions allow for an in-person audience, an announcement will be made at a later date. The “OperaMobile” will return in November with Resident Artists performing throughout Sarasota. If conditions allow, the Company will also be scheduling concerts at outdoor venues in Sarasota, to be announced later. The “Curtain Raiser Dinner” is still scheduled to be held on October 25, subject to prevailing conditions. In addition, Sarasota Opera hopes to begin a modified HD at the Opera House and Classic Movies at the Opera House series in September or October, depending on then-current health conditions.

The Sarasota Youth Opera fall semester will begin virtually in August. An alternative Sarasota Youth Opera presentation will be scheduled for Spring 2021.

No changes have been made to the Winter Opera Festival which is scheduled to run from Feb. 6 through March 21. Sarasota Opera will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make adjustments as appropriate. Single tickets for the Winter Opera Festival will go on sale on September 1, 2020.

Executive Director Richard Russell states, “Despite our disappointment in having to cancel our mainstage activities, we do not plan to be silent. Our intention is that opera remains in the hearts and minds of our supporters, our audience, and our community through this difficult time.”

Sarasota Opera suspended its 61st season after the March 12 performance of La Wally, yet paid all of their artists and crew for the entire season.

Ticket holder Information
Ticket holders to the canceled performances will automatically be issued a refund by August 31, unless they choose to contact the box office at 941-328-1300 to donate their tickets. Donors and ticket buyers are encouraged to consider a tax-deductible gift to the Sarasota Opera Relief Fund, to support the company during this challenging time. Contributions can be made online at https://SarasotaOpera.org or by calling the box office.