For the Love of Opera: Arthur Siciliano and B. Aline Blanchard

By Tom Reese | Photo by Nancy Guth

Arthur Siciliano and his wife B. Aline Blanchard have been patrons and supporters of Sarasota Opera for quite some time, being involved in different ways throughout several years. Today, Arthur is the Chair of the Board of Trustees, and the couple continues to donate and do work for the organization to ensure our beloved opera company thrives for generations to come. 

Arthur grew up in Boston and obtained a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy before obtaining his PhD in medicinal chemistry and an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurship. After an illustrious career, he retired early in 2003, and he quickly settled into the Florida lifestyle with Aline. 

Aline grew up in New Jersey. She majored in English and Psychology at Butler University and had a diverse career path encompassing social work, teaching, editing and writing. She is a published novelist and poet. Since 2008, Aline has had an art studio in Venice, and continues to paint, sculpt, and create mixed-media pieces. 

“We were actually introduced to each other through a telephone blind date in 1978 while we were both working in New Jersey,” said Aline. “We got acquainted by talking on the phone for weeks before meeting in person. We fell in love and later got married in 1983—and the rest is history.”

After visiting Aline’s family in Florida, they purchased their first vacation home in 1995 in Venice. In 2019, they moved to the heart of Sarasota to be closer to the many arts organizations they love and live within walking distance of their favorite things to do. 

The couple have both had a passion for opera since they were young. Aline’s father was a professional classical French horn player, and she attended her first opera as a small child at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Arthur’s family is of Italian heritage, and he grew up listening to records at home of opera singers such as Enrico Caruso. Already in love with opera, he began attending live performances around the age of eleven.

The couple first attended performances at Sarasota Opera in 1995 when they lived in Venice part time. When they retired, they got season subscriptions to Sarasota Opera and became more involved. Arthur first joined the board in 2015 and is now its current board chair. The couple holds eight season subscriptions to arts organizations in Sarasota, attending as many performances and events as possible. 

Their primary motivation for becoming philanthropic donors of Sarasota Opera was to ensure the art of opera would live on for future generations. One way for Arthur and Aline to do this is through their participation in the Kretzmer Legacy Society, where members are patrons who have committed a future planned gift to Sarasota Opera through their wills, life insurance, retirement fund beneficiary designations, charitable gift annuities, or charitable trusts. 

Another Sarasota Opera need to ensure involvement for future generations is through support of its youth programs. The Sarasota Youth Opera stands out as a premier example of opera education in the nation. It’s the one and only program in the United States that showcases a fully staged youth opera production each year, complete with a professional orchestra, elaborate sets and costumes. 

“If people aren’t exposed to the arts like opera when they are young, they may never be,” said Aline. “We love supporting Sarasota Youth Opera and its school programs because it can enrich students’ lives. I still have students I took to performances nearly 40 years ago reach out to me and thank me for introducing them to the magic of live performances. That is its power.”

Sarasota Opera would not survive without the support of donors like Arthur and Aline. The amount of money and manpower it takes to stage these breathtaking performances is significant, and philanthropy is crucial. 

“As is the case with Sarasota Opera, only about 30% of our expenses are covered by ticket sales,” said Arthur. “Grants, contributions, and donations are critical to keep the company going. It’s up to the people that love these local arts organizations to keep them successful— that’s why we’ve donated.” 

The 2025 Winter Opera Festival launches February 15 with Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci, a two-act performance of two operas, two betrayed husbands, and two tragic ends. This performance runs through March 29. This is followed by performances of the beloved comedic work The Barber of Seville from February 22 to March 29.  

From March 8 to 28, there will be performances of The Marriage of Figaro, a four-act opera continuing the story of The Barber of Seville. In true Sarasota Opera fashion, the season will conclude with a Giuseppe Verdi opera, Stiffelio, an emotionally charged work that is now recognized as an important one by the great Verdi.

“Live performances are just so much different than recorded ones,” said Aline. “People are so surprised when they go for the first time and realize that it can be a whole-body experience—something you may feel and not just see and hear. My skin tingles.” 

Sarasota Opera will always need help from our community to continue producing first-class performances for our enjoyment. Whether it be a one-time individual donation, a tribute or legacy gift, or continued support and involvement, philanthropy is key to longevity of the company.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Sarasota Opera, or to become involved, please visit www.sarasotaopera.org/support.