Sensational Opera Weekends in Sunny Sarasota

The winter home of the greatest show on earth, the Ringling Brothers Circus, is also the home of one of the most critically acclaimed regional opera companies in the world, the Sarasota Opera. Each year, all four of their productions are performed in a sequential schedule that allows visitors to see them all in one long weekend, a rare opportunity for opera aficionados.

As an added bonus, while winter is "going out like a lion" in many opera-centric cities like New York, Chicago, London, and Rome, the weather in Sarasota is postcard-perfect with temperatures in the high 70's and low 80's. Located on the west coast of Florida, 57 miles south of Tampa, Sarasota has long been a cultural oasis in a state more well known for its beaches than its fine arts programs. World-class golf and tennis resorts, the sparkling blue water of the Gulf of Mexico, sophisticated dining, and the renowned Ringling Museum of Art add to the allure of the winter arias.

The Sarasota Opera's 2006 season features one of the most popular, bread-and-butter operas in the world, Giacomo Puccini's La bohème, a romantic love story set in 19th century Paris. A new production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro honors the 250th anniversary of that great composer's birth, and both L'Opera and Opera News rave about the humorous operetta by Johann Strauss, Jr. Die Fledermaus calling it " a brilliant new production" and "a fun, frothy, concoction."

Maestro Victor DeRenzi presents the 24th opera in his ambitious Verdi Cycle, the Sarasota Opera's mission to perform all thirty-three works in Giuseppe Verdi's repertoire, scheduled to be completed in the bicentennial anniversary year of Verdi's birth. This year's selection , I masnadieri (The Robbers), was written specifically for the London audience. It's premiere in 1847 starred the legendary "Swedish nightingale" Jenny Lind, and was attended by Queen Victoria. Based on a play by German dramatist Friedrich von Schiller, this chilling tale of sibling rivalry features an outstanding overture and rousing choruses.

As affordable as they are attractive, Opera Lover's Weekends offer single ticket prices ranging from $18 for the upper balcony to $79 for a front orchestra seat, with a 5% discount for the total weekend package. A visitor's series package for the upper balcony comes in at under $70 for all 4 shows, while the premium orchestra seat package is a little under $400. 2006 Packages are available for March 3-5, 10-12, and 17-19.

The Sarasota Opera is housed in a 1926 Mediterranean revival theater built by the city's first mayor, A.B. Edwards. By 1973, human neglect, a major hurricane and the ravages of time left the theatre dark, destroyed and vacant. A small group called the Asolo Opera Guild, who had been performing in a 250-seat theatre on the Ringling grounds, bought the property and became the 7th opera company in the United States to own their house. After a complete renovation, the building was placed on the National Historic Register in 1983, fully restored to its original Art Deco glory.

New York's OPERA NEWS says:

"With the dimensions of the Opera House, which almost guarantee an engaging experience between the audience and singers, and DeRenzi's full throttle approach to each work, whether he's conducting it or not, a dull performance at the Sarasota Opera is hard to come by."

For both opera lovers and first-timers, the intimacy of the gorgeous 1000-seat Opera House gives the audience the exciting experience of almost being on the stage with the performers, and the addition of English subtitles make the shows accessible to audiences from around the world.

For a winter beach getaway with a sophisticated twist, the Sarasota Opera's Lovers Weekends offer relaxation and stimulation in equal measures.

For tickets or more information, contact the Sarasota Opera at (888) OPERA-12 , (941) 366-8450 or online at www.Sarasotaopera.org

IF YOU GO:

The Sarasota /Bradenton airport is served by Delta, Continental, US Airways, Air Tran, and ATA. Nearby, and considerably larger, Tampa International is served by all major carriers including Jet Blue and Southwest, and is an hour's drive from Sarasota. Upscale hotels include the Ritz-Carlton and the Hyatt Regency offering deluxe accommodations close to the Opera and downtown restaurants, with rates beginning at $339 for the Ritz and $281 for the Hyatt. Budget options begin at $79 for the Super 8 and Howard Johnson motels, with mid-range properties like the Marriott Courtyard and Holiday Inn coming in between $110-$150 per night.
Helpful links:
www.sarasotaopera.org
www.sarasotafl.org
www.sarasota-arts.org
www.srg-ariport.com

www.ritzcarlton.com
(941) 309-2000
www.hyatt.com
(941) 953-1234
www.hotels-rates.com/Sarasota/FL/usa