sarasota opera

We had tickets for the matinee performance of the Russian opera, The Golden Cockerel, and we arrived early so we could attend the introduction presentation by one of the Sarasota Opera's experts. The introduction presentation was good and cleared up the question of what kind of an opera performance would we see at 1:30 pm on Sunday! During the first act I fell asleep at least 10 times. I think the Opera folks turned the AC off and it got progressively warmer as the first act went on. The sets were colorful and the performers were loud but I can't remember a single tune that they sang! The music just wasn't great and it didn't get any better after over 3 hours of three acts with breaks in between. We'll skip this opera in the future and you might do the same.

This year's production of Tosca and Figaro have been world class. Although singers are not in the same league as the Met, they display youthful vigor and outstanding acting ability. The musicians and sets are superb, making these performances memorable. Yet to see this season is Cockerel and Don Carlo, but judging from the local paper's reviews they surely will not disappoint.

" Marriage of Figaro" .The seats were very comfortable. Unfortunately, our seats were in the balcony which made it hard for my husband to see. Good Performance...Went to eat at Patricks, first and walked around Sarasota, great night out.The Opera House itself is beautiful...People were very dressed up or not, and no shorts.(for the evening)

Everyone is raving (and so well deserved) about the sets and costumes ... but the singing (in Russian) and the music (Rimsky Korsokov) is just as delightful and intriguing. My advise is to read the synopsis and libretto. Although you have subtitles, some music can be missed as you read since this is a less familiar work. Do your homework, its worth it!Bravi Tutti!

We attended opening night of Tosca and were delighted. The opera house itself is wonderful, dating back to 1926 and having undergone a major restoration in 2008. The staging was excellent, the orchestra phenomenal, and the characters of Tosca, Scarpio and the Sacristan well voiced and superbly acted.

If you like Opera, you cannot help but like this Opera House and everything about it (except for the space between the rows). The performances are as good and sometimes better than some of the biggest names, including the Met, LaScala etc. The staging, the orchestra, the performers absolutely outstanding. We that live in Sarasota and are opera enthusiasts are very proud of our OPERA HOUSE and OUR MAESTRO. There are not enough adjectives to use when you want to describe this venue and compared to what is charged in other houses this one is a bargain. They say you cannot judge a book by its cover, WELL, you cannot judge this opera house by its price. People come from all over the world to our Opera House in the last two weeks of the season because they can see all 4 operas, that were performed for the season, in just one week. FANTASTICA, as they say!

I am a native and remember when the opera house was first built. David Hall supervised the original construction. It has come a long way toward excellence since the first opening. The Opera house is built around the remnants of the old Ritz movie theater and was engineered to get the theater up to acoustic excellence. I have seen a few operas and other events here. I like the performances and have no qualm with the selected repertoire. If you do not like the opera being performed, stay home. The seating is nicely tiered in the opera house and the performances have acoustic balance in all areas of the hall. The seating is both comfortable and roomy. I have seen several performances at this venue and the opera company, and other performers, each did an excellent job. I have attended opera in Los Angeles and New York numerous times and find the Sarasota Opera house a small but enjoyable venue. The opera here does not always have the top tier performers but each performance here is very well done, reasonably priced and enjoyable.

The opera house is beautiful and is owned by the opera company. The performances are great. I love the Sarasota opera!

Great venue and great productions! I've been to probably 7 operas here, and all have been fantastic. And don't worry if the opera is in a foreign language .... subtitles are provided.

My second time to visit the Opera House and it won't be my last. The first was for an opera and tonight was for a concert with the great Itzhak Perlman. Great accoustics, comfortable seating and delightful volunteers and staff. First rate in every sence.

My daughter had a play in with Itzhak Perlman. It was a rehearsal for the Perlman Institute orchestra. I was impressed with the venue. Comfortable seats, small enough that it felt intimate, everything was clean. Lobby was bright, the courtyard was lovely. Looked like they did a great job on a renovation. Can't wait to come back.

as good as New York, Vienna, more intimate , great acting and fabulous voices, costumes, set design excellent

Ok, so I have have never actually heard an opera here; but, I have been in this opera house many, many times. For years, I have attended the Sarasota Baptist Church's Christmas pageant here. It is a beautiful building and I love going there. The acoustics were always good, and all the seats were good. Great place.

The opera is one of the reasons we moved to the Sarasota area. Great performances in a lovely theater.

Wonderful Sarasota Symphony musicians, conductor who is a Verdi expert, singers and chorus are exceptional, a magnificent venue. Easy parking--what else could you ask for?