Opera Sarasota Partners With Alliance Francaise For First Time In DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES: BEYOND THE STAGE, Today

For the first time, Sarasota Opera and the Sarasota chapter of the Alliance Française will partner to present a free program entitled "Dialogues of the Carmelites: Beyond the Stage" on Wednesday, February 15th at 7pm in the Kamlet Library at the Sarasota Opera House. The program is designed to offer a literary, historical, and musical view of Francis Poulenc's opera Dialogues of the Carmelites which will make its Sarasota Opera debut on March 4th and run for 6 performances through March 24th. Presenters include Dr. Jocelyn Van Tuyl and Dr. MaribetH Clark, both of New College, Jonathan Coleman, Esq, and Sarasota Opera artists.

A reception at which guests will be invited to meet our presenters will immediately follow the presentation.

Premiered in 1957 at Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the opera was adapted by Francis Poulenc from a 1947 screenplay by Georges Bernanos which is based on real events during the French Revolution's infamous "Reign of Terror." Dialogues of the Carmelites tells the story of Blanche de la Force as she goes against the wishes of her aristocratic family and dedicates her life to God's service by joining a Carmelite order. The revolution threatens to destroy all that is most sacred to the nuns. Blanche's faith is put to the ultimate test to choose between life and following her sacred calling through to the end.

"Dialogues of the Carmelites is one of the most powerful operas in the repertoire with important historical and cultural references," says Executive Director Richard Russell. "I am grateful for our partnership with the Alliance Française and their help in exploring those important topics."

This is a free event but space is limited. To reserve your spot, contact Travis Rogers, Assistant Manager of Patron Services, at (941) 366-8450, ext. 230 or at trogers@sarasotaopera.org.

Date: Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Time: 7:00pm

Location: Kamlet Library, Sarasota Opera House

61 North Pineapple Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Based on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera recently completed its 57th consecutive season and the final season of the company's internationally acclaimed Verdi Cycle making it the only company in the world to have performed every work of Giuseppe Verdi.

In 1960, the company began presenting chamber-sized repertoire in the historic 320-seat Asolo Theater on the grounds of Sarasota's Ringling Museum of Art. Recognizing the need for a theater more conducive to opera, the company purchased the former A.B. Edwards Theater in downtown Sarasota in 1979 and first performing in it in 1984 as the Sarasota Opera House. The theater has just undergone a $20 million renovation and rehabilitation enhancing audience amenities, while updating the technical facilities including increasing the size of the orchestra pit. The theater, which reopened in March 2008, has been called "one of America's finest venues for opera" by Musical America.

Since 1983, the company has been under the artistic leadership of Victor DeRenzi and administrative leadership of Executive Director Richard Russell since 2012. The company has garnered international attention with its Masterwork Revivals Series, which presents neglected works of artistic merit, as well as the Verdi Cycle producing the complete works of Giuseppe Verdi. Recognizing the importance of training, Maestro DeRenzi founded the Apprentice Artist and Studio Artist programs. Sarasota Opera also maintains a commitment to education through its Invitation to Opera performances for local schools and the unique Sarasota Youth Opera program.

Sarasota Opera is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Programs are supported in part by an award the Tourist Development Tax through the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and the Sarasota County Arts Council. Additional funding is provided by the City of Sarasota and the County of Sarasota.