Sarasota Opera Unveils New Artist Housing

On Tuesday, March 21st, Sarasota Opera officially dedicated the newly built Steinwachs Artist Residences for Sarasota Opera located at 1444 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota, FL. The building is part of a larger complex called Rosemary Square which, in addition to condominiums, will include retail and office space. The event included a ribbon cutting ceremony with Sharon and Paul Steinwachs, for whom the building was named, and a short performance of the "Valentine's Day Chorus" from the opera Les Hueguenots by Giacomo Meyerbeer.

The dedication of the building was the result of a very generous capping grant given by the Steinwachs Family Foundation. Additional gifts of support were given by Ernie Kretzmer, Claudia McCorkle, Janet Schmidt, Robert and Anne Essner, Steve and Lynn Blackledge, Les and Carol Brualdi, Noel and Toby Siegel, the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation, and many other donors.

"Finding quality housing for our artists is an issue that has grown more complicated each season, both in cost and availability," says Executive Director Richard Russell. "Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the wonderful work of Dr. Kauffman and Jonathan Parks, we are excited to be able to offer a comfortable home-away-from-home to our artists while they are in residence at Sarasota Opera."

After the official ground breaking on August 7, 2016, construction began on a new development designed to be a mixed-use complex at 1440 Boulevard of the Arts between Central and Lemon Avenues called Rosemary Square. Sarasota Opera took occupancy on January 9, 2017.

Developed by Dr. Mark Kauffman and partners, and designed by architect Jonathan Parks, Rosemary Square will include retail, office space, and condominium units. Sarasota Opera purchased 30 units (16 three-bedroom, 8 two-bedroom, and 6 one-bedroom apartments) in the new development which serves as housing for artists and members of the artistic staff during the company's fall and winter seasons. This new building has allowed the company to increase its available housing from 43 to 70 company members. Sarasota Opera sold its 16 unit Ringling Terrace Apartments in May of 2015 for $3 million and successfully fundraised the remaining $2.5 million to cover the balance of the costs. Out of season, Sarasota Opera plans to rent available units to other arts groups and non-profits.

ABOUT SARASOTA OPERA

Based on Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast, Sarasota Opera recently completed its 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.

(Photo Credit: Sam Lowry)