Richard Russell

Manchester International Festival 2025 to Open with New Works Across the City
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 3, 2025

Manchester International Festival 2025 officially gets underway at 6pm today as a herd of life-sized puppet animals stampede through the streets of Manchester to launch the festival, travelling north to flee climate disaster. Learn how to attend!

Sarasota Opera Receives $50,000 Grant From Selby Foundation For Piano Purchase
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2025

Sarasota Opera has been awarded a $50,000 traditional grant for Spring 2025 from The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation to assist in the purchase of seven new pianos, including three Boston baby grand pianos and four upright pianos.

Full Cast Set For The World Premiere of LIBERATION at Royal Exchange Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Apr 29, 2025

Liberation, a new play by poet and playwright Ntombizodwa Nyoni, directed by Monique Touko, will receive its World Premiere as part of Manchester International Festival 2025.

See 2025 Sarasota Opera Productions for Free This Spring at The Bay
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 1, 2025

Although Sarasota Opera's Winter Festival has ended, area residents will have the opportunity this spring to view recorded performances of three operas from this year's season for free at The Bay park, the blue-and-green gathering place in downtown Sarasota!

Sabrina Carpenter, Chappell Roan, & More Win 2025 GRAMMY Awards- Full List of Winners
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 2, 2025

It's music's biggest night! Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars, and more took home awards at The 67th Annual GRAMMYs, now available to rewatch on Paramount+. Check out the full list of GRAMMY winners here!

Sarasota Opera Names New Board Members
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 29, 2025

Victor DeRenzi, Sarasota Opera's artistic director and Richard Russell, general director, have announced the addition of six new members to the organization's Board of Trustees — David Bialosky, Joseph Mallof, Sue Neumann, Alastair Hunter-Henderson, Tamara Jacobs, and Thomas Garden.

Sarasota Opera Expands Marketing Department
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2025

As Sarasota Opera’s winter season approaches, the company has expanded its marketing staff. Learn more about the new additions to the staff and the company here!

Aaron Lazar, Barbra Streisand, & More Nominated For 2025 GRAMMYS - Full List of Nominations
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 8, 2024

Aaron Lazar, Barbra Streisand, Ariana Grande more were nominated for GRAMMYS. Check out the full list of nominations now! The Outsiders, Suffs and more were nominated in the Best Musical Theatre Album category.

Sarasota Opera Expands Development Department
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 16, 2024

As Sarasota Opera's Fall and Winter seasons approach, the company has expanded its development staff and promoted a longtime employee.

Melissa Voigt Named Director of Development at Sarasota Opera
by Stephi Wild - Jun 20, 2024

Melissa Voigt has been named Director of Development of Sarasota Opera. Her promotion was recently announced by General Director Richard Russell and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi.

Ron DeSantis Vetoes Nearly All Florida Arts Funding
by Joshua Wright - Jun 18, 2024

Florida arts and culture organizations are taking another financial hit as many are still focusing on post-pandemic recover as Governor Ron DeSantis has eliminated most state funding for cultural programs.

Sarasota Opera To Host 3rd Annual National Finals Of Schmidt Vocal Competition In June
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 26, 2024

Experience the thrill of opera at the 3rd Annual National Finals of the Schmidt Vocal Competition, hosted by SARASOTA OPERA. Witness the future of opera as talented vocalists compete for the top spot.

Sarasota Opera Will Perform Haydn's DECEIT OUTWITTED This Week
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2024

Once again Sarasota Opera will produce a rarely heard work by a major composer when Joseph Haydn’s Deceit Outwitted (L’infedeltà delusa) opens, the last work in the company’s 2024 Winter Opera Festival.

Sarasota Opera Reveals 2024-25 Opera Season
by Stephi Wild - Feb 13, 2024

Sarasota Opera has announced its 2024-25 Opera Season. Learn more about the lineup here!

Sarasota Opera Receives $5,000 Grant From Manatee Community Foundation For Education Outreach
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 9, 2023

Sarasota Opera has been awarded a grant from the Jay K. Turner Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation to expand its education outreach activities through the Resident Artist program in Manatee County schools.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 07th, 2023
by - Nov 7, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is  November 07, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Giggs & Diddy to Perform Together in a Special One-Night-Only Event in London
by Michael Major - Oct 30, 2023

Giggs and Diddy are set to deliver a groundbreaking performance at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London, come Tuesday, November 7th. This collaboration brings together two titans of the hip-hop and music world for a special one-night-only event, creating a ‘not to be missed’ experience for fans.

Sarasota Opera Receives $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 26, 2023

Sarasota Opera has received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant made possible through the Wiliam S. and Jean W. Scott Endowed Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Sarasota Opera Hosts A Volunteer Fair At Sarasota Opera House
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 18, 2023

Sarasota Opera will host a Volunteer Fair at the Sarasota Opera House on Sunday, October 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. Those attending this event will be able to learn about a variety of behind-the-scenes, onstage and front-of-house volunteer opportunities, and see how they can be a part of this vital community. This event will also feature informative backstage tours of the historic Sarasota Opera House and a performance by Sarasota Opera Fall Resident Artists.

Sarasota Opera to Hold Open Call for 2024 Winter Productions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2023

Sarasota Opera is holding an open call for supernumeraries for its 2024 Winter Opera Festival. Find out how you can be a part of the upcoming productions and showcase your talent on stage.