Victor DeRenzi

Sarasota Opera Receives $41,000 Grant From T.T. And W.F. Chao Foundation For Purchase Of Pianos
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 27, 2025

Sarasota Opera has been awarded a $41,000 grant from the T.T. and W.F. Chao Foundation to purchase four new upright pianos. The grant completes the company’s fundraising to replace seven aging instruments, ensuring high-quality instruments for rehearsals, education, and community outreach programs.

Sarasota Opera Opens 2025 Fall Season With Mozart’s COSI FAN TUTTE
by Stephi Wild - Oct 20, 2025

Sarasotans strolling down Pineapple Avenue this month will hear the music of Mozart filling the streets outside the Opera House as rehearsals started for Sarasota Opera’s fall opera production, Così fan tutte.

Sarasota Opera Reveals Don & Rachael Worthington as 2026 Gala Honorees
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2025

 Sarasota Opera has announced that longtime supporters and community leaders Don and Rachael Worthington will be honored at the company’s annual Gala, themed “Winter in Paris.'

Sarasota Opera Awarded $60,000 Empowering Arts Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2025

Sarasota Opera has received a $60,000 Empowering Arts Grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support its 2025–2026 programming and operations. The grant, made possible through the Zoe Anderson Charitable Fund and the Venice Endowment Fund, will help sustain world-class performances and educational outreach programs.

Sarasota Opera Reveals New Board Leadership and Trustee Appointments
by Stephi Wild - Aug 6, 2025

Sarasota Opera’s Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell have announced several leadership updates and appointments to the company’s Board of Trustees.

Sarasota Opera Reveals Casts for 2025�"2026 Season, Featuring LA BOHÈME, THE MERRY WIDOW & More
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 28, 2025

Sarasota Opera has revealed casting for its 2025–2026 season, marking the company's 67th year and the centennial of the historic Sarasota Opera House.

Arthur Bosarge Named Artistic Administrator At Sarasota Opera
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2025

Sarasota Opera has appointed Arthur Bosarge as its new Artistic Administrator. Bosarge has been a key member of the company's music staff since 2022, most recently serving as Chorus Master and Director of the Apprentice Artists Program.

Arts Advocates Honors Hermitage Artist Retreat's Artistic Director and CEO Andy Sandberg With Luminaire Award
by Stephi Wild - Apr 9, 2025

Arts Advocates recently presented Andy Sandberg, artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, with its Luminaire Award. This award is presented to individuals to celebrate their outstanding contributions to the arts in Sarasota.

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!

STIFFELIO Will Open at Sarasota Opera
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2025

Last seen in Sarasota in 2005, Verdi's opera about infidelity and forgiveness, Stiffelio, will open this month. Written just before Rigoletto, this long-neglected, emotionally charged work is now recognized as an important opera by Verdi.

Sarasota Opera Will Open 2025 Winter Opera Festival
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025

Sarasota Opera will open its 66th season this month with the double bill of Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci.

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 Finalizes International Cast For Winter Festival
by Stephi Wild - Dec 3, 2024

Casting has been announced for Sarasota Opera’s 2025 Winter Opera Festival. Learn more about the upcoming festival, which is set for this February 2025.

Sarasota Opera Announces Fall Verdi Concert
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2024

Sarasota Opera will revisit that Verdi's legacy with its Fall concert, The Music of Giuseppe Verdi.

Sarasota Opera Reveals Casting for Winter Opera Festival
by Stephi Wild - Aug 20, 2024

Casting has been announced for Sarasota Opera’s 2025 Winter Opera Festival.  The season will open on Saturday, February 15, and will feature Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, and Giuseppe Verdi's Stiffelio.

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.

Tickets Now on Sale For Sarasota Opera's Fall Verdi Concert
by Stephi Wild - Aug 6, 2024

Sarasota Opera is world-renowned for its Verdi Cycle. Between 1989 and 2016, the company performed every note that Giuseppe Verdi wrote. It is in that spirit that Sarasota Opera will launch its 2024-2025 season with its fall concert, The Music of Giuseppe Verdi. 

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.

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 to Present Final Performances Of Its 2024 Winter Opera Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2024

The Sarasota Opera 2024 Winter Opera Festival is in its final weeks of performances. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.