The Kretzmer Legacy Society

L egacy LEAVING A

Opera

It is visceral and passionate. It conveys the entire range of emotions from love to despair. Through music and text, and stories that encompass every time period and situation, it has the capacity to reach the very heart of the human experience.

Our mission to produce opera that is true to the vision of the composer, with a commitment to the highest standards, appeals to opera lovers throughout Sarasota and from around the world.

is the all-encompassing art form.

“

I adore art…when I am alone with my notes, my heart pounds and the tears stream from my eyes, and my emotion and my joys are too much to bear. ”

— Giuseppe Verdi

Sarasota Opera is Central to our Community

Sarasota Opera is at the very heart of the city we serve. Positioned in the core of our historic district, the Sarasota Opera House has been instrumental in revitalizing downtown, attracting businesses and restaurants, and fostering a vibrant downtown living community. During the off season our Opera House becomes a vital resource, providing a unique venue for our fellow arts organizations (Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Cuban Ballet School, La Musica, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, The Cuban Ballet, Artist Series Concerts, Perlman Music Program, Sarasota Film Festival, Key Chorale, and more) as well as other groups including the annual PINC conference and a variety of corporate and educational events. The Sarasota Opera House is a comfortable and welcoming venue for diverse members of our community of all ages and from all walks of life.

Cover images: Grigory Soloviov as King Dodon in Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Golden Cockerel 2015. Kara Shay Thomson, Jonathan Burton in Sarasota Opera’s 2019 production of Turandot.

Photos by Rod Millington

Opposite page: Sarasota Opera’s 2019 production of Rigoletto, Act I, Scene II. Photo by Rod Millington

Education

- the Key to the Future

Youth Opera and Educational Programs

Sarasota Opera’s Youth Opera program is the only one of its kind in the country, regularly producing full-scale operas for young voices and providing a professional-grade stage experience they will remember for a lifetime. Students are accepted regardless of their ability to pay and with no audition requirement. In conjunction with Youth Opera, our summer camp and school partnership programs create bridges between the Opera and our community, serving more than 2,000 students each year.

Apprentice and Studio Artist Programs

Our Studio and Apprentice Programs are a hallmark of Sarasota Opera, providing unparalleled opportunities for rising opera talent to gain performance experience, learn new roles, and to receive extensive vocal and language coaching. These Artists are the key to our extraordinary Opera Chorus. Sarasota audiences can proudly say “I saw them when” since some return in principal roles or have opportunities with other companies throughout the world.

Adult Education

Sarasota Opera is dedicated to enriching the opera experience for our patrons by providing ancillary education programs throughout each year.

Main photo: Sarasota Youth Opera’s 2014 production of Dean Burry’s The Hobbit.

Photo by Rod Millington

Left: Sarasota Youth Opera summer camp performance June 2017.

Below: Youth Opera camp with Maestro Jesse Martins.

Your

Invitation to join the Kretzmer Legacy Society

We invite you to join this extraordinary group of Sarasota Opera supporters by making a planned gift for Sarasota Opera. Recognition benefits include:

 Your name listed on the Kretzmer Legacy Society page of our Winter Festival Program Book.

 Invitation to the annual Kretzmer Legacy Society Luncheon with a private performance by Sarasota Opera Artists

 Your Kretzmer Legacy Pin(s)

“

— Ernie Kretzmer

Planned giving is critical to building Sarasota Opera’s endowment and securing its financial future. By letting us know you have made a provision for Sarasota Opera, you give us the opportunity to show our profound appreciation.

Legacy intention forms are enclosed and are also available on the Sarasota Opera website www.sarasotaopera.org. For more information contact the Development Department at (941) 366-8450 ext. 246.

Ways to Make a Difference

Gifts made by Beneficiary Designation

Making Sarasota Opera a beneficiary (in full or in part) of your retirement account, insurance policy, donor advised fund or annuity is the easiest and least expensive way to make a gift from your estate. Contact the firm that holds your preferred asset and ask them for a new beneficiary form. Your beneficiary form takes precedence over any contradictory language that may be in your will or trust.

Gifts made by a Will or Living Trust

You can name Sarasota Opera as a beneficiary in your will or living trust, designating a gift amount or percentage of your choice. It could be from assets such as real estate, personal property, (appreciated) securities or cash. You maintain complete control of your assets during your lifetime, and heirs may save on estate taxes.

Gifts that Pay You Income

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) You can transfer money to a CGA and receive income for life. Interest rates are usually attractive compared to certificates of deposit and other bond rates. The payouts are fixed and guaranteed so that they will not fluctuate in unstable economic times.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) CRTs enable you to preserve or improve your financial security and make a gift to the Sarasota Opera. You, and other beneficiaries of your choice, can receive variable or fixed income. CRTs are highly flexible and can be customized to meet your specific financial, tax and estate planning needs. Speak with your financial advisor and estate planning professionals to learn more about creating a CRT.

Sarasota Opera does not provide financial or tax advice. Before making any decisions, please consult your financial and tax advisors to discuss your options.

Sarasota Opera’s 2019 production of Nabucco. Photo by Rod Millington

For more information about legacy giving, contact the Development Department at (941) 366-8450 ext. 246.

www.sarasotaopera.org

The Sarasota Opera Association, Inc., a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation, acknowledges contributions are tax deductible, less the fair market value of any goods or services received.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CUSTOMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CH429.

Left: Hanna Brammer as Juliet, Andrew Surrena as Romeo in Sarasota Opera’s 2020 production of Romeo and Juliet. Right: Michelle Johnson as Aida and Jonathan Burton as Radames in Sarasota Opera’s 2016 production of Aida. Photos by Rod Millington