soprano Dara Hobbs will return to Sarasota Opera to make her role debut as Senta. Maestro David Neely, a noted specialist of the German repertoire, will conduct and Tom Diamond will direct. The opera will run for 7 performances from March 1 – March 23. Closing out the Winter Opera Festival will be the Sarasota Opera debut of Verdi’s Jérusalem, an epic tale of warriors, family rivalry, and jealousy that evolves into a story of forgiveness. Based on his earlier opera I Lombardi alla prima crociata, Jérusalem abounds with rousing choruses, beautiful ensembles, and exciting arias. “Jérusalem will mark the 30th operatic installment of the Verdi Cycle and a rare operatic experience audiences won’t want to miss,” DeRenzi said. “It is rarely performed, but it is an important work. It’s the first work he wrote for Paris, and shows forward movement in his style. A big part of what we do is produce operas that one doesn’t get to see on other opera stages. This is one of those pieces. It gives a chance for our audience to hear music that they don’t have a chance to hear almost anywhere else. And it moves us to the conclusion of our Verdi Cycle, which is approaching very quickly.” In addition to its heady line-up of operas, Sarasota Opera will present three signature concerts designed to highlight great songs, arias, and scenes beyond this season’s repertoire — all performed at the Opera House. On Wednesday, March 5, the “American Opera Concert” will explore the past and present of American opera and vocal music, which will be performed with piano accompaniment by Sarasota Opera’s apprentice and studio artists. On Tuesday, March 18, Sarasota Opera presents its annual “Artists Choice Concert”, which has become a Sarasota Opera tradition. Principal and studio artists will perform their choice of the best of opera and Broadway on the Sarasota Opera main stage, with piano accompaniment. The 2014 Winter Season will come to a close with “The Verdi Concert” on Sunday, March 23. The end of the Verdi Cycle is now only three years away, and “The Verdi Concert” is an excellent opportunity to experience a mix of Verdi’s well known, not so well known, and hidden musical gems. Featuring Sarasota Opera soloists, orchestra, and chorus, this concert reaffirms why Sarasota Opera is Verdi’s American home. “I’m involved in all of the concerts and it’s a joy to perform them for our audience,” DeRenzi said. “People like different things, so we’re looking to get as many people as we can to the opera.” For more information about Sarasota Opera’s winter season, visit www.sarasotaopera.org or call the box office at 941.328.1300. scenesarasota.com
February 2014
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