Sarasota Opera

Late February, actor Timothee Chalamet suggested that no one cares about ballet and opera anymore. That’s definitely not the case in Southwest Florida, where opera enjoyed a huge month.

This week, Sarasota Opera is again performing four operas: Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah” on Wednesday and Saturday; Giuseppe Verdi’s“Il Trovatore” on Tuesday and Sunday; Giacomo Puccini’s “La boheme” on Thursday and Saturday; and Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow” on Friday. In addition, in a show called “Winter Concerts,” its apprentice and studio artists perform operatic arias, duets, and ensembles for the public on Thursday, March 26.

Sarasota Opera is performing four operas this week: Carlisle Floyd’s “Susannah” on Thursday and Sunday; Giuseppe Verdi’s “Il travotore” on Saturday; Giacomo Puccini’s “La boheme” on Friday; and Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow” on Saturday. All performances take place in the historic Sarasota Opera House.

Multiple opera performances take place this week at the Sarasota Opera House, Artis-Naples and the Wang Opera Center in Naples.

Soprano Raquel González stars in Sarasota Opera House’s production of “The Merry Widow.” The operetta explores themes of love, loyalty, and the comedic chaos that ensues when societal expectations clash with personal desires.

Gulfshore Opera takes a “Taste of Opera” to Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda on February 10. On Friday the 13th, Opera Naples celebrates the opera chorus at the Wang Opera Center with “Voices of Triumph.” And Puccini's most beloved and frequently performed opera, “La bohème,” opens Valentine’s Day at the Sarasota Opera House.

Since the second week in June, dancers from around the globe have been training at Sarasota Cuban Ballet’s annual summer intensive. Now, they’re gearing up for On Stage 2025, a showcase performance at the Sarasota Opera House on July 19. Joining the summer intensive dancers this year are three headliners.

The $115.5 billion budget signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis includes more than $18 million for 184 arts organizations. Most Southwest Florida arts and culture organizations remain on the outside looking in.

This week Gulfshore Opera performs Donizetti's grand opera 'Lucia di Lammermoor,' Gulfshore Ballet performs 'Coppelia," Sarasota Cuban Ballet holds their end of year show and The Sarasota Ballet presents 'Images of Dance.'

Sarasota Opera House ends season, but ballet performances are scheduled in April and May while Opera Naples screens third Spring Film Festival movie on Strauss musical family.