SARASOTA – The Sarasota Opera House opens its doors to the Suncoast, next Wednesday, for free.
The Sarasota Opera last held an open house in 2013, according to the Executive Director, Richard Russell.
“We love to have the opportunity to welcome people who might not otherwise come to the opera house to see what we have inside and maybe entice them to come to a performance or some other event at the Sarasota opera house,” said Richard Russell.
It will be an evening of music, refreshments, and backstage tours.
They will be showcasing their new costumes.
“We just purchased 30,000 costumes,” said Russel. “Which is about 80,000 pieces for 135 opera productions.”
Artists from the productions of this season will be present at the event. Some of the productions include La bohème, Romeo & Juliet and La Wally.
There will be people singing throughout the night, talks from directors, and a special performance on stage for all to enjoy.
Artistic Director, Victor DeRenzi, believes there is a historic value to the city with this opera house.
“I think it’s important that people in Sarasota,” said Victor DeRenzi. “Whether you love opera or not, or love music or not, get to know that one of the important things about Sarasota architecturally speaking, in terms of what makes the city what it is, is our opera house.”
DeRenzi hopes to encourage people that this is a venue for everybody.
“I hope people walk in and say, ‘wow, this is nice.’ I hope people come here and think there will be a reason for them to return.”
The open house will be next Wednesday evening at 5:30. It’s located in the heart of downtown Sarasota at 61 North Pineapple Avenue.
