The world seems agog over the Ringling Festival. Hey, who wouldn’t be. With Mikhail Baryshnikov in town, Sarasota is the world and our world is alive with the sound of music, dancing feet and the excitement of world-class performances, superstars and Sarasota at its best.

But, remember, this is nothing new. We moved here because Sarasota is a little “New York,” “London,” “Paris” and “Rome.” We have world-class symphonic music, opera, ballet, chamber music, film festivals, choral music and theater all year.

Perlman and his kids come here to serenade us for the holidays.

The Sarsaota Orchestra is exploring every bit of great music from Copland to Tchaikovsky this season, with videos that attract young, vibrant fans, who whistle and cheer.

The Sarasota Opera — along with its ventures into the complete works of Verdi (“I Lombardi,” this season), the scintillating “Cinderella,” of Rossini, the always passionate “La Boheme” and the hell-fire and damnation of “Don Giovanni” — is venturing into one of America’s greatest 20th-century operas, “The Crucible,” by Robert Ward. The composer, now in his 90s, will be coming to Sarasota to speak at SILL Monday, March 7, in Holley Hall. And he’s coming a few days early so he can be here to attend the Sarasota premiere of his now 50-year-old opera at the Sarasota Opera House.

Gloria Musicae, Key Chorale, Belle Canto and Florida Voices will lift your spirits with the finest choral performances south of New York. Florida Studio Theatre explores mystery, comedy and cabaret, while the Asolo Repertory Theatre presents a brand-new musical based on “Bonnie and Clyde.” The Artist Series of Sarasota is celebrating a gala 15th season, offering a Chopin festival and presenting more recitals and chamber concerts than ever before.

Breathless? We haven’t even gotten to the Sarasota Concert Association’s visitors at the Van Wezel, the Sarasota Ballet, La Musica or the Sarasota Music Festival.

Sarasota is alive with the sound of music. Is it any wonder we live here?

 

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