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Sarasota Opera starts diamond anniversary season

The Curtain Raiser Dinner was hosted Oct. 21 at Michael's On East.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 8:44 p.m. October 21, 2018
  • Black Tie
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The Sarasota Opera is celebrating 60 years this season, dubbing it the diamond anniversary season.

To kick things off, the Curtain Raiser Dinner was hosted Oct. 21 at Michael's On East.

It was one of the first cooler nights this fall, so guests were able to mingle in the atrium for cocktail hour before heading inside. Three opera singers performed before dinner was served. 

The Sarasota Opera's first show, "The Barber of Seville," opens Friday, Oct. 26. 

Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, Filippo Fontana, Anna Mandina, Young Bok Kim and Executive Director Richard Russell
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, Filippo Fontana, Anna Mandina, Young Bok Kim and Executive Director Richard Russell
Executive Director Richard Russell, Hellen Panoian and Bonnie and Bill Chapman
Executive Director Richard Russell, Hellen Panoian and Bonnie and Bill Chapman
Eleanor Williams and Eleanor Faber
Eleanor Williams and Eleanor Faber
Aline Blanchard Siciliano and Arthur Siciliano
Aline Blanchard Siciliano and Arthur Siciliano
Pat Reinhard with Dennis and Jean Dorton
Pat Reinhard with Dennis and Jean Dorton
Floral centerpieces adorned the tables.
Floral centerpieces adorned the tables.
The Curtain Raiser Dinner was hosted at Michael's On East.
The Curtain Raiser Dinner was hosted at Michael's On East.
Prosciutto-wrapped fig was one of the appetizers served before dinner.
Prosciutto-wrapped fig was one of the appetizers served before dinner.
Hermione Gilpin, Peggy Allen and Steven Dixon
Hermione Gilpin, Peggy Allen and Steven Dixon
Sandra and Erik Lindqvist with Cynthia Russell
Sandra and Erik Lindqvist with Cynthia Russell
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Jane Newman
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Jane Newman
Adam and Jaime Still
Adam and Jaime Still
Randy and Jennifer Simms with Joan Kraemer
Randy and Jennifer Simms with Joan Kraemer
Audrey Robbins and Harry Leopold
Audrey Robbins and Harry Leopold
Peter Kretzmer, his father Ernie Kretzmer and Ernie's companion, Dorathea Sandland, enjoy a black tie event.
Peter Kretzmer, his father Ernie Kretzmer and Ernie's companion, Dorathea Sandland, enjoy a black tie event.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell entertain guests with their back and forth banter.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell entertain guests with their back and forth banter.
Anna Mandina, a soprano, sings
Anna Mandina, a soprano, sings "Ebben, ne andro lontana."
Baritone Filippo Fontana sings a song by Tosti.
Baritone Filippo Fontana sings a song by Tosti.
Young Bok Kim, a bass, is on his 15th season with the Sarasota Opera.
Young Bok Kim, a bass, is on his 15th season with the Sarasota Opera.

 

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