• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota Opera celebrates six decades

The Diamond Anniversary Celebration Concert and Dinner was hosted April 5 at Sarasota Opera House and Art Ovation Hotel.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 5:24 p.m. April 5, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Sarasota Opera celebrated its 60th season this year with a Diamond Anniversary Celebration Concert and Dinner. 

The evening started at the Sarasota Opera House with a concert. The concert stage was decorated in objects representing different performances the Opera has done in the past few years. They also gave tribute to the past by performing pieces from every decade the Sarasota Opera has been around, going back to the 60s while the Opera was still using the Historic Asolo Theatre. In all, they sang 19 pieces, including pieces from "Don Carlos," "Susannah," "Les Contes d'Hoffmann" and from last season's "Carmen." 

After the concert concluded, guests who also purchased a dinner ticket went to the Art Ovation Hotel for dinner, dessert and more performances by Sarasota Opera's Principal Artists. 

 

Co-Chairwomen Carolyn Ann Holder and Ann Magee
Co-Chairwomen Carolyn Ann Holder and Ann Magee
Executive Director Richard Russell and Walley Kraemer
Executive Director Richard Russell and Walley Kraemer
Guests first enjoyed a performance at the Opera House.
Guests first enjoyed a performance at the Opera House.
Costumes from the past years were set up around the stage.
Costumes from the past years were set up around the stage.
Memoirs from past performances decorated the stage.
Memoirs from past performances decorated the stage.
Eleanor Faber with Paul and Marilyn Frederick
Eleanor Faber with Paul and Marilyn Frederick
Doug and Carolyn Ann Holder, James and Ann Magee and Jana and John Bekavac
Doug and Carolyn Ann Holder, James and Ann Magee and Jana and John Bekavac
Bonnie Chapman and Janet Huelster
Bonnie Chapman and Janet Huelster
Melinda and Hank Foster
Melinda and Hank Foster
Roseann Martorella, Ralph and Jinny Scheffert and Margarete and Russell Wiltshire
Roseann Martorella, Ralph and Jinny Scheffert and Margarete and Russell Wiltshire
Jacqueline and David Morton
Jacqueline and David Morton
Sandra Lindqvist, Nora Stephan and Erik Lindqvist
Sandra Lindqvist, Nora Stephan and Erik Lindqvist
Betty Shapiro, Bonny Heet, Martin Martel and Bud Heet
Betty Shapiro, Bonny Heet, Martin Martel and Bud Heet
Claudia McCorkle and Beau
Claudia McCorkle and Beau
Louanne and Dennis Roy
Louanne and Dennis Roy
Peter and Syble DiGirolamo
Peter and Syble DiGirolamo
The first piece was sang by Jonathan Burton accompanied by John F. Spencer IV on the piano.
The first piece was sang by Jonathan Burton accompanied by John F. Spencer IV on the piano.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell welcome guests to the stage.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and Executive Director Richard Russell welcome guests to the stage.
The centerpieces stood tall above the tables.
The centerpieces stood tall above the tables.
The concert and dinner celebrates the Sarasota Opera's 60th anniversary.
The concert and dinner celebrates the Sarasota Opera's 60th anniversary.
Each guest received a custom pen.
Each guest received a custom pen.
More costumes were bought to the Art Ovation Hotel.
More costumes were bought to the Art Ovation Hotel.
Flowers decorated the cocktail tables.
Flowers decorated the cocktail tables.
Guests enjoyed a concert and dinner for the Opera's anniversary.
Guests enjoyed a concert and dinner for the Opera's anniversary.

 

Latest News

Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Black Tie

The World of Chucko photo-bombs Dana Dalpra, Lauren Hersh and Tami and Phillip Lanham.
  • December 14, 2025
Sarasota Art Museum steps into Style Moderne for annual Art Bash
SPARCC Holiday Luncheon co-chairs Melissa Silva, Tina McGovern and Cator Hartley
  • December 11, 2025
SPARCC holiday luncheon welcomes record turnout
Co-chair Kara Wootson, Planned Parenthood Director of Philanthropy Lauren Stroman, Co-chairs Lissa Murphy, LaVerne Green and Roz Painter-Goffi
  • December 8, 2025
Supporters Rise & Shine for Planned Parenthood brunch
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
Celia Young, Pat Reinhart, Ina Goldberg and Sherry Wheeler channel their inner flapper style for the Great Gatsby-inspired Poinsettia Luncheon.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Opera Guild rings in holidays at Poinsettia Luncheon
Bill and Robyn Sadlo, Barb and Jay Lancer and Marjolaine and Steve Townsend
  • November 23, 2025
Boys and Girls Clubs' Champions for Children honors Baranciks' legacy

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now