• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • 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
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota Opera begins season with Curtain Raiser dinner

The annual kickoff was hosted Oct. 20 at Michael's on the Bay at Selby Gardens.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 7:40 p.m. October 20, 2019
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Sarasota Opera's 2019-2020 season is set to begin, and with that comes its annual Curtain Raiser dinner. 

The 28th annual dinner held Oct. 20 had a new venue this year. Guests gathered at Michael's on the Bay at Selby Gardens to mingle, eat hors d'oeuvre and listen to a performance from Sarasota Opera artists. Opera supporters enjoyed a dinner that included an autumn salad, golden fingerling potatoes and apple tarts. 

"Rigoletto," the first show of the season, is set for Friday, Nov. 1.

Kristin Kaufman, Executive Director Richard Russell, Elisabeth Cameron, Roger Kaufman, Rosanne Martorella and Wally Kraemer
Kristin Kaufman, Executive Director Richard Russell, Elisabeth Cameron, Roger Kaufman, Rosanne Martorella and Wally Kraemer
Michael Ayres with Rebecca and Bill Tompkins
Michael Ayres with Rebecca and Bill Tompkins
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, Stephanie Sundine, Deb Kalb and Richard Johnson at a black tie event in 2019.
Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi, Stephanie Sundine, Deb Kalb and Richard Johnson at a black tie event in 2019.
File image
Ray and Beverly Broth
Ray and Beverly Broth
Barbara Archbold with Terence and Valerie Osborne
Barbara Archbold with Terence and Valerie Osborne
Carol von Allmen and Helen Panoyan
Carol von Allmen and Helen Panoyan
Eleanor Faber and Eleanor Williams with Wally Kraemer and Joan Lovell
Eleanor Faber and Eleanor Williams with Wally Kraemer and Joan Lovell
Laitin Schwerin and Vlado Konatar
Laitin Schwerin and Vlado Konatar
Ron Archbold with Ralph and Jinny Scheffert
Ron Archbold with Ralph and Jinny Scheffert
Bonny Heet and Martin Martel
Bonny Heet and Martin Martel
Audrey Robbins with Sandra and Per-Erik Lindqvist
Audrey Robbins with Sandra and Per-Erik Lindqvist
Stan and Alma Abshier with Lana Mullen
Stan and Alma Abshier with Lana Mullen
Rich Ridenour with Steve and Lynn Blackledge
Rich Ridenour with Steve and Lynn Blackledge
Moses Pinkerton, Dorothy Lawrence, Claudia McCorkle and Beau the dog
Moses Pinkerton, Dorothy Lawrence, Claudia McCorkle and Beau the dog
Aline Blanchard and Art Siciliano with Rose Marie Proietti and Louis Martorella
Aline Blanchard and Art Siciliano with Rose Marie Proietti and Louis Martorella
Jacqueline and David Morton
Jacqueline and David Morton
Kathy and Jerry Jordan
Kathy and Jerry Jordan
Performers Young Bok Kim, Lindsay Woodward, Hanna Brammer and William Davenport
Performers Young Bok Kim, Lindsay Woodward, Hanna Brammer and William Davenport
Jay and Marlo Turner
Jay and Marlo Turner
John Brooks and Katherine Benoit
John Brooks and Katherine Benoit
Carol English with Lou and Marianne Cohen
Carol English with Lou and Marianne Cohen

 

Latest News

Officer Nick Dominis and Coti worked together since 2014.
  • February 16, 2026
Sarasota will honor memory of longtime police dog
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
Left: Darrel Drury has lived in the Lakewood Ranch area for nearly eight years. Right: David Sessions has overseen the construction of dozens of buildings in the region in the past 35 years.
  • February 15, 2026
Round and round goes the chatter about roundabouts in Lakewood Ranch

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

Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Party On in their new Payne Park space
Chris and Angie Wellman
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

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 © 2026 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