• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota Opera celebrates latest season with annual gala

The Sarasota Opera gala was held on April 1.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 11:30 a.m. April 3, 2023
  • Black Tie
  • Share

The Sarasota Opera celebrated the end of another season with a lively gala and concert at the opera house on April 1.

Hundreds met for a reception at the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard that marked the beginning of the program. Guests mingled and had light bites while taking a look at silent auction items in the opera house lobby.

The night featured a celebration concert with performances from artists including Aviva Fortunata, Heather Johnson, Fillippo Fontana, Rafael Dávila and Jesse Martins.

Guests then left the opera house to fill an outdoor tent space to enjoy dinner followed by dancing to the music of the Scott Blum Band. 

The 2024 Sarasota Opera gala has been announced for March 24, 2024. 

Carol Lackey with Rob and Jennifer Rominiecki
Carol Lackey with Rob and Jennifer Rominiecki
Photo by Harry Sayer
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
Photo by Harry Sayer
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
Photo by Harry Sayer
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
The event was held at the Sarasota Opera House.
Photo by Harry Sayer
Chuck Albers, Julie Planck and Aref Bsisu
Chuck Albers, Julie Planck and Aref Bsisu
Photo by Harry Sayer
Richard Johnson and Deborah Kalb
Richard Johnson and Deborah Kalb
Photo by Harry Sayer
Dominic Cheli with Sharon and Jim Westby
Dominic Cheli with Sharon and Jim Westby
Photo by Harry Sayer
Lydia and Patrick McKenzie with Bobby Garibaldi
Lydia and Patrick McKenzie with Bobby Garibaldi
Photo by Harry Sayer
Helen Panoyan with Anne and Jim Magee
Helen Panoyan with Anne and Jim Magee
Photo by Harry Sayer
Mary Keogh and Sam Donahue with Carol and Les Brualdi
Mary Keogh and Sam Donahue with Carol and Les Brualdi
Photo by Harry Sayer
Tracey Sperry with Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins
Tracey Sperry with Harry Leopold and Audrey Robbins
Photo by Harry Sayer
Kathy and Anthony Sanzo
Kathy and Anthony Sanzo
Photo by Harry Sayer
Jim Helmich and Rose Marie Proietti
Jim Helmich and Rose Marie Proietti
Photo by Harry Sayer
Helen Panoyan, Sandy Reigel and Pat Reinhart
Helen Panoyan, Sandy Reigel and Pat Reinhart
Photo by Harry Sayer
Stephanie Sundine and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi
Stephanie Sundine and Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi
Photo by Harry Sayer
Melliss Swenson and Les Beauasku with B. Aline Blanchard and Art Siciliano
Melliss Swenson and Les Beauasku with B. Aline Blanchard and Art Siciliano
Photo by Harry Sayer
Stanley and Dolly Bass
Stanley and Dolly Bass
Photo by Harry Sayer

 

Latest News

Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
  • April 13, 2026
Canal maintenance program up for a vote this summer
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal
The Ikea franchise system includes 58 retail locations in the United States. There are 412 Ikea stores worldwide in 32 countries.
  • April 11, 2026
Ikea to open at UTC in Sarasota

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 Centennial Celebration of 100 years of the Sarasota Opera co-chairs are Sue Neumann and Lynn Blackledge.
  • April 12, 2026
Sarasota Opera House centennial celebration ends an era
Julia Groom, Elizabeth Moore and Jennifer Masters
  • April 12, 2026
Gymnast Emily Meinke shares message of hope at Blue Ties & Butterflies
Alisa Pettingell, Eileen Curd and Graci McGillicuddy
  • April 12, 2026
Moffitt's Mission Possible luncheon supports new treatments in cancer
Sheila Weiss, Michael Goldman, Dr. Helene Lotman, Ellen Goldner, Marion Levine and Sasha Rosin make up the Hope in Bloom committee.
  • April 3, 2026
JFCS celebrates 40 years of service at Hope in Bloom
The co-chairs are Darci Jacob (ninth year), Vickie Smith (fourth year) and Carolyn Castro (first year).
  • March 28, 2026
SPARCC Runway 2026 reassembles a kaleidoscope of lives and fashion
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation President Stacey Corley with panelists Dr. Kelly Hamel, Dr. Sarah Kimball and Dr. Angela Boldo
  • March 28, 2026
Women & Medicine educates guests on women's health

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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free