• 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

Opera patrons gather to celebrate the year

The Opera's Co-Producer Donor Luncheon was held on Feb. 19 at Michael's on the Bay.


  • By Kayleigh Omang
  • | 3:11 p.m. February 19, 2018
  • Black Tie
  • Share

Sarasota Opera held its Co-Producer Luncheon Feb. 19 — and there was plenty to look at.

Guests at Michael's on the Bay got a prime view of bright, sunny Sarasota Bay complemented by colorful pink and yellow accents on the tables. The luncheon celebrated the 2018 opera season and its top donors who are anticipating the last two shows of the season. 

Next year will be the Opera's 60th anniversary and the co-producer donor fee will be increasing to $6,000.

The centerpieces were bright pink and yellow flowers on a bed of clover.
The centerpieces were bright pink and yellow flowers on a bed of clover.
Phyllis Lowitt and Rachele Rivolta
Phyllis Lowitt and Rachele Rivolta
Carol and Larry English with Melinda Lee and Hank Foster
Carol and Larry English with Melinda Lee and Hank Foster
Thomas Massey, Lara Michole Tillotson, Zhanna Alkazova and Steven Aguilo-Arbues
Thomas Massey, Lara Michole Tillotson, Zhanna Alkazova and Steven Aguilo-Arbues
Bill Lloyd and Rich Wires
Bill Lloyd and Rich Wires
Carol English and Annette Lloyd
Carol English and Annette Lloyd
Bud and Betty Shapiro
Bud and Betty Shapiro
Eleanor Williams and Betty Shoenbaum
Eleanor Williams and Betty Shoenbaum
Ralph Scheffert with Octavio and Nela Choy
Ralph Scheffert with Octavio and Nela Choy
Andre and Isabelle Christen with Walter and Rosemary Mazzanti
Andre and Isabelle Christen with Walter and Rosemary Mazzanti
Carol and Larry English
Carol and Larry English
Rick Kerby, Jonathan Coleman and Rich Wires
Rick Kerby, Jonathan Coleman and Rich Wires
The luncheon celebrated its donors for the 2017 year.
The luncheon celebrated its donors for the 2017 year.
Executive Director Richard Russell thanks the patrons for coming to the luncheon.
Executive Director Richard Russell thanks the patrons for coming to the luncheon.
Steven Aguilo-Arbues plays the piano for his fellow Opera singers.
Steven Aguilo-Arbues plays the piano for his fellow Opera singers.
Lara Michole Tillotson performs for the audience.
Lara Michole Tillotson performs for the audience.
Thomas Massey, a tenor, performs for the donors.
Thomas Massey, a tenor, performs for the donors.
Zhanna Alkazova sings for the audience.
Zhanna Alkazova sings for the audience.
The audience claps as Zhanna Alkazova finishes her piece.
The audience claps as Zhanna Alkazova finishes her piece.

 

Latest News

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
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

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