Thank You!

More than anyone, all of you who come to the Opera and support our continued artistic excellence deserve a huge Thank You! The Sarasota Opera House is your opera house, and it is a tremendous legacy for all of us to pass on to future Sarasotans.

Opening Night - March 1, 2008

Patrons in the theater for the first time.

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy

Victoria Leopold enjoys good company in the McCorkle Lounge.

Pat Hull, Alma Abshier, Dick Hull.

Opera House Ribbon Cutting

The Opera House is wrapped with a large gold ribbon. With a few snips from donors representing the 1500 supporters of the project, audiences were welcomed into the theater.

Virginia Toulmin

Betsy Bagby

Victoria and Harry Leopold

Bill and Casiana Schmidt

Alisa and Ernie Kretzmer

Maestro Victor DeRenzi and Susan Danis address the crowd. Jerry Waterman and Virginia Toulmin look on.

Audiences entering the Opera House for the first time.

Preparing for the Big Night

A few days ahead of March 1, 2008 a large tent is errected behind the Opera House. As the big night draws near, it is decked out for the post performance Gala.

Opera House - Ready to Go

The Opera House, in a final quiet moment before the Re-Opening performance.

Rigoletto Rehearsal

The orchestra rehearses with Maestro DeRenzi in the newly expanded pit. On stage is the set for Rigoletto.

First Notes

To celebrate the re-opening, Opera supporters were welcomed to the theater by Susan Danis and Maestro DeRenzi for a 'First Notes' dinner followed by a dress rehearsal of 'Rigoletto'.

Va Pensiero

Early in the rehearsal period for the 2008 season, all the singers gathered on stage. The singing of Verdi's 'Va Pensiero' has been a traditional event at the Opera House for many years. It was the closing piece performed at the final concert March 4, 2007 and it seemed only apropriate to re-christen the theater with it.

Naming the Theater

LMS Signs puts up lettering in the Marie L. Hoffberg Lobby.

Starting from a template, LMS Signs sorts and mounts the letters for the William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre on the wall.

Seat Install - Balcony

As carpet is put down, the seat installers follow right on their heels.

Seat Install - Video

The final sample seat produced by Irwin Seating.

The seat installation crew from Contract Solutions places all the arms for the seats first.

All the wood seat back are lined up in rows, ready for install.

Installers go up and down each row attaching seat backs.

As one crew works from the back of the theater, another moves from the front back.

Main Curtain and Surtitle Install

A team from IWeiss installs the top section of the main curtain.

A team from Figaro Systems gets the Surtitle screen up and running.

The completed main curtain and surtitle screen.

McCorkle Lounge and Steinwachs Lobby

The McCorkle Lounge and the Paul and Sharon Steinwachs Parterre Lobby ready for opening.

Carpet!

Workers take a break from unrolling huge bolts of new carpet in the loading dock.

The McCorkle Lounge with its new carpet.

Founders Lounge

Dark wood trim is installed around the coffers in the Founders Lounge on the third floor of the Opera House.

A dark wood floor is installed to match.

Dolphin Innovations works to install fabric walls in the Founders Lounge

Courtyard Lights

The concrete infront of the Donna wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard is torn up to install some decorative lighting.

Tile Work

The crew from Sun Tile works across the Lobby floor.

As a final step, the tile is grouted and polished.

Victoria Leopold Grand Atrium

Final work progresses on the atrium.

The completed Victoria Leopold Grand Atrium in the early evening, days prior to the re-opening of the Opera House.

Guy-Nadel Foundation Lobby

Decorative painting begins on the ceiling in the Guy-Nadel Foundation Lobby. The Box Office kiosk on the right will open an hour before performances, while the rest of the time the box office will be in the Pavilion building next door to the Opera House.

See the full construction of the Guy-Nadel Foundation Lobby:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Top to Bottom

Decorative painters work on the ceilings throughout the theater, closely followed by SPC construction painting the floor.

Decorative Painters Transform the Theater

The organ lofts on the side of the theater with a coat of base paint awaiting the decorative painting team.

Work begins at creating the impression of travertine blocks on the theater wall.

Some base layers of color are put on the wall.

Two teams work across the wall darkening the faux stone.

Final details and touch ups on the columns under the organ loft openings.

The end result!

William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation Lobby

Trim work in the new William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation Lobby.

Electricians and decorative artists working side by side.

new carpet is rolled out.

The carpet is temporarily covered up to protect it, while speaker covers for the ceilings are laid out for painting.

The lobby just a few days before opening.

See Part 3, Part 2 and Part 1 of the Lobby construction.

Stage Finishing

The new wood floor is laid on the stage.

The stage floor is ready for painting, as are the columns on either side of the stage.

See the construction of the stage in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4

Decorative Painting - Video

The team of decorative artists from Dean Tippin Studios and Decorative Effects work on hand painting every inch of the Opera House.

Proscenium Arch

Decorative columns are built on either side of the proscenium.

Over the course of a few weeks, the proscenium arch above the stage is built, including a slot in the center for the Surtitles screen.

Construction Tours

Gabe Schmergel, Stan and Alma Abshier, and Valerie Schmergel after completing a tour of the Opera House.

Jack and Isabel Wright heading out for a tour.

Ken Kwiatkowski takes a break on a tour.



Susan Danis gives a tour of the renovated theater to incoming singers from the Apprentice and Studio Artists Programs.

Orchestra Pit Lift Finishing

The steel structure for the Pit lift 'car' or platform is loaded into the pit, then assembled by the crew from Gala systems.

A wood deck is built on top of the lift car.

The pit lift at its lowest position, creating a full sized orchestra pit which extends under the stage.

The entire orchestra pit lift car, as seen from the lighting positions in the ceiling of the auditorium.

see some earlier photos of the pit lift construction.

Painting Beams

Four lifts work in the theater at once, while the decorative painters begin the process of painting the ceiling of the theater to look like wood beams.

One painter works on the last corner of beams to be painted.

Painting the Atrium

The decorative painting crew prepares to paint the atrium by protecting the 1926 wood columns.

Lead decorative artist Martha Tippin of Dean Tippin Studios works on pickling and staining the wood columns around the atrium.

One of the decorative painting crew works on blending small cracks in the columns which have been sealed and filled.

Rigging

As soon as the stage could support weight, steel crews began reinforcing the structure at the top of the flytower which supports all the scenery and lightign equipment hoisted above the stage.

Following the steel crew, a team began installing the rigging system, for raising and lowering the lights and scenery. Dozens and dozens of cables were run from the overhead steel down to the stage, ready to be tied to long batons on to which the equipment is mounted. (a few can be seen at the left of the above photo with yellow caps on the ends).

Workers in lifts install lights in the scenery bay while new rigging on the stage is tested in the background.

Theater Progress, November to February

Scaffolding goes up on the ground floor to allow the construction crew to plaster the underside of the balcony. The stage, poured at the top of November, will be ready for the Opening of Rigoletto in just 120 days.

Lifts work on stage while plastering continues both under and above the balcony.

drywall, plastering, and base painting are complete.

The theater takes on a warmer tone after many hours of work by the decorative painting crew.

A new coat of paint drys on the floor, while the Surtitle screen from Figaro Systems is prepared for installation on the stage.

Boxes of seats are moved into the theater.

Arms for all the seats are installed throughout the theater before the first seat is placed.

The seats are almost complete in the balcony and halfway done in the orchestra. Seat installation was completed just two weeks ahead of the grand opening on March 1, 2008!

See some earlier photos of the theater in progress:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Finishing the Facade

New railings are installed on the facade balcony, matching the historic profile.

Workers from Aladdin Ward Electric install new lanterns on the facade.

A new lantern and a restored Opera House sign flank the imp sculpture on the corner of the Opera House.

Roof - Video

Tile work is almost complete on the main roof of the Opera House, while workers move tiles for installation on the portico in front of the Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard.

Lifting to the Roof - Video

A large crane spends the day in front of the Opera House lifting the final pieces of air conditioning duct work to the roof for installation.

I Survived the Pit!

Members of the Building Committee celebrate the completion of the orchestra pit with 'I Survived the Pit' teeshirts. (L to R: Joel Fedder, Chair - Building Committee, Robert Diamant, Joan Wood, Chair - Sarasota Opera Board of Trustees, and Scott Bushey)

This will be the final renovation post for a few weeks. check back in April for photos of the final month of construction, the completed Opera House, and for pictures from the March 1st grand Re-Opening.

Thank you to all who have taken part in making this dream a reality!

Orchestra Pit Lift

The crew from Gala Systems out of Quebec begins installing the motors for the pit lift. At its lowest position, the lift will create a level playing area for the orchestra. When raised, it will extend the front of the stage.

Decorative Painting

Members of the decorative painting crew begin work on the walls and ceilings in the lobby.

Hammering

Robin Cote, field superintendent for Willis A. Smith Construction, does some touch up to the walled over construction entrance onto stage.



One of the construction crew works in the new cross under hallway under the stage. The new trap in the center of the stage can be seen above him.

Orchestra Pit

Lead architect Killis Almond (center), makes a first inspection of the new expanded orchestra pit under the stage just after the removal of the temporary struts. With him are representatives from contractor Willis A. Smith Construction and subcontractor Dolphin Innovations.

Fred and Doris Albertelli

Fred and Doris Albertelli take a tour of the theater with Courtney Balok.

Wet Paint

All Steel Crew

The crew from All Steel Construction, who spent months rebuilding the balcony structure, takes a short break from work for a celebratory photo.

Pit and Stage

Lifts work throughout the theater as work begins on the freshly poured stage. Temporary supports for the stage can be seen in the orchestra pit.

Exterior Painting

One of the painting crew carefully re-attaches the 'Donna Wolf Steigerwaldt Courtyard' lettering.

The painting crew does final touch-ups around the Opera House windows.

Welding - Video

Welders work on the stage and the balcony to prepare the new control booth on stage, and the lighting rail on the front of the balcony.

Finishing Touches

One of the construction crew works on staining trim for the third floor Founder's Lounge dinning room.

One of the decorative painters works on an early paint sample on a wall in the lobby.

Lifts in the Theater

Lifts are used in the theater, to plaster, paint, and do electrical work.

Even T. Collinsworth

Longtime Opera supporter Even T. Collinsworth takes a tour of the construction site with Director of Development Melissa Burtless.

Exterior Painting

Various areas of the theater fly tower get a fresh coat of paint.

Shadows

Two construction workers ride a lift on the far side of the theater

Steel Work Above the Stage - Video

Large scaffolding is setup and moved around stage to work on reinforcing the steel structure above the stage. Rigging equipment which is used to life lights and scenery will be mounted off of the steel structure.

Alisa and Ernest Kretzmer

Executive Director Susan Danis finishes a tour of the construction site with patrons Alisa and Ernest Kretzmer.

Atrium

A view up the lobby atrium, which is draped in plastic as painting goes on on the second floor.

Roofing

The crew goes to work putting the new terracotta tiles on the roof of the Opera House.

Open Door

Looking through an open doorway on to the second floor of the Opera House.

The Stage, Part 4

Work progresses on the underside of the balcony.

The stage is poured. A temporary wood railing is in place at the edge of the new orchestra pit. A new stage trap can also be seen in the center of the stage.

See the construction of the stage in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Richard and Marcia DeGenerro

Richard and Marcia DeGennaro on a tour of the Opera House construction.

Theater Progress, October 25 to November 6

The re-bar and concrete forms for the stage are laid.

The stage is poured, while work continues in the theater on air conditioning
under the balcony.

More lifts move into the theater to work on the ceilings and walls. The columns leftover from the front corners of the projection booth are prepared for removal from the center of the balcony.

see some earlier progress shots of the theater here:
Part 1
Part 2

The Stage, Part 3

The construction crew works on laying the concrete form and rebar, viewed from the scenery bay.

See Part 1 and Part 2

Atrium - Video

Painters work on a lift in the atrium, while carpenters install railings on the third floor and columns are sanded on the second floor.

Concession

One of the construction crew works on building the new concession area in the second floor William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation Lobby.

The Stage, Part 2

The construction crew gets the form and rebar set for the pouring of the stage.

See Part 1

Painting

One of the construction crew works on painting the hard to reach spots of the Opera House.

Robert Coppenrath

Director of Development Melissa Burtless tours the theater with Robert Coppenrath.

Roofing

Clay tiles are stacked on the roof, ready for installation.

Work progresses across the front of the Opera House roof.

The Stage, Part 1

The construction crew assembles a metal and wood form of the stage in preparation for the concrete pour.

See the post "Building the Orchestra Pit Walls" for links to all photos of the Orchestra pit Construction.

Atrium

Work proceeds on the atrium.

Welding - Video

The construction crew works on the lighting rail on the front of the balcony.

Building the Orchestra Pit Walls

Cinder blocks are brought into the pit to build the cross under hallway walls.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6 of the orchestra pit construction.

Also, see the photos of the excavation before the pit construction began:
Part 1
Part 2

Maestro Victor DeRenzi

Maestro Victor DeRenzi checks out the new expanded orchestra pit and the newly opened lobby atrium.

Railings - Video

Adams Brothers Cabinetry installs a new section of railing around the atrium.

Balcony

The decking of the balcony is laid, waiting for concrete to be poured.

Patrons Tour the Theater

Donors to the Building on the Vision campaign to renovate the Opera House take a tour to see how work is progressing.

Bud Borax, Scott Collins, Ron Davis and a friend, Roz Sedlesky, a Friend of Sandra Davis, and Mrs. Davis.

Carol and Larry English, Susan Danis, Casiana Schmidt, Laurie Smith and Dr. Shaikund, Bill Schmidt, and Scott Merritt of the Nation City Private Client Group.

More Balcony Seats!

The construction crew works on covering the roof truss over the balcony, which allowed the removal of our projection booth and the addition of more seats.

Orchestra Pit Construction, Part 6

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5

Also, see the photos of the excavation before the pit construction began:
Part 1
Part 2

Plastering

Members of the construction crew work on repairing sections of plaster wall.

Orchestra Pit Construction, Part 5

The walls and floor of the pit are finished and preparation begins for forming the stage.

See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, Part 4

Also, see the photos of the excavation before the pit construction began:
Part 1
Part 2

Railings - Video

Carpenters from Adams Brothers Cabinetry build and install a new section of railing at the third floor of the atrium.

Lifts

Painters and plasterers begin work on the ceiling and walls of the theater using lifts.

Margaret Shaw-Romanes

Director of Development Melissa Burtless takes a tour of the theater with longtime volunteer Margaret Shaw-Romanes and Individual Giving Officer Courtney Balok

Roof Truss

To allow the removal of a pair of columns left in the balcony by the removal of our projection booth, a truss was designed to carry the roof load to the outside walls of the theater. The photos below show its installation.

Portions of the roof truss over the rear of the balcony are put in place by crane.

The truss is covered over in a layer of insulation.

The truss is covered in a layer of sheet metal and awaits its final layer of roofing.

Digging Out the Pit - Video

The last of the pit is cleared out so the forming of the walls and floor can be completed.

Skylight

A few views of the skylight on sunny days during construction this summer and fall.

Work Overhead

One of the construction crew sets drywall on the ceiling.

Orchestra Pit Construction, Part 4 - Video

The side walls of the pit are shored up while the concrete sets.

Work continues on the back wall of the orchestra pit.

See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Also, see the photos of the excavation before the pit construction began:
Part 1
Part 2

Column Stripping - Video

The construction crew works on lifts in the atrium, doing the final preparation of the solid cypress columns for pickling. The pickling process will give the columns a light color, while leaving the graining of the wood exposed.

Theater Floor - Video

These photos show the theater floor being prepared for re-pouring. The new theater layout will meet current requirements of the American Disability Act, and provide better sight-lines for many seats in the house.

2nd Floor Lobby, Part 3

Drywall, painting, and trim work progress in the new second floor lobby which will be named the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation Lobby, in honor of the Foundation's generous support of the Building on the Vision campaign.

See Part 2 and Part 1

Chester and Ann Hryniewicz

Chester and Ann Hryniewicz tour the theater with Sarasota Opera Controller Ken Kwiatkowski

Crane, Part 2

The crane which was assembled here, is used to lift ductwork into the attic of the Opera House.

Atrium Scaffolding

Scaffolding is setup in the atrium to allow plaster work to be done.

Orchestra Pit and Theater

An early view of the William E. Schmidt Opera Theater and the Alisa and Ernest Kretzmer Orchestra pit from the stage of the Opera House.

McCorkle Lounge Plastering - Video

A plaster texture is applied to the drywall in the third floor McCorkle Lounge.

The view from the corner of the McCorkle Lounge, looking towards the Atrium.

Orchestra Pit Construction, Part 3

As the front wall of the orchestra pit is completed and preparations begin for pouring the theater floor, work goes on finishing the rear walls and floor area of the pit.

See Part 1 and Part 2.

Also, see the photos of the excavation before the pit construction began:
Part 1
Part 2

Atrium Columns

Workers patch up the atrium columns to prepare them for pickling. This process will give the columns a light color and leave the wood graining exposed.

Roofing

Workers install the roof flashings and prepare to start replacing the terracotta tiles.

Box Office, Part 4

Work continues on the Box Office in the theater lobby.

This ticket window will open an hour before curtain to provide convenient service before shows, while the Box Office in the Pavilion will continue to operate normal hours.
See a full timeline of the Box Office progress below:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Ray of Light

Sunlight pours into the theater while equipment is being loaded into the attic through an access door in the roof.

Paint Stripping

A member of the construction crew goes to work with a heat gun and scraper, to clean years of paint off the 1926 solid Cyprus columns around the atrium.

See a video of the work here.

Construction Tour

Executive Director Susan Danis tours the theater with past Board Chair Edward Bavaria, his wife Jane, and their friend Joan Stonecipher.