Bradenton Opera Guild

Bradenton Opera Guild is a nonprofit organization that fosters the appreciation of opera in Manatee County whose objectives are:

• To raise money for the Sarasota Opera Association
• To encourage and assist young singers by sponsoring performances and awarding scholarships
• To develop programs that will introduce opera to school children

General Meetings

Meetings are held at 10:00 AM on the third Wednesday of each month, January through April at the El Conquistador Country Club, 4350 El Conquistador Parkway, Bradenton, Florida, 34209.  Coffee is served at 10:00 AM followed by a brief business meeting and musical program at 10:30 AM.  An optional lunch takes place at the conclusion of the meeting.  Lunch reservations, $15.00 each and can be made by calling Mary Lee Sims at (941) 729-3042.

Bel Canto

A newsletter published monthly to keep members informed on news about the guild, information about coming events, as well as a membership booklet. 

Preludes

Preludes are meant to familiarize members and guests with the operas to be presented in the 2009 season.  Presentations are made on consecutive Saturdays in January 2009

Preludes begin at 10:00 AM are held at the Christ Episcopal Church, 4100 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton.  Tickets are to be purchased at the door.  Light refreshments will also be served.

Scholarships

Bradenton Opera Guild generously gives scholarships to outstanding Sarasota Opera performers and young members of the Manatee County community to assist them in their pursuit of operatic careers.  Scholarship funds are generated through contributions of Guild members and proceeds from events.

Events

Many exciting events are available to members and guests throughout the year.  Here are just a few:

• Winter Gala: The premiere event of the season held at Lakewood Ranch Country Club in January.  This year’s gala will honor the hard work of Sarasota Opera Executive Director, Susan T. Danis.
• Stars of Tomorrow Brunch & Concert: Two amazing events featuring a delicious brunch followed by an amazing concert. 
• Petite Parties: Hosted by BOG members, Petite Parties are just what the name implies, small parties featuring a variety of themes and activities.

Why Join the Bradenton Opera Guild?

We have discovered that listening to excerpts from opera at our monthly meetings or seeing an opera at the Sarasota Opera House gives us a great deal of pleasure.  Many of us like jazz and symphonic music as well as opera.  If you join our guild, you'll discover that operas can be comic or tragic, that operas are about human passion and about victory and defeat.   In opera you hear the power and glory of the human voice, singing memorable melodies.

Membership Year:       June through May
Regular Member:         Individual: $30.00        Couple: $45.00
Sustaining Member:     Individual: $45.00        Couple: $60.00