School Programs
Opera combines thrilling music with compelling stories that are told with deep emotional commitment! We look forward to sharing the wonder of opera with all ages. Explore the programs and performances offered below. See you at the opera!
OPERA ARTISTS IN SCHOOLS
A visit to your school or classroom by the Sarasota Opera Resident Artists will introduce your students to the thrilling world of opera. Through a performance of opera excerpts and Q&A, students will learn about the basics of opera, theater, careers in the arts, music terms and more.
Cost
FREE for all schools
Available Dates
October 1 to November 20
Technical Requirements
A piano is an asset, but Sarasota Opera can provide one if necessary.
Grade Levels
Intended for and adaptable to all grade levels (Kindergarten through 12th Grade)
To Sign Up
Standards & Benchmarks
COMING SOON
Questions and Inquiries
Please email Martha Collins, Director of Education at [email protected] or call (941) 328-1307.
INVITATION TO OPERA
Students and teachers are invited to attend orchestra dress rehearsals for free!
Come experience the uniqueness of live opera and interact with performers during intermissions!
The English text is projected above the stage, so all the action is easy to follow!
Cost
FREE for school and homeschool groups
2026-27 Season Opportunities
Hansel and Gretel
Music by Engelbert Humperdinck, Libretto by Adelheid Wette
Youthful wonder, courage, and strength in an enchanted forest.
Tuesday, October 27th, 2:00-5:00 PM
Sung in English with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fable, the story follows two siblings who stray into the forest, encounter a beguiling Gingerbread Witch, and find courage in the face of peril. Musically sophisticated but accessible for all ages, Hansel and Gretel blends rich orchestration with folk‑like melodies. The opera conveys a journey from hardship and temptation to wonder and homecoming, offering a timeless reflection on innocence, resourcefulness, and the power of family.
For more information and the story of the opera: Hansel and Gretel (opera) - Wikipedia
H.M.S. Pinafore
Music by Arthur Sullivan, Libretto by W.S. Gilbert
Spirited satire, romance, and mischief aboard a Royal Navy ship.
Thursday, February 11th from 12:00-3:00 PM
Sung in English with English supertitles projected above the stage.
Sarasota Opera's inaugural staging of a Gilbert and Sullivan work, H.M.S. Pinafore is a cornerstone of Victorian comic operetta, where questions of love and social rank spark humor and delight. At the center of this story, set aboard a British Navy ship, is the earnest sailor Ralph Rackstraw and Josephine, the captain's daughter, whose affection challenges the strict hierarchies of their world. The uproarious satire includes witty patter songs and memorable melodies that make it a perennial favorite for audiences of all ages.
For more information and the story of the opera: H.M.S. Pinafore - Wikipedia
Ariadne auf Naxos
Music by Richard Strauss, Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Rivalry, comedy, and mythical reinvention in Vienna.
Thursday, February 25th from 12:00-3:00 PM
Sung in English with English supertitles projected above the stage.
A dazzling operatic fusion of myth and comedy, the story begins with a lively backstage prologue in which an opera troupe and a comedy ensemble are forced to perform together. The resulting spectacle sets the mythical, mournful Ariadne alongside the playful Zerbinetta and her band of comedians. The opera showcases Strauss’s gift for intertwining emotional depth with theatrical spectacle, masterfully balancing lush lyricism and clever playfulness.
For more information and the story of the opera: Ariadne auf Naxos - Wikipedia
Jenůfa
Music and Libretto by Leoš Janáček
Tradition, tragedy, and hidden truths in a Moravian village.
Thursday, March 4th from 12:00-3:00 PM
Sung in Czech with English supertitles projected above the stage.
This landmark Czech opera is a captivating work of realism and emotional depth, following young Jenůfa as she endures hardship, love, and the unyielding expectations of her village. Central to the drama is the Kostelnička, Jenůfa’s stepmother – played by world renowned soprano Karita Mattila in her Sarasota Opera debut – whose desperate attempt to protect her stepdaughter leads to tragic consequences.
For more information and the story of the opera: Jenůfa - Wikipedia
Grade Levels
We encourage teachers to review the synopsis of the opera or speak with our Director of Education to discuss appropriateness of content for specific age groups.
Contact Martha Collins / [email protected] / 941-328-1307
Standards & Benchmarks
COMING SOON
To Sign Up
Chaperone Guidelines
Schools: 1 adult for every 10 students
Homeschoolers: 1 adult for every 4 students
Questions & Inquiries
Please email Martha Collins, Director of Education at [email protected] or call (941) 328-1307.
OPERA HOUSE TOUR AND CAREER EXPLORATION
Experience the thrill of standing on the opera stage! Explore the Opera House through interactive tours highlighting the history of the Opera House, its connection to Sarasota, and careers in the arts. Tours include visits to the backstage area, the scenic, costume, and prop shops as well as Q&A sessions. When available, the tour will culminate with a short performance of opera excerpts by our Professional Resident Artists.
Students will:
• Explore connections to social studies, visual arts, theatre arts, and music
• Learn about the many careers within the arts, both on and off the stage
• Identify the duties of some of backstage careers at the Opera House
• Examine the history of the Sarasota Opera House
• Gain an understanding of the economic and civic importance of the arts in the Sarasota region
Cost
Free
Availability
Dates TBD
Grade Levels
Available for grades 4 and up
Group Size
Maximum of 60 per group tour.
To Sign Up
Standards & Benchmarks
Please email Martha Collins, Director of Education at [email protected] or call (941) 328-1307.
Questions and Inquiries
Please email Martha Collins, Director of Education at [email protected] or call (941) 328-1307.
Youth Opera Alumni
Youth Opera Alumni
It was wonderful to welcome so many past members to our Fall 2025 Alumni Event at the YO Production of Brundibar!
This fall we invite you to attend our YO Production of Rootabaga Country and following reception. RSVP below to reserve your two complimentary tickets to either the performance on Saturday, November 8th at 5:00 PM or the matinee on Sunday, November 9th at 12:00 PM. To sign up for your free tickets go to:
https://form.jotform.com/260975596705169
