Understanding Opera Talks

Join us for informative talks presented by General Director Richard Russell and Director of Education Martha Collins at the Sarasota Opera House. Each talk will take place in the Jonas Kamlet Library at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $15 per talk.

October 19, 2023

Opera-not-so-comique

Carmen is an example of "opera comique," an important style of opera in 19th century Paris that was often not very comic. Join Richard Russell as he explores some of the great works of this genre.

October 26, 2023

GYPSIES, TRAMPS AND THIEVES!

Opera composers have long been fascinated by the lives of the Roma or 'Gypsies' as they were known. Martha Collins discusses how they inspired composers to create some of our art form's most compelling and enduring characters and stories.

November 2, 2023

CHANGING VOICES

Singers' voices sometimes change and some have started their careers as one voice type and ended it as another. Richard Russell will survey singers whose careers have included a major shift in the repertoire that they sing and why they did it.

November 9, 2023

CELEBRATING SINGERS FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH

Join Martha Collins as she speaks about the wealth of great opera singers who come from Canada.