Sarasota, FL— Sarasota Opera is pleased to announce the lineup for the 2019 season of “HD at the Opera House” and “Classic Movies at the Opera House.”  The “HD at the Opera House” series will open on Sunday, May 19th and run through October 6th. The series will include presentations of Opera and Ballet from some of the world’s most famous venues and companies including the Royal Opera House, Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, Semper Opera in Dresden, and the Royal Ballet. Each presentation will begin at 1:30pm. The “Classic Movies at the Opera House” will begin Friday, May 31st, and will feature timeless films shown on the big screen in the historic Opera House. Classic Movies will start at 7:30pm. Refreshments will be available to enjoy in the theater for all movie events.

HD at the Opera House

Sunday, May 19th at 1:30pm
La forza del destino
Giuseppe Verdi’s sweepingly ambitious opera about war, religion, love and fate is given a cinematic staging by Christof Loy. From the Royal Opera House, London, starring Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, and Ludovic Tézier; conducted by Antonio Pappano.

Sunday, June 2nd at 1:30pm
Mayerling
Dangerous desires, family secrets and political intrigues twist through every moment of daring choreography in Kenneth MacMillan’s ballet inspired by true events. Music by Franz Liszt. Performance by the Royal Ballet, London. 

Sunday, June 16th at 1:30pm
Faust
Experience the elegance and decadence of 1870s Paris in David McVicar’s spectacular production of Charles Gounod’s best-loved opera. From the Royal Opera House, London, starring Michael Fabiano, Diana Damrau and Erwin Schrott; conducted by Dan Ettinger.

Sunday, June 30th at 1:30pm
Within the Golden Hour / New Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui / Flight Pattern
The contemporary face of The Royal Ballet, London, in revivals of works by Wheeldon and Pite and a world premiere by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.

Sunday, July 14th at 1:30pm
The Merry Widow
>From the Semperoper Dresden, The Merry Widow tells the story of a wealthy widow in search of a new husband. The work was a major success for its composer Franz Lehár. Starring Petra Maria Schnitzer and Bo Skovhus, conducted by Manfred Honeck. 

Sunday, July 28th at 1:30pm
Romeo and Juliet
Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers encounter passion and tragedy in Kenneth MacMillan’s 20th-century ballet masterpiece. Music by Sergey Prokofiev, performance by the Royal Ballet, London.

Sunday, August 11th at 1:30pm
La Gioconda
Set in 17th-century Venice, this emblematic work from the period between Verdi’s heyday and the dawn of Verismo is the best known of Amilcare Ponchielli’s operas. Production from Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, starring Saioa Hernández, Dolora Zajick, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, and Brian Jagde; conducted by Guillermo García Calvo.

Sunday, August 25th at 1:30pm
Die Walküre
Antonio Pappano conducts a great cast including Stuart Skelton, Emily Magee, John Lundgren and Nina Stemme in the second opera in Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen. Production from the Royal Opera, London.

Sunday, September 8th at 1:30pm
The Nutcracker
A treat for the whole family and a classic with a special place in the hearts of ballet fans around the world. Choreographed by Peter Wright, with music by Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky. Performance by the Royal Ballet, London.

Sunday, September 22nd at 1:30pm
La traviata
Richard Eyre’s stunning production of Verdi’s best-loved opera returns with star soprano Ermonela Jaho as Violetta; the casts also include Plácido Domingo and Charles Castronovo; conducted by Antonello Manacorda. Production from the Royal Opera, London.

Sunday, October 6th at 1:30pm
La Bayadère
Natalia Makarova’s production of this 19th-century classic ballet brings an exotic world of temple dancers and noble warriors to life. Music by Czech composer Ludwig Minkus, whose music is amongst the most performed in all of ballet. Performance by the Royal Ballet, London.

Tickets to “HD at the Opera House” are $20 for single ticket buyers and $18 for current Sarasota Opera subscribers. All seating is general admission. Information and tickets can be found online at SarasotaOpera.org or by calling (941) 328-1300. You can also visit the Sarasota Opera Box Office at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. (Sarasota Opera Subscribers who wish to receive the 10% discount of HD at the Opera House tickets must contact the Sarasota Opera Box Office directly)