LIBRETTO SUMMER 2025 | ISSUE 162
2025 Winter Opera Festival Memories BY RICHARD RUSSELL
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t seems like the Winter Opera Festival flies by and is soon just a memory. But what great memories they are, with four superlative productions of great works and enthusiastic response from our audiences.
The trusty double bill of Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci were an exciting pair for Opening Night, with a cast of thrilling voices creating a dramatic impact. As a contrast, the charming comedy of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville afforded many laughs amongst the beguiling music. Mozart’s classic The Marriage of Figaro once again came to life through the composer’s genius with a cast and production fully up to the task. For many, Verdi’s Stiffelio was the surprise of the season. Although it is not one of the more well-known of the composer’s works, it is still a major piece with many exciting and beautiful moments. The heroes of the season were the talented chorus of Apprentice and Studio Artists and the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, whose collective voices completed the picture and made each performance a memorable one. CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA AND PAGLIACCI Victor DeRenzi, conductor Martha Collins, stage director David P. Gordon, scenic designer
Sara Kennedy as Lola and Rafael Dávila as Turiddu (Cavalleria rusticana)
Howard Tsvi Kaplan, costume designer Ken Yunker, lighting designer
Jean Carlos Rodríguez as Tonio and Ashley Milanese as Nedda (Pagliacci)
Lisa Chavez as Santuzza (Cavalleria rusticana)
Rafael Dávila as Canio and Ashley Milanese as Nedda (Pagliacci)
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SARASOTA OPERA | LIBRETTO
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