2026–2027 Season
A season of music, learning, and friendship. Social & Singers meetings are always free and open to everyone, so bring your friends. Most other events are ticketed; details are on each listing.
Date:Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · 10:30 a.m.
Sarasota Opera House, Peterson Room
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
The Guild will present a $5,000 check to the Sarasota Youth Opera at this meeting.
Date:Friday, October 23, 2026 · 10:30 a.m.
Sarasota Opera House, Kamlet Library
Maestro Anthony Barrese, who conducts this production, speaks on Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel in a special joint event with the Manatee Opera Guild.
A joint event with the Manatee Opera Guild.
Date:Tuesday, November 10, 2026 · 10:30 a.m.
Sarasota Opera House, Peterson Room
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
Date:Wednesday, November 18, 2026 · 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Private residence
A private party thanking our Patrons. Everyone registering as a Patron for the Poinsettia Luncheon by November 9 is invited. No separate registration is needed.
Date:Wednesday, December 2, 2026 · 11:00 a.m.
Michael’s On East
Our 42nd annual Poinsettia Luncheon, celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. Enjoy a delicious lunch, silent auction, gift baskets, and outstanding live performances by members of the Circus Arts Conservatory. Proceeds assist Sarasota Opera, the Youth Opera, and aspiring opera singers.
Patrons ($150 each, $90 tax-deductible) R.S.V.P. by Monday, November 9. Patrons are invited to a private party on November 18 and listed in the program. Guests ($100 each, $50 tax-deductible) R.S.V.P. by Thursday, November 19. Sponsorships available from $250.
Date:Tuesday, January 5, 2027 · 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer
A guided introduction to Verdi’s La traviata ahead of the Sarasota Opera production. Presented by Rosanne Martorella.
Date:Monday, January 11, 2027 · 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer
A guided introduction to Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore ahead of the Sarasota Opera production. Presented by Rosanne Martorella.
Date:Friday, January 15, 2027 · 10:30 a.m.
Selby Library, Auditorium
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
Date:Tuesday, January 19, 2027 · 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer
A guided introduction to Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos ahead of the Sarasota Opera production. Presented by Martha Collins, Sarasota Opera Director of Education and stage director of this production.
Date:Monday, January 25, 2027 · 4:00 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer
A guided introduction to Janáček’s Jenůfa ahead of the Sarasota Opera production. Presented by Joy McIntyre, a retired opera singer who sang the role of the Kostelnička during her celebrated career.
This season, the principal role of the Kostelnička will be sung by Finnish superstar soprano Karita Mattila, the first Artist-in-Residence at Sarasota Opera. Watch her signature role: the Kostelnička’s aria (2025) · at the Metropolitan Opera.
Date:Wednesday, February 3, 2027 · 11:00 a.m.
Sarasota Opera House, 2nd Floor Lobby
A special Guild event featuring set designer Steven C. Kemp, who is designing this season’s Sarasota Opera productions of Hansel and Gretel, La traviata, and Jenůfa. Program details to be announced.
Date:Tuesday, February 16, 2027 · 10:30 a.m.
Selby Library, Auditorium
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
Date:Tuesday, March 16, 2027 · 10:30 a.m.
Selby Library, Auditorium
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
Date:Wednesday, April 14, 2027 · 3:00 p.m.
Oscar Scherer State Park
We close the season outdoors with a festive picnic and the installation of next year’s officers.
Date:Wednesday, August 5, 2026 · 11:30 a.m.
Stoneybrook Golf and Country Club
Betsy Hudson Traba and Fernando Traba, principal flute and principal bassoon of the Sarasota Orchestra, journey through the “Gallic style”: the elegant Baroque curves of Boismortier, the mythical landscapes of Mouquet, and the Parisian charm of Grovlez and Bizet. Then they cross the Atlantic to celebrate the historic friendship between the two nations. With pianist Jessé Martins. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; lunch is served at noon.
Date:Tuesday, September 15, 2026 · 10:30 a.m.
Sarasota Opera House, Peterson Room
Member meeting with a program, live music by Sarasota Opera singers, refreshments, and a short business meeting. Open to everyone.
Special guest speaker: Angelica Hull, Director of Grants & Advocacy, Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, speaking on “Arts, Philanthropy and their Impact on the Quality of Life.”
Good to know
Member meetings with a program, live music, and refreshments, at 10:30 a.m., generally the third Tuesday of the month, fall through spring. Always free, and open to everyone.
Skilled lecturers discuss and provide insights into each of the 2026–2027 Sarasota Opera productions: Hansel and Gretel, La traviata,H.M.S. Pinafore, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Jenůfa.
Our signature gatherings, from the Poinsettia Luncheon at Michael’s On East to the end‑of‑season picnic, where fellowship and fundraising meet.
Events with tickets can be paid securely online, or by check using our printable forms. Online prices include a small card‑processing fee; paying by check avoids it. Reservations close seven days before ticketed events.
