Moonlight & Melodies Courtyard Dinner: Hansel and Gretel
Date:Friday, November 13, 2026 · 6:30 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House Courtyard
An enchanted forest–themed dinner with live performances inspired by the fairytale opera.
Presented by Sarasota Opera
At the Sarasota Opera
The performances and signature events of Sarasota Opera, the company our Guild proudly supports. Tickets and details for everything on this page are handled by the Opera at sarasotaopera.org.
2026–2027 Season
This season on the Opera House stage
Five mainstage productions plus the Sarasota Youth Opera. Our Prologue lectures introduce each of the five mainstage operas.
Sarasota Youth Opera
Rootabaga Country
Rachel J. Peters
Fall Opera Season
Hansel and Gretel
Engelbert Humperdinck · Adelheid Wette
Fall Opera Season
La traviata
Giuseppe Verdi · Francesco Maria Piave
Winter Opera Festival
H.M.S. Pinafore
Arthur Sullivan · W.S. Gilbert
Winter Opera Festival
Ariadne auf Naxos
Richard Strauss · Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Winter Opera Festival
Jenůfa
Leoš Janáček
Winter Opera Festival
Season artwork by Victoria “Tori” Abramov, a student at the Ringling College of Art and Design, originally from Ukraine. Performance dates and tickets at sarasotaopera.org.
Signature Events
The Opera’s 2026–2027 signature events
Presented by Sarasota Opera. Tickets and reservations through the Opera at (941) 366‑8450 ext. 813, or online.
Sarasota Opera Gala: A Night of Camellias & Champagne
Date:Saturday, January 30, 2027 · 6:00 p.m.
The Ora Grand Ballroom
A glamorous gala evening evoking Parisian elegance, catered by Michael’s On East.
Moonlight & Melodies Courtyard Dinner: Gilbert and Sullivan
Date:Wednesday, February 17, 2027 · 6:30 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House Courtyard
A Victorian-themed dinner celebrating the wit and theatrical charm of Gilbert and Sullivan.
Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon
Date:Tuesday, March 9, 2027 · 11:30 a.m.
Sarasota Yacht Club
Recognizing the season’s outstanding Apprentice and Studio Artists, with a gourmet meal and live performances.
Sarasota Opera 2027 Summer Trip: English Opera Festivals
Date:Tuesday, June 29, 2027
London, Sussex, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, England
A 12-day guided tour of England’s opera heritage, June 29 to July 10, 2027, hosted by Richard Russell, General and Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera. Five operas at the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Longborough and Garsington, with stays in London, Sussex, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford.
Registration and deposit are due November 19, 2026.
The second payment is due December 15, 2026.
The final balance is due January 15, 2027.
Details and registration at sarasotaopera.org$15,750 per traveler, double occupancy$17,850 single occupancyAdd to calendar
Past signature events (2)
2026 to 2027 season (2)
Sarasota Opera 2027 Summer Trip: English Opera Festivals
Date:Tuesday, June 29, 2027
London, Sussex, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, England
A 12-day guided tour of England’s opera heritage, June 29 to July 10, 2027, hosted by Richard Russell, General and Artistic Director of Sarasota Opera. Five operas at the Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne, Longborough and Garsington, with stays in London, Sussex, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford.
Registration and deposit are due November 19, 2026.
The second payment is due December 15, 2026.
The final balance is due January 15, 2027.
This event has passed.
Salute to the Stars Awards Luncheon
Date:Tuesday, March 9, 2027 · 11:30 a.m.
Sarasota Yacht Club
Recognizing the season’s outstanding Apprentice and Studio Artists, with a gourmet meal and live performances.
This event has passed.
Moonlight & Melodies Courtyard Dinner: Gilbert and Sullivan
Date:Wednesday, February 17, 2027 · 6:30 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House Courtyard
A Victorian-themed dinner celebrating the wit and theatrical charm of Gilbert and Sullivan.
This event has passed.
Sarasota Opera Gala: A Night of Camellias & Champagne
Date:Saturday, January 30, 2027 · 6:00 p.m.
The Ora Grand Ballroom
A glamorous gala evening evoking Parisian elegance, catered by Michael’s On East.
This event has passed.
Moonlight & Melodies Courtyard Dinner: Hansel and Gretel
Date:Friday, November 13, 2026 · 6:30 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House Courtyard
An enchanted forest–themed dinner with live performances inspired by the fairytale opera.
This event has passed.
Curtain Raiser Dinner
Date:Sunday, October 25, 2026 · 6:00 p.m.
Michael’s On East
An elegant season-opening celebration with live performances and festive dining.
This event has passed.
Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival
Date:Saturday, September 26, 2026 · 1:00 p.m.
Sarasota Opera House
A community celebration featuring local eateries with food samples and wine tastings, in support of the Sarasota Youth Opera.
This event has passed.
Every season
Mini Events
Intimate gatherings hosted by individuals at special locations, with a variety of entertaining themes, each in support of Sarasota Opera. Space is always limited (typically under 50 guests), and more Mini Events are added throughout the year.
Ever thought about hosting one yourself? A dinner, a theme party, a shared passion, anything goes, and the Opera’s staff handles the reservations. The Opera explains how on their website
Mini Event: A Little Holiday Magic
Date:Friday, December 11, 2026 · 6:00 p.m.
Private home in The Lake Club
An intimate holiday gathering featuring a remarkable display of handcrafted miniature creations, with champagne and light bites in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Online reservations are closed.
Call the Opera’s Development team at (941) 366‑8450 ext. 813.
Mini Event: All Aboard for Brunch
Date:Sunday, March 7, 2027 · 11:30 a.m.
Private home
A brunch inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, with Nova Scotian-inspired fare and music, in support of Sarasota Opera.
Past Mini Events (0)
2026 to 2027 season (0)
Mini Event: All Aboard for Brunch
Date:Sunday, March 7, 2027 · 11:30 a.m.
Private home
A brunch inspired by Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore, with Nova Scotian-inspired fare and music, in support of Sarasota Opera.
This event has passed.
Mini Event: A Little Holiday Magic
Date:Friday, December 11, 2026 · 6:00 p.m.
Private home in The Lake Club
An intimate holiday gathering featuring a remarkable display of handcrafted miniature creations, with champagne and light bites in a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
Online reservations are closed.
Call the Opera’s Development team at (941) 366‑8450 ext. 813.
This event has passed.
Looking for Guild events?
Our own Social & Singers meetings, Prologue lectures, and special events live on the Guild’s events calendar.
Guild events & calendar