Sarasota Opera tenor to sing National Anthem at Orioles/Rays opener

From the time he was a child, Joshua Kohl dreamed of becoming a baseball player. But, despite his big dream, Kohl took to opera singing instead.

On March 3, Kohl will get the opportunity to combine his two talents when he sings the national anthem at the Baltimore Orioles’ first spring training game of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium, in Sarasota.

Kohl, a tenor, is currently singing the pricipal role of Tamino in Sarasota Opera’s production of “The Magic Flute.” The Chicago White Sox fan played ball throughout his youth and for his high school varsity team.

“I love baseball,” Kohl said in a prepared statement. “I used to collect baseball cards with my father. When I was a kid, I used to say, ‘I want to be a baseball player when I grow up.'”

Kohl was so into the sport that during his senior year, he made the decision to forego the high school musical just to play on the team. He figured he’d be singing for the rest of his life, but this would be his last chance to play baseball.

Baseball and opera are a family affair in the Kohl household. His wife, Sarah Asmar, a soprano, Boston Red Sox fan and studio artist at Sarasota Opera this season, has sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park.

The game is set for 1:05 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, at Ed Smith Stadium, in Sarasota.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].