Sarasota Opera's DeRenzi and Russell sign new contracts

Donald Worthington, chairman of the Sarasota Opera Board of Trustees, announced at the May 19 Sarasota Opera annual meeting that Maestro Victor DeRenzi signed a 10-year contract and Richard Russell signed a seven-year contract.

First, leaders of Sarasota Opera recapped the opera's successful season: adding $1 million to the endowment (now at nearly $6 million) and a surplus of nearly $200,000 in expenses, and reaching new subscribers and audiences, to name a few.

Worthington said it was the strongest report from staff he's seen in a long time.

"We're not just alive and well, we're headed on the move," he says.

After stating all these reasons and more for why the duo leading Sarasota Opera's way has done a great job, the board was glad to announce they'd be sticking around.

Other big news announced was that next season's operas will start at 7:30 p.m. (with the exception of "Don Carlos," which will start at 6:30 p.m.).