- April 1, 2025
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Martha Collins and Richard Russell, general director of The Sarasota Opera
Photo by Lori SaxPam Kemper, Karen Fischer and Maureen Swick toast to the Sarasota Opera Food & Wine Festival.
Photo by Lori SaxMelissa Hulian and Mitch Maley
Photo by Lori SaxRoseann Gaglio and Ginny Dellutri volunteer at the event.
Photo by Lori SaxLarisa Yeazell, Victor DeRenzi, artistic director and conductor of the Sarasota Opera, and Lael Mohib
C.J. and Chelsea Agate with Sarah and Robert Rohanna
Photo by Lori SaxRoger and Phyllis Barry
Photo by Lori SaxThe Sarasota Food & Wine Festival serves up tastes from local restaurants.
Photo by Lori SaxThe Sarasota Youth Opera performs at the Sarasota Food & Wine Festival.
Paul Sellers stands by to help patrons enjoy the event to the fullest.
Andrew Vac and Ramona Glanz
Photo by Lori SaxDawn Cracco, Randy Kelly, Michael Kristof and Amy Warren
Photo by Lori SaxChristine Nordstrom and Elizabeth Gay with Five-O Donuts.
Photo by Lori SaxAron and Amber Lamerson
Photo by Lori SaxJenny Santillan, Mayi Barov, Schenette-Franco, Susan Oliva and Claudia Wright
Photo by Lori SaxDiana Dizon, Howard Tsvi Kaplan and Jake Stamatis
Photo by Lori SaxLynda Houston and Linda Briscoe
Photo by Lori SaxEric Schnittker, Casey Meaux and Jessica Rubin
Photo by Lori SaxMatt and Barbara McAleer
Photo by Lori SaxDeborah Hill, Louis Kosiba, Ina Goldberg and Cosette Kosiba
Photo by Lori SaxMelissa Lynch, Nicholle Betow, Brenda Kleiber, Laura Faber and Dennis Larson
Photo by Lori SaxEd and Traci Doughty and Amanda and Michael Koulaw
Photo by Lori SaxQuentin Bellamy, Patricia Dore and Jay Tromp
Photo by Lori SaxRudy and LeeAnn Poe
Photo by Lori SaxScott Sharp and Marilyn Himes
Photo by Lori SaxBianca Alfalla and Nick Jones with Sarasota Police oversee the event.
Photo by Lori SaxD.J. Karim Manning
Photo by Lori SaxCarolyn James and Kaylin Dangaran
Photo by Lori SaxRoseann Gaglio, Maureen Matthews, JoAnn Whitehead, Ellen Sakamoto and Ginny Dellutri
Photo by Lori SaxYouth Opera participants Tori Morales-Franco, Ara Martinez, Dyllan Murphy and Kai Casey
Photo by Lori SaxBarbara and Joe Justiz with Pam Biladeau
Photo by Lori SaxMichele Allen, Heidi Newman and Val Miller
Photo by Lori SaxThe historic Sarasota Opera House provided the backdrop for its annual Food & Wine Festival Sept. 21, where Sarasota and Manatee restaurants served up their finest fare. Supporting the Sarasota Youth Opera, the proceeds are used for education and programming for one of the nation's top youth opera programs.
About 450 tickets were purchased for an afternoon of sampling delicious food, wine, coffee and libations — all carefully chosen and thoughtfully organized by top area restaurateurs. Socializing was the main activity, and the youth opera delighted guests with two performances.
With her attention to even the tiniest of detail, event planner Mary Kenealy and her team were thrilled that the newest level of VIP tickets offered were immediately sold out. Upper-tier tickets include an earlier admission into the event, which was set up on the backstage, giving guests a peek at how enormous the opera house truly is.
"This event is a signature kickoff to our season and introduces people to the opera who might not otherwise know about our youth program," said longtime supporter, Peter Kretzmer. "Opening our doors for a more casual event makes the opera accessible and gives a great sense of what we are all about while supporting our youth."
Under the direction of General Manager Richard Russell, the Sarasota Opera's mission and vision are to produce impassioned opera performances true to the vision of the composer, to entertain, enrich, educate, and inspire a life-long love of opera in our diverse and growing communities.
