Sarasota Ballet Announces a Special Evening of Music and Dance
Mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade. Photo by Robert Miller
The Sarasota Ballet has announced they will present the first annual “Celebration of Two Worlds” event on Jan. 8, 2017, at the Sarasota Opera House.
The “two worlds” here are music and, not surprisingly, dance. But this event is not focused only on performance by the Sarasota company. Rather, it’s bringing some internationally known performers to the Sarasota area.
The event will feature mezzo-soprano Frederica Von Stade, composer/pianist Jake Heggie, principal dancers of American Ballet Theatre Gillian Murphy, Marcelo Gomes and Daniil Simkin, as well as a special presentation by Sarasota Ballet company members and other guest artists from ABT.
Composer-pianist Jake Heggie
Director Iain Webb calls the event “a treat for the Sarasota community, but also to our dancers, who will have the opportunity to share the stage with some of the greatest performers working today.” And executive director Joseph Volpe echoes the impact of that rare opportunity, adding, “The evening will be an exquisite representation of the classical art forms—music, opera and dance.” (Volpe's contacts as the former longtime general manager of the Metropolitan Opera may have something to do with the names being booked for the Sarasota event.)
American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Daniil Simkin. Photo courtesy NYC Dance Project
ABT dancer Gillian Murphy. Photo by Rosalie O'Connor
ABT dancer Marcelo Gomes
More than just a performance, the evening will also share part of the proceeds with a benevolent fund to help Sarasota Ballet company members when they experience economic hardships. Hence the ticket price—starting at $500 per person—which includes dinner at the Ritz-Carlton and transportation from there to the opera house and back.
For more information and reservations, call (941) 225-6504 or email [email protected].
