The Sarasota Opera House is a historic theater, home to the Sarasota Opera company. The grand 1920s theater combines extravagant Mediterranean Revival architecture with modern theater facilities. Get a taste of Sarasota’s cultural talent and see exciting operatic performances at the heritage venue. With two levels and just over 1,000 seats, the Sarasota Opera House is an intimate setting for seeing familiar classics and little-known gems.
The venue was founded in 1926 as the Edwards Theater, a cultural complex complete with luxury shops and apartments. It then became known as the Florida Theater and was once host to Elvis Presley and Ziegfeld Follies shows. The Sarasota Opera House underwent almost 20 years of renovations and emerged in the 21st century as a state-of-the-art opera venue.
Since 1984, the company has performed over 70 different operas, including 25 by Verdi. The Sarasota Opera House aims to make opera accessible to anybody and the company caters its performances to a wide audience. Real-time English translations of the performances are projected above the stage and informative programs are provided with every production.
Attend a pre-performance introduction and learn about the plot lines and characters of the opus. These helpful introductions are included with your ticket purchase and guide your opera experience so you can concentrate on the music and the performances.
Call the box office or check the website to see the Sarasota Opera’s schedule for the season. The opera house regularly hosts opening night events, extravagant dinners and gala balls so you can join in on an exciting night out with first-time opera-goers and seasoned patrons. Book your tickets in advance and indulge in a dinner at one of the nearby downtown restaurants. Limited “student rush” discount tickets are available for purchase half an hour before the performance with a valid student ID. Snacks and refreshments can be purchased before the show and during intermissions.
The Sarasota Opera House is located in the heart of downtown Sarasota. Two public parking lots are available and complimentary valet parking is offered one hour before the performance begins.
