Sarasota Youth Opera to present a revival of the historic children’s opera Brundibár
A melodic parable of good conquering evil,
with a positive message that resonates in today’s world
November 5, 2019
Contact: Lana Mullen, Communications Coordinator
(941) 328-1322
[email protected]
Sarasota, FL – Sarasota Youth Opera will present a revival of their acclaimed production of Brundibár by Hans Krása at 7 pm on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, 2019. Originally performed by children at the Theresienstadt concentration camp during WWII, this allegorical tale has three heroes — a sparrow, a cat and a very wise dog — helping two children raise the money needed to save their ailing mother, despite the evil organ grinder Brundibár. The cast of 87 young people is comprised of Sarasota Youth Opera members ranging in age from 8 to 18. The opera is preceded by a moving prologue crafted by Sarasota Youth Opera music director Jesse Martins and stage director Martha Collins, featuring the determined and poignant words of children throughout history. The entire performance is a family-friendly 90 minutes, sung in English, with one intermission. Individual tickets are $15 for students, $30 for adults, and can be purchased at SarasotaOpera.org and at the Sarasota Opera Box Office. Family Pack tickets (up to 2 adults and 4 students) are only $65 and are available by phone at (941) 328-1300 or at the Sarasota Opera Box Office located at 61 N. Pineapple Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
Educational activities throughout the community will engage young people and adults
Sarasota Opera is proud to partner with Embracing Our Differences on a special school-time matinee of Brundibár on Friday, November 15 at 10:30 AM and The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee on Holocaust survivor visits to participating schools. Materials to help prepare students for their live opera experience are included in an educational resource guide distributed to teachers which complements survivor visits provided through the Jewish Federation. This special matinee is being provided at no cost to schools, with transportation provided courtesy of Embracing Our Differences & tickets provided courtesy of the Sarasota Opera.
About Sarasota Youth Opera
Since 1984, Sarasota Youth Opera has given thousands of young people an opportunity to experience opera first hand through participation in after-school choruses, Sarasota Opera mainstage productions, summer workshops, and fully staged Youth Opera productions. As the only program in the United States committed to presenting annual full-scale opera productions for young voices, accepting all who wish to participate regardless of skill level or ability to pay, Sarasota Youth Opera is a national model for opera education.
Youth Opera Choruses: Beginning at age 8, singers are placed in one of two chorus levels. Each chorus provides a setting for everyone to participate and progress at their own level as they gain greater skills and experience. Selections performed are made up of classical music, which includes opera and choral pieces in different languages. The choruses perform throughout the community in formal concerts and outreach events.
Opera Mainstage Season: Members of the Youth Opera are selected to join Sarasota Opera’s Winter Festival season, appearing in the mainstage children’s chorus, as supernumeraries (extras who perform non-singing roles) and for special roles written by the composer for children's voices. In recent seasons these have included roles in La bohème, Tosca, Carmen, and--in the upcoming 2019 Winter Festival—The Magic Flute and Turandot. Singers are involved in the complete production process – from early music and dramatic rehearsals to performing alongside opera professionals.
Youth Opera Productions: Part of Sarasota Opera’s commitment to young people includes the commissioning of new operatic works written for children and young adults. Six new works have been presented as part of this mission: Deadline (1989), Polly Pen’s Her Lightness (1993), Tom Suta’s Eye of Ra (1998), John Kennedy’s The Language of Birds (2004), Daron Hagen’s Little Nemo in Slumberland (2012) and Rachel J. Peters’ Rootabaga Country (2017). Members take part in the making of each opera, complete with professional staging, costumes, lighting, sound, and orchestral accompaniment.
Sarasota Opera • 61 N. Pineapple Avenue • Sarasota, FL 34236 • (941) 366-8450 www.sarasotaopera.org
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