Sarasota Opera's artistic director, Victor DeRenzi, has dedicated his career to conducting the works of the legendary Giuseppe Verdi. After leading the company's acclaimed 28-year Verdi Cycle, DeRenzi now takes the baton to lead the Sarasota Orchestra in a concert celebrating the composer's timeless music.

Unlocking the Emotional Power of Verdi's Operatic Gems

A Lifelong Dedication to Verdi's Genius

As the artistic director of the Sarasota Opera, Victor DeRenzi has immersed himself in the music of Giuseppe Verdi, conducting nearly every note composed by the Italian master. Through the company's ambitious Verdi Cycle, which saw the production of all of the composer's operas, including revised versions, Sarasota Opera has become known as Verdi's American home. DeRenzi's deep understanding of Verdi's works and his ability to bring out their emotional depth have made him a leading interpreter of the composer's music.

A Carefully Curated Concert Program

For the upcoming "The Music of Giuseppe Verdi" concert, DeRenzi has carefully selected a program that showcases the breadth and depth of Verdi's operatic genius. The concert will feature arias, duets, and ensembles from nine of the composer's works, spanning his career from the early "I Lombardi all prima crociata" to the late masterpiece "Aida." While the program will include some of Verdi's most beloved pieces, such as selections from "Rigoletto," "La traviata," and "A Masked Ball," DeRenzi has also chosen lesser-known gems that are rarely performed in a concert setting. One such example is the poignant duet "Piangi, fanciulla" from "Rigoletto," which DeRenzi describes as "one of the great moments in Verdi opera, but it's not something that is usually performed outside the context of opera."

A Stellar Cast of Sarasota Opera Favorites

The concert will feature a cast of principal artists who have graced the Sarasota Opera stage in recent seasons. Soprano Virginia Mims, who made her Sarasota Opera debut earlier this year covering the title role in "Lucia di Lammermoor," will be joined by soprano Rochelle Bard, who made her Sarasota debut in 2019 as Abigaille in Verdi's "Nabucco." Baritone Jean Carlos Rodriguez, who made his debut last season as Enrico in "Lucia," and tenor Victor Starsky, who made his Sarasota debut last season as Don Jose in Bizet's "Carmen," will also take the stage. Rounding out the cast is bass Young Bok Kim, a regular with the Sarasota Opera for the past 20 years, having performed major roles in Verdi's "Attila," "Rigoletto," and "Lucia."

Bringing Verdi's Masterpieces to Life

With DeRenzi's unparalleled expertise and the talented cast of Sarasota Opera veterans, "The Music of Giuseppe Verdi" promises to be a captivating and emotionally charged concert. Audiences will have the opportunity to experience the raw power and beauty of Verdi's music, as the performers bring these operatic gems to life on the Sarasota Opera House stage. Whether it's the soaring melodies of "Aida" or the heart-wrenching drama of "Rigoletto," this concert will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who attend.