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The Sarasota Opera: Attend Three Operas

Program Number: 13578RJ
Start and End Dates:
3/7/2013 - 3/11/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Sarasota, Florida
Price starting at: $948.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Music Appreciation; History & Culture
Meals: 9; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Curtains up, it’s opening night! Home to more than just swaying palms and sand beaches on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is also home to a true ommagio operatico. Join us for an exploration into the dramatic world of opera as the prestigious Sarasota Opera Company opens its 55th season at the magnificent Mediterranean Revival-style Edwards Theater. Feel the gaiety in a vibrato, the sadness of an aria lamentosa, and enjoy an intermezzo exploring the colorful, artistic streets of Florida’s capital of culture.




Highlights

• Go backstage with performers and technicians, and take a peek at the rich costumes as you delve into opera beyond the stage.
• Receive expert instruction from veterans of the stage and divas in their own right, as you analyze, review and critique the performances.
• Explore the rich cultural scene of St. Armands Circle, famed for its dining and the statuary of the late John and Mable Ringling.



Activity Particulars

Minimal walking and standing on this program.




Date Specific Information

3-7-2013

Attend the following three operas: "Pearl Fishers, Mice & Men, Turandot"



Coordinated by Senior Friendship Centers, Inc.




Sarasota

Situated on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on Florida's west coast, Sarasota is rich in cultural treasures and recreational attractions within a short driving distance, including the outstanding John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ringling Museum of the Circus, art galleries, golf courses and beaches.
Accommodations
Comfortable modern hotel, hot tub and heated pool on-site.
Meals and Lodgings
   Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
  Sarasota, FL 4 nights
 Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
Type: Four-Star Hotel
  Description: Hotel is located on Lake Osprey in the Nationally Renowned Master Planned Community of Lakewood Ranch, minutes from many of the area attractions. Close to restaurants, a hospital, pharmacy, grocery stores, movie theaters, hair salons etc., some within walking distance.
  Contact info: 6231 Lake Osprey Drive
Sarasota, FL 34240 USA
phone: 941-782-4400
web: www.hilr.com
  Room amenities: In room coffeemakers, refrigerator, microwave, hair dryers, iron and ironing board, data ports, 2 two-line phones, desk, ergonomic chair, high speed Internet service, plug in or wireless, color TV/remote, in-room pay movies, cable/HBO, alarm clock radio.
  Facility amenities: Hotel has a heated outdoor swimming pool/spa, fitness center, full service restaurant, cocktail lounge, room service, on-site laundry facilities, free parking.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior: $119-$149 AAA Rate Please make reservations as soon as possible this hotel fills up quickly during season. Please call the hotel directly at 941-782-4400 not the national toll free number in order to receive the AAA discounted rate.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM
  Additional nights after: $119-$149 AAA Rate Please make reservations as soon as possible this hotel fills up quickly during season. Please call the hotel directly at 941-782-4400 not the national toll free number in order to receive the AAA discounted rate.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Meet between 3:00-4:45pm in the hotel meeting room for registration. You will be staying at Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch that night.
  End of Program:
Program ends at 11:15am followed by a box lunch. You will be staying at Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required.
  Parking availability:
Free
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Sarasota, FL
  Nearest city or town:  Sarasota
  Nearest highway: I-75
  Nearest airport:  Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Sarasota, FL
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Starlight Limousine
phone: 941-957-6761
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $85 to hotel
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 10 min 
 

Distance:

 

60 miles
   

They use executive town cars and SUVs, please ask for Rick.
 

Tampa International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Commercial Van/Shuttle
Sarasota Tampa Express
phone: 941-032-6280
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$35 to SRQ Airport or office of Sarasota Tampa Express
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hr 20 min 
 

Distance:

 

65 miles
   

Please call in advance for reservations. You will then need to call a taxi to get yourself to the hotel. They can tell you who to call.
 

Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Diplomat Taxi
phone: 941-365-8294

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approx $30
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 min. 
 

Distance:

 

5-6 miles
   

Taxis are readily available 24hrs a day at the SRQ Airport.
 
Driving Directions
  I-75 Sarasota, FL & SRQ Airport From I-75 North or South take exit 213 University Parkway, East, right on Lake Osprey Drive, Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch is on the left. From Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, East on University Parkway - 7 miles, right on Lake Osprey Drive, Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch is on the left.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Registration/Orientation/Introductions/Getting to know you.
(Thursday, March 7)

Note: Participants do not leave the hotel grounds after arrival today.
   
 Arrive To: Registration is between 3:00 - 4:45pm. Hotel check-in is at 4:00pm, room may be ready earlier.
 Afternoon: At 5:00 Orientation of the week and introductions.
 Dinner: Dinner will be catered in at the hotel at 6:00pm. Forms are sent out in advance to see if participants are vegetarian. We can't provide special dietary needs meals, if necessary please make your own personal arrangements if needed.
 Evening: PRESENTATION: Introduction to "The Pearl Fishers."
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: Lecture by costume designer, Lunch Downtown Sarasota, See matinee performance of "The Pearl Fishers," Evening Concert of Apprentice Singers.
(Friday, March 8)

Note: Morning classes at hotel. Minimal walking today, participants are dropped off in front of the opera house as close as possible and picked up as close as possible.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: The assistant costume designer from the Sarasota Opera House will share trade secrets in our private room.
 Lunch: Enjoy lunch on your own in Downtown Sarasota. Bus drops participants downtown and participants walk to the restaurant of their choice for lunch, many within one block of the opera house.
 Afternoon: PERFORMANCE: See 1:30 matinee performance of opera "The Pearl Fishers/Bizet" at Sarasota Opera House. The Pearl Fishers is the story of two men, Nadir and Zurga, whose vow of eternal friendship is threatened by their mutual love for the same woman, the priestess Leila. This proven Sarasota Opera audience favorite features the often-performed Act I duet for tenor and baritone, Au fond du temple saint.
 Evening: Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
 Evening: Enjoy a 5:00pm concert of Apprentice Singers held at the opera house.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Introduction to Opera,Talkback on "The Pearl Fishers," Preview of "Of Mice and Men"/OPENING NIGHT performance of "Of Mice and Men."
(Saturday, March 9)

Note: Minimal walking today, participants are dropped off in front of the opera house as close as possible and picked up as close as possible.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Intro to opera and its voices.

PRESENTATION: Talkback on "The Pearl Fishers"

 Lunch: Lunch at hotel.
 Afternoon: PRESENTATION: Preview and introduction to "Of Mice and Men."
 Dinner: Dinner will be at a local restaurant.
 Evening: PERFORMANCE: OPENING NIGHT! "Of Mice and Men"/CARLYLE FLOYD. Based on the novel and play by John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men is the story of George Milton and Lennie Small. Struggling for work during the depression era, they dream of one day owning their own farm. When fate forces them down a different path, they must say goodbye to the bright future they had hoped for.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Talkback on "Mice and Men," Preview of "Turandot," Dinner will be on your own at St Armands Circle, Evening performance of "Turandot"
(Sunday, March 10)

Note: Morning classes are at the hotel. Bus will drop off participants at St. Armands Circle for dinner on your own, some restaurants are close to the drop off point and some are up to a 1/2 of a mile away round trip walking. Participants are dropped off in front of the opera house as close as possible and picked up as close as possible.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: Talkback on "Mice and Men."

PRESENTATION: Preview and introduction of "Turandot."

 Lunch: Socialize over lunch with your fellow students at the hotel.
 Afternoon: Free afternoon
 Dinner: Dinner on your own. A bus will depart for St. Armands Circle, renowned as a continental marketplace. The Circle is a charming and graceful synthesis of past and present. Relax and enjoy a meal from a plethora of award winning restaurants; shop for trinkets and treasures, high fashion and home decor; from gourmet snacks to candlelit feasts, you'll find it all on St. Armands Circle.
 Evening: PERFORMANCE: "Turandot"/Puccini at 8:00pm. Set in ancient China, the opera tells the story of the beautiful princess Turandot. Men travel the world to risk their lives by trying to solve three riddles. With the correct answers, one will win the heart of the ice princess, but the wrong answer brings death. Boasting some of the Puccini's most glorious music, including the famous tenor aria Nessun Dorma, Turandot will be the largest production ever staged at Sarasota Opera.
   
Accommodations: Holiday Inn-Lakewood Ranch
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5: Visit the Opera House: Behind the Scenes Look, Lunch and program ends.
(Monday, March 11)

Note: Walk behind the scenes involves walking at a moderate pace inside the opera house. There are elevators when we visit the costume shop on the second floor. Participants are dropped off in front of the opera house as close as possible and picked up as close as possible.
   
 Breakfast: An enhanced continental breakfast is available.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Go behind the scenes with a local expert at the Sarasota Opera House, including the costume shop.
 Lunch: A box lunch is offered on the last day to allow students who need to catch an early flight to take their lunch with them. Students who do not need to leave can enjoy their lunch in the meeting room or on the patio by the pool. Program ends after lunch.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Free Time Opportunities
  
  Sarasota, FL Sarasota attractions
Sarasota is known as the cultural arts center of Florida. The area has a plethora of activities: Selby Botanical Gardens, Ringling Museum of Art, Mote Marine Aquarium, Historic Spanish Point, Sarasota Jungle Gardens, Florida WestCoast Symphony, Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, Sarasota Ballet Co., Asolo Theatre Co., Golden Apple Dinner Theatre. The area also offers several high quality beaches, boat rentals, water skiing, canoeing and kayaking. Hiking in two local state parks. For additional information, visit www.sarasotafl.org/
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Pavarotti: My World


Author: Luciano Pavarotti


Maria Callas: A Musical Biography


Author: Robert Levine


The Joy of Music – the chapters – “The American Musical Comedy” and “What Makes Opera Grand”


Author: Leonard Bernstein


Bubbles: A Self-Portrait


Author: Beverly Sills




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