The Sarasota Opera House plays host to everything from opera, symphony and classical ballet to film festivals, popular music concerts, comedy shows and clowns. In addition to the theater, the Opera Complex includes a Pavilion with a spacious, multi-purpose banquet/performance facility; the Peterson Great Room, which can seat up to 390 people. Private meeting space, as well as private rehearsal rooms are part of the pavilion. The William E. Schmidt Opera Theatre seats 1,122.
"One of the finest venues for opera in America"
—MusicalAmerica.com"In the winter, it would be hard to beat the pleasantly laid-back resort town of Sarasota on Florida's west coast, with its warm and sunny weather, excellent restaurants, and a delightful 1000 seat art deco Opera House, whose acoustics are superb."
—OPERA, London"With the dimensions of the Opera House, which almost guarantee an engaging experience between audience and singers, and DeRenzi's full throttle approach to each work, whether he's conducting it or not, a dull performance at the Sarasota Opera is hard to come by."
—OPERA NEWS, New York"Sarasota Opera—A Gem on Florida's Gulf Coast ...The theater's interior configuration and acoustics make audience members feel they are sitting in the center of the sound."
—THE BLADE, Toledo"Over the last decade, the output has been first-rate, blending traditional with adventurous programming ... an acoustical jewel."
—BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE