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Sweet Sounds On A Sunday Evening

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

For the past five years, early on a certain Sunday evening every fall, the hallways bordering the Freedom Plaza Auditorium are suddenly filled with residents ostensibly waiting on elevators. People using the walking track surrounding the auditorium are simply standing still. There is no conversation, only rapt attention to sounds emanating from within the closed doors.

Singers from Sarasota Opera are warming up for their annual "Sunday Serenade" at Freedom Plaza. In a short time, the doors will open, seats will fill and attendees will be treated to yet another evening of beautiful singing by four attractive young vocalists on their way to opera stages throughout the world. They will be members of the Sarasota Opera's renowned Apprentice Program, one of the best vehicles in the country for launching young, aspiring singers on their operatic careers.

These four - and they are different singers each year -- will have completed their college music degrees; studied under a succession of fine vocal coaches; performed prodigiously; learned numerous operatic roles and now need that indispensable experience of actual stage performance to refine their art. Only a few decades ago, they would have gone to Europe for that opportunity; now they can obtain it here, in the U.S., in programs such as Sarasota Opera provides.

Through strenuous and demanding auditions across the country, a few promising singers are selected as apprentices and given, free of charge, this invaluable gift of work and study. They return it - and gain additional audience experience -- by presenting programs, such as these given annually at Freedom Plaza. Proceeds from this concert will go toward supporting this admirable educational endeavor by the Sarasota Opera. Tickets are $5.

This year the date set for "Sunday Serenade" is Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The program selections, as always, will be varied and include familiar arias, Broadway tunes and favorite songs. The public is cordially invited; no reservations necessary.

Peggy Burgess is a creative consultant for Freedom Plaza.

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