Music contributor Greg Bortnichak is offered the exclusive opportunity to interview Carlisle Floyd, who composed Of Mice and Men, which will wrap up a production at the Sarasota Opera on March 23.

Okay, I know this is going to sound utterly bat-wing, but bear with me. As Sarasotans, we are all about to be a part of something obscenely cool; internationally envied — something truly historic. And no, it’s not the world record for number of jump-splits in a career by Ms. Beneva Fruitville (although that is totally rad). It’s the 200-year anniversary of Giuseppe Verdi’s (that’s “Joe Green” in American) birthday next October — and his birthday just so happens to coincide with the kickoff of the Sarasota Opera’s season run. [...]

  Young-Bok Kim’s deep bass voice has been hailed as commanding and, coupled with his regal stature, makes me think of a dashing and serious fairytale prince. The role of Raimondo the Chaplain in Lucia di Lammermoor is ultimately one of strength and support; but the tragedy that befalls the heroine is an unavoidable descent into madness, and poor Raimondo is helpless in the face of Lucia’s torment. I watched breathlessly as Young-Bok Kim’s face and voice expressed grief and anger on behalf of the poor girl, and by the [...]

Tall, dark and handsome, Harvard graduate Lee Poulis is serious about three things: opera, food and the law. I had the privilege of attending a performance of Lucia Di Lammermoor at the Sarasota Opera House on Thursday, Feb. 23, and Lee’s incredibly commanding performance (as Lucia’s cruel and selfish brother Enrico) was one of the reasons that I was riveted to my seat and—at the end of an emotionally arresting three hours—left wanting more …   Dining Diva: Where are you from? Lee Poulis: Long Island, N.Y. and now I live [...]

Kathleen Kim will debut as Lucia di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti on Saturday at The Sarasota Opera House. The beautiful and vivacious performer sits across from me smiling and a little breathless. She’s been rehearsing and I’ve had the pleasure of her voice as background music during my previous interviews.   Dining Diva: Where are you from? Kathleen Kim: Seoul, South Korea. I left when I was 17.   DD: What is your favorite food from home? KK: It’s all delicious but specifically the street food. My favorite is a [...]

Martha Collins is the Stage Director for the performance of Georges Bizet’s Carmen for the Sarasota Opera House opening on February 11, 2012. They have chosen to do the original, more traditional version of this beloved and controversial opera and appear to be relishing the challenge. I sat down with Martha Collins to learn more about her life off-stage.   Dining Diva: Where are you from? Martha Collins: Aylmer, Quebec which is a suburb of Ottawa.   DD: What is your favorite food from home? MC: I loved my mother’s [...]