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Sarasota News Leader May 17, 2013 • Little Sweep by Benjamin Britten will be presented Nov. 9-10 by the Sarasota Youth Opera. In this story, "A group of children, with the help of a kind nursery maid, work to free a young chimney sweep apprentice from his cruel master," the release continues. The adult roles will be performed by members of the Sarasota Opera Apprentice Program, the release notes. Page 94 — which was followed by his performances of Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera — will sing the role of Figaro. Bass Young Bok Kim, who was heard last season as both Sparafucile in Rigoletto and Timur in Turandot, will reprise his role of Basilio. • The Flying Dutchman by Richard Wagner will open on March 1, 2014. It "tells the tale of a cursed sea captain forced to wander the world, ultimately finding redemption in the selfless gift of a woman's love. The unbridled weight and force of Wagner's work will enthrall audiences as they voyage through this mystical world," the release says. • Il trovatore by Giuseppe Verdi will open the Winter Opera Festival on Feb. 8, 2014. Not seen in Sarasota since 1993, "Il trovatore tells the story of a troubadour's quest for love, a soldier's lust and a daughter's undying thirst for vengeance," the release notes. It features Three members of last season's critically operatic favorites such as the Anvil Chorus acclaimed production of Carlisle Floyd's Of and Di quella pira. Mice and Men will return for this opera: tenor Two rising stars of the opera world will make Michael Hendrick, who performed the role of their Sarasota Opera debut in this production: Lennie, has been cast as the huntsman Erik; Baritone David Pershall, who joined the roster tenor Jon Jurgens, who sang the role of Curof the Metropolitan Opera this past season, ley, will be the Steersman; and maestro David will portray Count di Luna, the jealous com- Neely, a specialist of the German repertoire, mander of the Aragon troops. Mezzo-soprano will conduct the opera, the release continues. Margaret Mezzacappa, who was the Grand Prize winner at the 2012 Metropolitan Opera National Council Audition, will sing the role of the vengeful Azucena, the release points out. • Jérusalem by Giuseppe Verdi will open on March 8, 2014. It is "an epic tale of warriors, family rivalry and jealousy that evolves into a story of forgiveness. Based on [Verdi's] earlier opera, I Lombardi alla prima crociata … [it] • The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini abounds with rousing choruses, beautiful enwill open on Feb. 15. "Determined to win the sembles and exciting arias," the release notes. heart of the beautiful Rosina with charm and wit, rather than money, Count Almaviva en- This new production of Jérusalem will mark lists the help of Figaro, the barber of Seville, the 30th operatic installment of the Verdi Cycle to steal her away from her guardian, Dr. Bar- at Sarasota Opera. tolo," the release continues. The four winter productions will run in rotaBaritone Marco Nisticò, who sang the title tion from Feb. 8 through March 23, 2014, the role in last season's production of Rigoletto release points out.