
I Was Part of the Verdi Cycle
Tamara Acosta
This may sound dramatic, but I consider the Verdi Cycle and Sarasota Opera largely responsible for who I am today!
The journey for me began in 1993 with Il trovatore. I was a wide-eyed, lyric mezzo apprentice artist singing in the chorus (still a little bitter that the maestro over-looked me for Inez…) and it culminated with the most significant musical experience of my career, as the soprano soloist in the Requiem that commemorated the 100th anniversary of Verdi’s death in 2001. In between were many performances of Nabucco (1995)—with more versions of Fenena’s aria than any one soprano should ever have to sing— La forza del destino (1996), and Ernani (1997).
Because of the vision of my favorite maestro and Sarasota Opera, I was able to develop and hone my skills as a musician and artist. That being said, I truly believe the most incredible thing about being a part of the Verdi Cycle is the people I met along the way. Many of the closest friendships in my life today began at Sarasota Opera with our beloved Verdi! Thank you and congratulations on a job very well done!