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In the Season 2 premiere of Behind the Blue Curtain, host Hallie Geyh sits down with Sarasota Opera's General and Artistic Director, Richard Russell, for a conversation about leadership, legacy, and the season ahead.

A member of the Sarasota Opera family since 1989, Russell reflects on his journey from apprentice artist to company leader and shares his vision for the future of the company. Together, Hallie and Richard explore the 2026–27 season, the balance between honoring tradition and embracing variety, and the unique power of opera to tell deeply human stories.

From Hänsel and Gretel and Rootabaga Country to La traviata, H.M.S. Pinafore, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Jenůfa, this conversation offers an introduction to Sarasota Opera's next chapter and the artists, productions, and experiences that await audiences in the season ahead.

Whether you're a longtime opera lover or attending for the first time, this episode explores what it means to show up, share a live experience, and be part of a community brought together through music and storytelling.