When: March 4, Sarasota 10:30 am, Venice 3:30 pm

Artist Information:
Carlisle Floyd is one of the foremost composers and librettists of opera in the United States today. Born in 1926, Floyd earned B.M. and M.M. degrees from Syracuse University. He is co-founder with David Gockley of the Houston Opera Studio jointly created by the University of Houston and Houston Grand Opera.

Floyd’s operas are regularly performed in the US and Europe. His best known works include Susannah (1953–54), Of Mice and Men (1969), Bilby’s Doll (1976), and Willie Stark (1981), both commissioned and produced by the Houston Grand Opera, the latter in association with the Kennedy Center. Floyd's latest opera, Cold Sassy Tree, received its premiere at Houston Grand Opera in April 2000.

Floyd has been the recipient of a number of honors and awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Citation of Merit from the National Association of American Conductors and Composers and the National Opera Institute’s Award for Service to American Opera. In 2004 he was awarded the National Medal of Arts at the White House. Sarasota Opera is about to present the Sarasota premiere of Floyd’s “Of Mice and Men,” a riveting musical staging of the acclaimed Steinbeck novel. His conversations with June LeBell (in Sarasota) and Robert Sherman (in Venice) will include discussions about this opera, appearances by performers from Sarasota Opera, and live and video musical excerpts from this and other operas by the composer. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of the greatest living opera composers about his own music.

Carlisle Floyd replaces mezzo soprano Leah Wool who has had a conflicting engagement but promises to return to SILL in the future.