TAMPA, Fla – For the first time in 20 years, two of Tampa’s most beloved performance groups, Opera Tampa and The Florida Orchestra, will team up once again.

Starting next year, the Florida Orchestra will be in the pit, providing the music for all of Opera Tampa’s big shows at the Straz.

The last time the two organizations worked together was in 2002.

“People really want to come together for the arts. I’ve never seen anything like it, ”said Judy Lisi, General Manager of Opera Tampa.

“Doing this now, when people have this pent-up demand to go back to a theater, it couldn’t be better, and that’s why this partnership is so exciting for us,” said Mark Cantrell, president and chief executive officer. conductor of The Florida Orchestra.

Cantrell and Lisi say that while some see returning to the stage as a challenge, they see it as an opportunity.

“We had a reboot on the arts; the time is right, we have the opportunity to create the center of the arts and culture of the world, ”Cantrell said.

Both organizations say their season tickets for the 2022 season have already exceeded all expectations.

“I just think it makes so much sense to finally put everything back together,” Lisi said.

In true show business fashion, they are thrilled to give their audience something special after such a long hiatus.

“I was getting these calls, ‘how are you, what can we do, are you gonna be ok, we can’t wait for you to open,” said Lisi.

They say it’s extremely important to bring their two fan bases together; it’s a big part of their future.

For more information on all upcoming shows and tickets, visit strazcenter.org .