International Arts Festival

The world comes to Sarasota with the second annual Ringling International Arts Festival, Oct. 13-17. What to expect? Music (including a world premiere piece by Philip Glass), theater (another world premiere, this one by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz), dance (including a star turn by Mikhail Baryshnikov himself) and much more. Call 360-7399 or head to ringlingartsfestival.org.

A Cinderella Story

The age-old tale of Cinderella sparkles anew with the Sarasota Opera’s La Cenerentola, Oct. 29 through Nov. 10 at the Opera House. This Rossini comic opera stars Heather Johnson as the Cinderella-like Angelina, Hak Soo Kim as her dashing Prince Ramiro, and Sean Anderson in the scene-stealing role of the prince’s valet, Dandini. Stephanie Sundine directs. 366-8450 ext. 1 or sarasotaopera.org.

Genius at Work

The cliché of tortured genius could have originated with Tchaikovsky, whose suppressed homosexuality and disastrous marriage were chronicled in the film The Music Lovers. Try a less over-the-top version of his struggles with Sarasota Orchestra’s Tchaikovsky: Twist of Fate, presenting the background—and a full performance—of his Fourth Symphony. 4 and 8 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Opera House; 953-3434 or sarasotaorchestra.org.

Shakespeare on Stage

Two friends in love with the same woman, another young woman dressing up as a man, a clown named Launce and a dog named Crab—it must be Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona. The FSU/Asolo Conservatory’s season opener gives Conservatory fans a chance to see the entire second-year class at work. Oct. 26 through Nov. 14 in the Cook Theatre; 351-8000 or asolorep.org.