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PATRA - Opera Comique in Two Acts

The last days of Cleopatra are filled with daring, intrigue, and love possibilities. When the villainous Octavian lands in Egypt to assert his victory over Antony and Cleopatra, Patra will do most anything to save her children and herself. She disguises herself as a hag; foretells Octavian’s future; takes a drug to commune with the dead; seduces Centurion Marcellus whom her drugged mind thinks is Antony; meets with Octavian; and initiates an encounter with a cobra. When Octavian tries to take advantage of her, she sings of love. Octavian exits without a word. He has fallen in love but tragically does nothing. The love-struck Marcellus offers her a way to escape. Yes, she dies but not how you think.  Her death changes Octavian from lead to gold as he vows to become the man she would have loved the most.

Original Opera Octavian and Cleopatra

Octavian & Cleopatra is a romantic opera about of love and rebirth loosely based on the last few days of Cleopatra’s life.  Roman General Octavian has conquered Egypt. He hates Cleopatra and has sworn to bring her back to Rome as his slave.  Cleopatra is desperate to live and secure a future for herself and her children.  What happens between them in these few days changes the course of his life.

Elizabeth Of Russia – A New Operetta

Elizabeth of Russia is a grand musical about the rebellious daughter of Czar Peter the Great. Leeza, as she is known by her close friends, has been happily leading a quiet life with her peasant lover Alexei. But she gets caught up in a web of intrigue that forces her to make a decision she has been avoiding. Will she take back the throne that is rightfully hers or will she be put in prison or a nunnery? Based on an amazing historical event, Elizabeth leads a stunning nonviolent overthrow of the ruling regime to save herself, her peasant lover, and her people.

A Date With Debussy

Have a date with Debussy featuring favorite samples of Debussy's work performed by David Ohrenstein. This collection is regularly heard at the Gasparilla Inn; and, at private parties by request.  Contact David to book a Date with Debussy and other fine dining music today. 

SaraSolo Festival to feature Sharon Ohrenstein as Golda Meir in our new musical, Golden Roads

Sharon Ohrenstein

Singer, Lyricist, Arranger

Sharon Ohrenstein is not only an amazing play writer, but also arranger and director.

rebuilt Steinway at the Gasparilla Inn

David Ohrenstein

Pianist, Composer, Instructor

David Ohrenstein has a masters degree in music and is one of the busiest pianists in the area.

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Featuring all original ballroom dance numbers.

  1. You Gotta Love
  2. Dancing Near You
  3. The Snows of Winter
  4. The Mango Tango
  5. The Neon Twirl
  6. The Highlander Jig
  7. Joining Hands for Life
  8. Laughing Eyes
  9. Waltzing with Kathryn
  10. Dark and Dangerous
  11. Sippin' Monkey La Las
  12. Breezin' Along
  13. Bubbling Baroque
  14. Bolero Brillante
  15. The Masks of Drama

Videos and Media

  • David Ohrenstein at the Piano

    • David Ohrenstein at the Piano

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  • Boogie Man of the Opera

    • Boogie Man of the Opera

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  • King David's Dance

    • King David's Dance

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  • Elemental Suite - Air

    • Elemental Suite - Air

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  • Elemental Suite - Earth

    • Elemental Suite - Earth

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  • Elemental Suite - Water

    • Elemental Suite - Water

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  • Napoleaon & Marie Waltz by composer/pianist David Ohrenstein

    • Napoleaon & Marie Waltz by composer/pianist David Ohrenstein

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  • Lost Concert

    • Lost Concert

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  • Moonlight on the Lake by composer/pianist David Ohrenstein

    • Moonlight on the Lake by composer/pianist David Ohrenstein

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  • Sharon Ohrenstein sings

    • Sharon Ohrenstein sings

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  • Iguana Farm

    • Iguana Farm

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  • We Are One by Lesley and Ohrenstein

    • We Are One by Lesley and Ohrenstein

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  • Fork in the Road

    • Fork in the Road

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  • Sarasota Keys

    • Sarasota Keys

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  • Elemental Suite - Fire

    • Elemental Suite - Fire

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  • Glory and Honor

    • Glory and Honor

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  • Paris Piano Connection

    • Paris Piano Connection

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  • Elemental Suite - Ether

    • Elemental Suite - Ether

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  • Elizabeth of Russia - Dance of the Cossacks

    • Elizabeth of Russia - Dance of the Cossacks

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  • Glory and Honor

    • Glory and Honor

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  • Vi Geyts

    • Vi Geyts

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  • Aura Lee Variations

    • Aura Lee Variations

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  • El Nino

    • El Nino

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  • Oquaga Spirit Speaks

    • Oquaga Spirit Speaks

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Upcoming Events

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Oquaga Spirit Speaks About Her Indian Tribe Where the Women Ruled

 The Oquaga Spirit Speaks About Her North American Indian Tribe Where Women Ruled. They were  part of the Algonquin Indian nation. Could this spirit speak!  My poem on the Oquaga Spirit  states the situation: What a communicator was she This sprite both blithe and free. So much she needed...

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A Date With Debussy: As I Record His Music at Glenridge Performing Arts Center

    A Date With Debussy: As I Record His  Music at Glenridge Performing Arts Center- My family put together an incredible birthday present for me. Abe, my oldest son, wanted me to play and record one hour of the piano music of Claude Debussy. That got the ball...

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Brookdale colonial park performance

Maximum Stretch for the Piano

Maximum stretch for the piano is essential. There seems to be very few ideally sized hands. Short fingers make wide stretches on the piano difficult. Playing closely with stubby fingers is difficult. Wide palms slow down tucking the thumb under for scales or arpeggios.  My instructions through piano lessons...

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Piano Lessons

Mischa Kottler- A Visit By the Legendary Piano Instructor

A VISIT FROM THE LEGENDARY MISCHA  KOTTLER Mischa Kottler – A visit by the legendary piano instructor. Here’s how it all started: The phone rings.  I pick it up and hear, “David, this is your piano teacher, Mischa.” I was incredulous .  Having left Detroit, Michigan 10 years earlier, I remembered...

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Unique Finger Exercises for Pianists

Numerous pianist-composers have written their own finger exercises. At times these exercises were performed away from the piano and were termed “finger gymnastics.” E. Piccirilli mentions in his book, Gymnastics and Massage of the Hand, published in 1914 in Rome how the conductor of La Scala, Tonassi,  had seen...

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Piano Lessons in Sarasota Florida

PIANO LESSONS IN SARASOTA FL Taking piano lessons is an activity for all ages.  Don’t let that phrase, “I always wanted to play the piano,” go unheeded.  I have taught students from the age of four to well into their seventies.  My oldest student was 83 and she decided...

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Entertaining Eleanor Roosevelt at Carnegie Hall

Entertaining Eleanor Roosevelt at Carnegie Hall has quite a happy and unusual twist for Rubinoff. Why am I writing this? I was Rubinoff’s arranger and accompanist for some 15 years. Dave’s life’s story is largely untold and it simply was incredibly exciting. When we went on our lunch breaks,...

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Start Over Again

Start Over Again Rubinoff Discusses the Great Depression

Start Over Again Rubinoff Discusses the Great Depression. Monopoly can be an allegory for life. Every time you pass “Go”, you start over again. The thing is to just keep on going! Yes, the roll of a dice can bring hardship and calamity. You can loose a ton of...

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Entertainer Friendships Can Make Careers Skyrocket

Entertainer Friendships Can Make Careers Skyrocket. Rudy Vallee (July 28, 1901 – July 3, 1986) was a popular American singer, actor, bandleader, and entertainer. Born Hubert Prior Vallée in Island Pond, Vermont, he grew up in Westbrook, Maine. In high school he took up the saxophone and acquired the...

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Personified Seasons by an Indian Spirit

Personified Seasons by an Indian Spirit. Ah, the Catskill Mountains. So many poets and artists got their start there. Most recently several episodes of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel were filmed at a Catskill resort where I worked.  My extended employment was over 15 Summer seasons. The resort, Scott’s Oquaga...

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Imitation Stifles Music and Hinders Originality

Imitation Stifles Music and Hinders Originality. A young French pianist came to ask a question of famed pianist and conductor Phillipe Entremont.  The purpose was to ask questions about her ideas for pianistic interpretation. Entremont had already won a prize in the 1952 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition[1.   Among...

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Two Greatest Pianists Differed in Style

Two Greatest Pianists Differed in Style. How different can pianists be and still be on a par? This question is inspired inspired a quote from a quote: Henry Pleasants. a music critic from Philadelphia once asked Rachmaninoff: Who are the greatest of the living pianists. Harold Schonberg, music critic...

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Music Offers Strength in Rubinoff’s Older Age

Music Offers Strength in Rubinoff’s Older Age. Scott’s Oquaga Lake House was founded in 1869. This was about thirty years before Dave Rubinoff, the master violinist,  was born, in 1897. How did Rubinoff come to play here? I, David Ohrenstein, was the House piano player here for some 15...

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Rubinoff Friendship with Will Rogers and His Special Poem

Rubinoff friendship with Will Rogers and Will’s Special Poem can help all of us: Perhaps the words engraved on a pocket watch given to my mentor Rubinoff and His Violin by Will Rogers in 1932 is most appropriate to quote for all of us at this time. Rubinoff admired...

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Unlikely Friendship Between Rubinoff and Rudy Vallee

Unlikely Friendship Between Rubinoff and Rudy Vallee.  Vallee set show business ablaze. Hubert Prior “Rudy” Vallée (July 28, 1901 – July 3, 1986) was an American singer, actor, and radio host. Teens loved him. After playing drums in his high school band.  Vallée played clarinet and saxophone as a teenager....

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Continuous Musical Practice by Rubinoff and His Violin

Continuous Musical Practice by Rubinoff and His Violin. Yes, Dave played and conducted at the Paramount Theater and for Paramount pictures. His fame covered the country from New York to Hollywood. Rubinoff was a guest conductor of the Chicago Philharmonic. Dave featured his artistry weekly on the Ed Cantor...

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