Sarasota Youth Opera presents the world premiere of "Little Nemo in Slumberland," a new work with music by Daron Hagen and words by J.D. McClatchy, commissioned by the Sarasota Opera Association.

The performances Saturday and Sunday mark the Sarasota Youth Opera and Sarasota Opera Association's fifth commission since the program's inception in 1984.

Based on Winsor McCay's classic comic strip, "Little Nemo in Slumberland" is a 60-minute, two-act "magic opera."

The story follows the adventures of a boy over the course of two nights on a quest to save Slumberland from the evil Emperor Sol, who wants it to be bright all night and all day.

Nemo's adventures along the way include encounters with a crystal enchantress, menacing giants, a floating bed and a balloon ride with dizzying changes of scale and a palace that turns upside down.

The child principal roles will be performed by members of the Sarasota Youth Opera program and the adult principal roles will be performed by members of the Sarasota Opera Apprentice and Studio Artists Program.

In addition, singers and performers from Booker High School, Out of Door Academy and Sailor Circus will round out the cast making for a total of 107 Sarasota youths on the stage of the Sarasota Opera House.

Details: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 11, Sarasota Opera House, 61 N. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. Tickets: $15-$30. Information: 941-366-8450 or www.sarasotaopera.org.

Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at 941-745-7057. Follow Twitter.com/wtatangelo.