1. Cities & Towns
About.com
Orlando

Discuss in my forum

Orlando Opera

Fast Facts

By , About.com Guide

See More About:
  • The Orlando Opera Company celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2007-2008. Plans for the 50th Anniversary season include productions of Don Giovanni, Die Fledermaus, and Turandot the latter of which will have the largest performance force ever used by the company. There will be a series of events around the November production of Don Giovanni to celebrate the anniversary including galas, a discussion panel, and Concert of Arias featuring many young American singers and a 50 member chorus. The company will commemorate the anniversary with a commissioned photomosaic image by renowned artist Rob Silvers who created similar images for the covers of Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, and Life magazines.
  • The second stage show of the 2007-2008 season, Little Women, will be held in Central Florida’s theatre for youth and family audiences—the Orlando Repertory Theatre. This production features the talents of the Lockheed Martin Orlando Opera Studio Artists.
  • In the 2006-2007 season, Orlando Opera Company reached over 125,000 people through its mainstage productions, education/outreach, and touring programs.
  • Orlando Opera Company drew audiences from four countries, 31 states, and 33 Florida counties during the 2006-2007 season. The company was awarded a tourism development tax grant from Orange County to aid in attracting out-of-area visitors to the 2007 production of Madama Butterfly. Upon completion, the box office reported that 21% of the attendees to Madama Butterfly were visitors from outside the Florida counties of Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole.
  • As a labor intensive institution, Orlando Opera Company invests over 75% of its operating budget back into the Central Florida community through employment and the purchase of goods and services.
  • Orlando Opera Company has a permanently restricted Endowment totaling over $1.2 million.
  • Orlando Opera Company’s education programs were recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a $45,000 award in support of expanding the Opera on Tour! program. Orlando Opera Company was also invited to participate in the NEA’s innovative initiative, the Great American Voices Project.
  • The State of Florida Department of Cultural Affairs has awarded over $102,000 in grants to Orlando Opera Company in support of the 2006-2007 season.
  • Orlando Opera Company identifies, trains, and supports future operatic talent through its rigorous Orlando Opera Studio program. Four singers spend one to two years with the company, receiving extensive training and tremendous performing opportunities. The program also supports a number of talented local and regional artists.
  • Orlando Opera Company is now in its 15th year of collaboration with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, which accompanies all of its mainstage productions. Orlando Opera Company is the largest annual purchaser of the Philharmonic’s services. Orlando Opera Company has also worked in collaboration with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Orlando Ballet to produce the Young People’s Concert series for 15 years.

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.