| company developments |
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Over the years, Opera Columbus has worked toward two essential goals: to establish the company's artistic reputation on a national level and to affirm that Opera Columbus is deeply rooted in the life of its own community. Projected English translations were introduced during the 1984-85 season which allowed audiences to participate in the productions even more. The following season, Opera Columbus presented the world premiere of Pasatieri's Three Sisters, an adaptation of the classic Chekhov play, which was later released as a recording. When Opera Columbus became a $1 million company during the 1986-87 season, a third performance was added to sold-out runs of Porgy and Bess and Madama Butterfly. The company also added 1,200 new subscribers that year.
The next two seasons featured sold-out performances of Die Fledermaus and Tristan und Isolde, the latter marking Opera Columbus's first venture into Wagner's mythical world. In 1987, Opera Columbus was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge Grant. After receiving this grant, Friday evening performances were added for each opera. During recent seasons, the company has experienced numerous sold-out performances and dramatic increases in subscription sales. The year 1996 brought especially good news to the company as Opera Columbus was named the first Central Ohio arts organization to receive a grant from the National Arts Stabilization Fund. This grant enabled the company to build a strong cash reserve, aiding the fulfillment of the company's long-term plans.
In early 2001, Opera Columbus and Columbus Light Opera merged into one company under the Opera Columbus name. Through the merger, Opera Columbus maintained its traditional Fall-Winter Season, while at the same time adding a music theatre repertoire of productions during a Summer Season. The quality and integrity represented by each of the formerly individual companies' past productions continues, while at the same time new opportunities and exposure to new audiences have been created.
Opera Columbus has worked hard developing its EDUCATION & OUTREACH program. The program has grown to perform more than 500 educational events each year, annually reaching more than 200,000 students throughout Central Ohio. With programs created to reach children, adolescents, and adults, EDUCATION & OUTREACH has become a year-round affair. The program visits schools, churches, synagogues, community centers, libraries and festivals throughout Ohio. Additionally, it hosts the only summer opera camp in Ohio, an innovative afterschool program, a nationally-recognized vocal competition, and presents a mainstage family opera each spring. In 1998 the EDUCATION & OUTREACH program was honored for its work with an OPERA America Campaign for Success Award. The Columbus Chamber of Commerce also recognized it in 1997 for its more than 10 years of contributions to the Adopt-a-School program.
One effort of the education and outreach initiative was the commission of the new American opera, Vanqui, which Opera Columbus premiered in October 1999. Vanqui is a powerful opera celebrating the emancipation of African-Americans from the chains of slavery. Composed by Philadelphia-based Leslie Burrs with a libretto by acclaimed author John A. Williams, Vanqui proved a success during previews at a Harvard-hosted conference in Paris, the Lancaster (Ohio) Music Festival, and the 1997 OPERA America conference in Philadelphia. The Vanqui project was recognized by OPERA America with a Campaign for Success Award in spring 1997.
After a quarter century of producing live music theatre, Opera Columbus has achieved many accomplishments thanks to the tremendous efforts of its board of trustees, staff, and volunteers. The commitment to opera demonstrated by these individuals has helped the company enter the new millennium with strategic direction and an outstanding artistic plan. |
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