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Orlando Opera
Professional opera company based in Orlando, Florida, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Orlando Opera was a professional American regional opera company located in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1958, the company ceased operations in 2009 because of financial problems.[1] The opera performed multiple times a year in the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and other venues in the central Florida region. For many years, until its own demise, the Florida Symphony Orchestra was the orchestra for the Orlando Opera.[2][3][4] The company ceased operations in 2009 because of financial problems.
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History
Orlando Opera's origins can be traced to opera gala benefit concerts sponsored by the Florida Symphony Orchestra. On February 13, 1958, the Florida Symphony Orchestra and the Junior League of Orlando produced the first "Gala Night of Opera" concert. Florida Symphony Orchestra's then Music Director, Frank Miller was quoted "We are in the midst of the biggest season culturally in Central Florida, if not in Florida history."[5] Eventually, the Junior League was replaced by an Opera Gala Guild formed with the support of the Florida Symphony Orchestra.[5] During the company's early seasons, only concert arias were produced and then gradually staged opera scenes were performed. In 1979, Orlando Opera began presenting its own full opera productions.[6] The company typically presented three full opera productions per season.[7][8]
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End of operations
The 51-year-old Orlando Opera did not survive the combined effects of the 2008-2009 Great Recession and its own longstanding financial problems related to significant budget deficits.[1][5] On April 16, 2009, the company announced it would suspend all operations and close its doors due to poor economic conditions.[9] The Orlando Opera's board of trustees voted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 24, 2009. The company had one remaining liability, $200,000 received from subscribers for the canceled upcoming 2009-2010 season.[10]
General Directors
- Richard R. Owens
- Robert Swedberg[5]
Conductors
- Frank Miller[5]
- Pavle Despalj[11]
- Alfred Savia, Music Director 1980-1983[12]
- Cornelius Eberhardt[2]
- William Huckaby[4]
- Anton Coppola
- Karen Keltner[13]
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References
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