Frayda B. Lindemann Begins Term as Chairman of OPERA America's Board; 8 New Members Also Elected

OPERA America, the national nonprofit service organization for opera, has announced that Frayda B. Lindemann, Ph.D. became the first opera company trustee in the organization's entire 42-year history to be elected Chairman of its Board of Directors. Dr. Lindemann began her term at OPERA America's recent Annual Business Meeting – held during Opera Conference 2012 in Philadelphia – where eight new members were also elected to the Board.

The eight newly-elected Board members are: Daniel Biaggi (General Director, Palm Beach Opera), James Feldman (Board President, Washington National Opera), William Florescu (General Director, Florentine Opera Company), Christopher Hahn (General Director, Pittsburgh Opera), Barbara Leirvik (opera patron), Susan F. Morris (Board Chairman, The Santa Fe Opera), Esther Nelson (General and Artistic Director, Boston Lyric Opera) and Francesca Zambello (Artistic & General Director, The Glimmerglass Festival).

Dr. Lindemann, a trustee of the Metropolitan Opera, is the first non-general director to serve as Chairman of the OPERA America Board of Directors. She takes over the Chairmanship from Anthony Freud, General Director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, whose term was completed. Mr. Freud was warmly thanked for his service and valuable contributions to the organization and will continue to serve as a Board Member, as outlined in the by-laws.

"I am delighted to work with Frayda in her new role at this exciting moment in OPERA America's history, with the opening of the National Opera Center in September," stated President/CEO Marc A. Scorca. "As a Board Member, Frayda has brought a fresh perspective to the leadership of our organization. Her experience as an opera company trustee informs our broader service to the thousands of Board members who help sustain their companies across the country. I am also very pleased to welcome eight outstanding new members to our Board," continued Scorca. "Each of these individuals, representing the administrative, business, governance and artistic spheres of our industry, brings a different set of valuable skills to OPERA America."

In addition to the election of new Board Members, Gregory Swinehart (Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP) and Darren K. Woods (Fort Worth Opera) were both re-elected to a second three-year term. Mr. Woods was also re-elected as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Artistic Services Committee. Current Board Member David Bennett (Gotham Chamber Opera) was elected Chairman of the Governance Committee and in that capacity, a Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. The following officers of the Board were re-elected to their posts and committee chairmanships: Vice-Chairman and Opera Center Committee Chairman Stephen Trampe (Owen Development, St. Louis), Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman Timothy O'Leary (Opera Theatre of Saint Louis) and Secretary and Membership Committee Chairman James W. Wright (Vancouver Opera).

As of the June meeting, four members of the Board of Directors completed their terms and were thanked for their years of dedicated service to the organization: Peter Gelb (The Metropolitan Opera), David Gockley (San Francisco Opera), Charles Mackay (The Santa Fe Opera) and Steven Sharpe (Opera Santa Barbara).

The OPERA America Board of Directors oversees the organization's portfolio of programs, including professional development activities, educational offerings and grant opportunities such as The Opera Fund. The Board of Directors meets three times per year and the next meeting will take place in November in Dallas, TX.

CURRENT LIST OF OPERA AMERICA BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

David Bennett (Vice-Chairman), Gotham Chamber Opera

Daniel Biaggi, Palm Beach Opera

J.A. (Gus) Blanchard, Minnesota Opera

Gregory Carpenter, Opera Colorado

Keith Cerny, The Dallas Opera

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