Opera Colorado Launches $1.2M Fundraising Campaign

Opera Colorado has launched a $1.2 million fundraising campaign to raise funds to ensure its two remaining productions in the 2013 season continue as planned and to assist with the reorganization plan. The Opera's Board has led the charge, pledging to match the first $350,000 that is raised dollar for dollar by the campaign's completion date of March 30^th, 2013. The campaign, called "Stories that Sing: Be a Voice for Opera Colorado," will be comprised of a series of public and private fundraising events over the next two months. Individuals can also contribute at any upcoming Opera Coloradoperformance or via the Opera's website at operacolorado.org/support. A vital part of Denver's cultural ecology, Opera Colorado celebrates its 30^th season this year.

Earlier this month, the Opera announced that the company is embarking on a restructuring plan that will allow the Opera to continue its commitment to bringing exceptional programming and educational resources to Colorado, while stabilizing the company for the future. Opera Colorado will undergo a reorganization of its operating procedures that includes moving to a two-production season for 2013 and 2014.

"The response we have received from the Colorado community has been overwhelmingly positive so far," said General Director Greg Carpenter. "The number one way for people to help us is to donate to our campaign. We are grateful to our board for their matching grant pledge and we hope that their leadership will inspire others to rise to the occasion and give generously. Completing this campaign is essential to ensure that Opera Colorado remains a vital part of our community for many years to come."

The $1.2 million fundraising campaign will allow Opera Colorado to continue operations in 2013, during which time they will reorganize for maximum efficiency, while continuing to provide high quality performances and education resources for Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. The reorganization necessitates postponing the professional premiere of the new American opera The Scarlet Letter by composer Lori Laitman and librettist David Mason until the 2015 season in order to give the Company time to stabilize and raise the funds necessary to stage a full-scale premiere of the work as it has been envisioned.