Press Releases
Contact:
Colleen Flanigan
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
312-704-8420 ext. 25
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org
CHICAGO OPERA THEATER’S 2008 GALA
RAISES OVER $260,000
FOR THEIR 2008 SPRING SEASON
CHICAGO, IL (March 11, 2008)-Chicago Opera Theater (COT) raised more than $260,000 at their annual Gala held on March 8, 2008 at the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, this year entitled “Opera Less Ordinary.” Guests enjoyed an evening of cocktails, dinner, raffle, silent auction, live auction and a stunning performance from mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó. The evening was a dazzling success and the guests left in eager anticipation of COT’s forthcoming 2008 Spring Season, which opens April 30th.
NBC5’s Art Norman kicked off a special presentation honoring COT Board Trustee Gladys L. Wolff. Ms. Wolff was honored as the longest serving board member for her 30 years of service on the COT Board. Lastly, she was presented with an engraved plaque from Tiffany & Co. to commemorate her unwavering commitment to COT.
“The Gala allowed us to gather not only in support of the important art of opera but this year we had the privilege to celebrate Gladys L. Wolff. She has been a firm believer in COT for years and her service certainly merits such a grand event.” said Brian Dickie, General Director of COT. “Also having Art Norman host the evening added more enthusiasm to the auctions, raffles and enticing dinner. It was all in all an absolute treat!”
This year’s the approximately 285 guests participated in two raffles as well as both the silent and live auctions. Auctioneer Michael Davis, from Hart Davis Hart Wine Company, helped to raise over $71,000. The funds raised will help support COT’s upcoming 2008 Spring Season at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
In addition to the live auction prizes guests also pledged donations for the continued support of COT’s Education Outreach Program: Opera For All. This fundraising auction was an increase of 35% over last year! COT prides itself on partnering with Chicago Public Schools to bring young artists to inner-city school children to provide a 25-week program through the school year that integrates opera into the students’ curriculum.
Mezzo-soprano Krisztina Szabó, Donna Elvira in the COT’s new production of Don Giovanni this Spring, gave a ravishing performance. Ms. Szabó was a last minute addition to the program, flying in merely hours before the Gala to perform for the guests. She was joined by Matt Hanscom, a member of COT’s Young Artist Program, for a duet from Don Giovanni. The evening’s entertainment ended with performances from Lucas Harbour, Fred Joseph, Kari Sorenson and Amanda Tarver, all members of COT’s Young Artists Program.
ABOUT CHICAGO OPERA THEATER
Founded in 1974, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago and has reached an audience of hundreds of thousands through its main stage performances, outreach, education and young artist programs.
Since Brian Dickie’s appointment as General Director in 1999, COT has evolved as an opera company that is young, fresh, and colorful - an image well suited to its surroundings at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park.
The 2008 Spring Gala was presented in anticipation and support of Chicago Opera Theater’s 2008 Spring Season. The season opens with Mozart’s Don Giovanni (April 30-May 11) setting the classic story in a contemporary VIP nightclub, followed by the Midwest Premiere of John Adams’ A Flowering Tree (May 14-25) with John Adams conducting the first two performances, and closes with Handel’s Orlando (May 28-June 8) a Baroque opera with the drama unfolding in the style of 1940’s film noir.
For more information on the 2008 Spring Season, visit ChicagoOperaTheater.org or call 312.704.8414.
