Dear Opera Lover,

I am happy to announce Opera to Go’s (OTG) 14th season! Your generous contributions have kept opera alive in Juneau, and we're excited to tell you about some of the events you've helped support, ones to mark on your calendar, and how you can keep opera going in Juneau.

Summer 2009 – Anchorage soprano Christine Renée Keene and Juneau’s own Jay Query

This season we got off to an early start with a recital given by Anchorage-based soprano Christine Renée Keene who will also be featured in JLO’s April production of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. OTG takes this opera to Sitka for the final performances to be held in the beautiful, brand new Sitka Community Arts Center on April 30th and May 1st. We are very excited to give a production in this new facility.

Winter 2009 – World Premiere here in Juneau!

Opera To Go is especially thrilled to present the world premiere of two one-act operas by Michel Chordas (1923-2009), The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf, based on the short stories by O. Henry. These stories have been American favorites for over 100 years now, and have been lovingly set to music by Latvian immigrant Chordas and his librettist wife, Nina S. Chordas. The Gift of the Magi is based on one of O. Henry’s most beloved short stories, in which a young husband and wife sacrifice their most precious possessions to give each other the perfect Christmas gift. The Last Leaf, less well known but developed in true economical O. Henry style, tells the story of a gravely ill young woman who has lost hope of recovery, and the artist living downstairs who paints his masterpiece just for her. Join the OTG ensemble of singers, the Amalga Chamber Orchestra, Conductor William Todd Hunt, Director Roald Simonson and Scenic Designer Akiko Nishijima at the new Thunder Mountain High School Auditorium as they bring to life these never before seen modern and beautiful operas.

Spring 2010 – Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!

In April we will bring Mozart's towering masterpiece, Le nozze di Figaro to audiences in Sitka! This cooperation with Juneau Lyric Opera will helps bring SE Alaska closer together artistically - a trend that we are commited to continue throughout the years to come.

Opera to Go brings opera to Juneau and Southeast Alaska through your generous donations and the work of talented community volunteers. Although this will be our second season in the midst of the current financial recession, we are proud to say that we ended last season in the black. To achieve this goal again, and continue to serve the opera-loving population of Juneau and Southeast Alaska, we need your support. As you may already know, practically all performing arts organizations in the US make less than one quarter of their income on ticket sales. OTG relies on donations to bridge the gap. Without this support, we could not do what we do and serve as much of the population as we can. All donations are important, no matter the size, and tax-deductible as well! If everyone on our list gave $20, we would easily reach our fund raising goal. We know times are hard and we are all trying to make our dollars stretch further, but now more than ever, OTG needs your support.

Thank you for your support,

William Todd Hunt
Artistic Director, Opera to Go

P.S. Your legacy to Juneau’s community is helping to provide rich experiences to a small community. Your donation to Opera to Go can make that happen for young and old.