Dear Opera Lover,

As we begin the 15th season of OTG, I feel amazed and lucky to be working with such a dynamic and exciting company! We have done many innovative and fulfilling things in the past, and this season is no different. This year one of the biggest changes for our company will be to add an Executive Director. The increasing complexity of our future seasons demands that the company be run more efficiently. The new ED will also work to coordinate our wonderful volunteers, donors, and all the important day to day administrative tasks. The OTG Board has determined that adding a second paid position is the way to make our company financially stronger and will benefit the work we do to support our mission.

This year our season includes a number of exciting events for the community. The crown jewel of the season will be a full production of Dvorak’s Rusalka, whose beautifully evocative score and fairy tale setting is mostly known to opera buffs for the hauntingly gorgeous Song to the Moon; just one of the many wonderful pieces in this compelling story. Based on the same myth as H. C. Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, Rusalka is sure to amaze audiences of all ages. Even though the opera was written in Czech, we will be performing it in English, with English supertitles. As a bonus for singers in Juneau this season, our guest artist for Rusalka, Mezzo Soprano Nancy Caudill, will be teaching a masterclass for opera singers at the end of February. Check the website for more details as they become available. The class will be open to the public and approximately 10 singers will be the subject of Nancy’s deft intuition at making them sound their best!

In January, we will be presenting a recital given by local baritone Philippe Damerval who will be premiering the song cycle Before the Sunset by Michel Chordas, a composer with Juneau ties.  Chordas’ two one-act operas, The Gift of the Magi and The Last Leaf were premiered by OTG two seasons ago. Philippe will be joined by other local singers to round off the evening. There is a possible tour to Haines, Sitka, or both in the works as well!

The resident instrumental ensemble of OTG, the Amalga Chamber Orchestra, will present a concert of orchestral, choral, and vocal music in May. William Todd Hunt conducts with various soloists, including hornist David Cooper of the Dallas Symphony.

And finally, we are aiming to workshop the children’s opera commission from Rory Merritt Stitt over the summer. This has been an exciting process, and it is still just in the beginning stages! We heard the first bit of music from it last season at our ACO concert, and the response has been extraordinary!
 
All of these wonderful activities require funding, of course, and I would like to invite you to continue your past support, or become a new supporter of Opera to Go. As you may already know, practically all performing arts organizations in the US make less than ¼ 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. If everyone on our list gave $25, we would easily reach our fund raising goal. We are all watching our spending very closely these days, but now more than ever, OTG needs your support to bring you the innovative opera you love.  Your gifts are tax-deductible as well! We also hope to see you at all of our productions this season.

Sincerely,

William Todd Hunt
Artistic Director