FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2014
Photos available upon request
CONTACT: Richard Clark
Director of Marketing and Communications
414-291-5700 ext. 213
rclark@florentineopera.org
At the conclusion of the 80th Anniversary Season, the Florentine continues to flourish with a balanced budget, while making new strides in audience development and community engagement.
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin—September 17, 2014— The Florentine Opera Company’s Board President Mark Cameli concluded his second year by announcing at the annual meeting on September 17 that the Florentine remains strong at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 fiscal year, ending the season in the black for he second consecutive year.
“I am pleased to report that the Florentine Opera again achieved national accolades with the building of a unique artist residence (adjacent to our administrative and production campus in Riverwest) of its kind. We continued taking decisive steps toward the long-term success of the company with strategic cost containment, and diverse programming.” Cameli said.
Florentine General Director William Florescu reaffirmed the company’s commitment to producing works from the full spectrum: “This season we produced three dramatic masterpieces: Giuseppe Verdi’s beloved LA TRAVIATA, George Frideric Handel’s Baroque classic – a new production of JULIUS CAESAR, and Giacomo Puccini’s tragic romance LA BOHÈME. Our season was expanded and enhanced with a weekend of FESTA FIORENTINA, a concert presented by our Florentine Opera Studio Artists, marking the sixth season of this artist program and the 4th year of their concert performances. The launch of our second stage series @ THE CENTER with performances at the Wayne & Kristine Lueders Opera Center (our production center) including the creation of SISTER CARRIE, a new work in cooperation with University of Minnesota and the Grammy Award-winning creative team of Robert Aldridge and Herschel Garfein were all great successes.” he stated, “Audience development remains a primary goal, and this season we saw an increase in attendance at both Mainstage and Community Engagement events throughout the region – we have surpassed our budgeted subscription ticket goal for 2013-2014. This is the kind of participation that we hope to continue to build in the future.” This expansion included the development of a community support group THE BOHÈME SOCIETY whose leadership hosted community engagement events for young professionals creating accessibility for new opera audiences. This was made possible through the support of Opera America and the Getty Foundation. Through the support of the Cream City Foundation, a group of community leaders mounted their campaign for Florentine’s existing CAMERATA (LGBT affinity group) raising community support for the 80th Anniversary Season while attracting a stronger LGBTQ audience.
During the meeting, board president Mark Cameli announced Life Director status for board member Mrs. Nancy Anderson while thanking departing members Karen Plunkett Muenster, and Chris Kujawa for their service to the Florentine. Education and Community Engagement Director Cathy Costantini presented an Igniter Award to the leadership of the Herzfeld Foundation for their continued support of our education & community engagement and expansion of new support from individual donors. Mr. Florescu said, “We are proud to honor Nancy Anderson and her husband Terry for their support and accomplishments. We are thrilled that Nancy will continue as a Life Director with the Florentine.” All of the speakers thanked the United Performing Arts Fund, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and corporate, foundation and individual donors for their contributions to the organization’s financial success.
A movie trailer of The Florentine Opera’s 2014-2015 Mainstage season, announced earlier this year, was presented (see attached): Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman (October 24 & 26, 2014), Carlisle Floyd’s American Classic WUTHERING HEIGHTS (January 9 & 11, 2015), Aldridge’s ELMER GANTRY (March 13 & 15, 2015), and Gaetano Donizetti’s THE ELIXIR OF LOVE (May 8 & 10, 2015). The Florentine Opera Studio Artists will perform a concert revue FROM VIENNA TO THE GREAT WHITE WAY February 13-15, 2015, featuring a Valentine-themed selection of favorite love songs. The organization will also present its season education and community engagement offerings, including a new production, 10-week children’s touring opera, John Davies’ GOLDIE B. LOCKS AND THE THREE SINGING BEARS.
WHAT: The Florentine Opera 2013-2014 Annual Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, September 17, 2014 @ 4:30 pm
WHERE: Wayne & Kristine Lueders Florentine Opera Center
926 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
WITH PERFORMANCES BY:
Julie Tabash
Lindsay Metzger
Aaron Short
Pablo Siqueiros
INFORMATION / INTERVIEWS
For additional biographies or to schedule an interview, please contact Richard Clark, Director of Marketing and Communications, by telephone at 414/291.5700 ext 213, or email at rclark@florentineopera.org.
ABOUT THE FLORENTINE OPERA COMPANY
The Florentine Opera Company’s productions reflect the highest musical and theatrical standards, while supporting community and educational programs. As a leader in Wisconsin’s art community and the nation’s sixth-oldest opera company, the Florentine Opera seeks to establish a significant presence in the cultural, educational and civic life of the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Audiences enjoy beautiful main stage productions as well as dozens of free and community based performances that include first-rate vocal artistry brought to life by established and emerging international, national and local opera stars. With a foundation of fiscal responsibility, the company continues to grow its artistic and educational programs. Through its outreach and in-school educational programming, the Florentine provides vital arts education experiences for children, nurtures new audiences, and expands cultural horizons for the next generation. The Florentine Opera is a cornerstone member organization of the United Performing Arts Fund and receives funds from Milwaukee County and the State of Wisconsin (with support from the National Endowment for the Arts), as well as corporations, foundations and individuals. The Florentine Opera Company is an organizational member of OPERA America.
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