Act II of the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s production of
Rigoletto. (October 2000) |
The Opera Company of Philadelphia
The Opera Company of Philadelphia was established in
1975 through a merger of the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company and the
Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company. The Opera Company of Philadelphia boasts
a long history of presenting quality productions, with casts that unite
international stars and rising talent, in the historic Academy of Music
A scene from the Opera Company of Philadelphia's 2002 production
of Offenbach’s La Perichole |
Under the dynamic leadership of Producing Artistic Director Robert B.
Driver, the Company is one of the fastest growing opera companies in North
America. During its 21st Anniversary Season (1996-97), the Company cleared
its historic deficit, making it debt-free for the first time in its history.
Since Driver took the helm in 1991, the Company has grown dramatically
-- from 3,200 subscribers and eight performances in the 1990-91 Season
to almost 12,000 subscribers and 35 performances in the 2002-03 Season.
In fact, the Company’s growth has been so significant, that in
1998, Robert Driver approached then board chairman Jack Mulroney upon
his retirement as president and COO of Rohm & Haas, to expand his
commitment to the Opera Company by becoming the Company’s executive
director, charging him with facilitating and managing the Company’s
rapid economic growth.
The Opera Company designs and builds new and innovative productions
at its Production Center, located at the Arsenal Business Center in the
Tacony section of Philadelphia. After the new sets premiere on stage at
The Academy of Music, they are made available for rental to other opera
companies throughout North America.
The Opera Company has also been working to build a future audience. The
Company’s Sounds of Learningª education program
is one of the most successful arts education programs in the country,
having reached over 100,000 students since its inception.
Working on sets in the production center. |
This season marks the first full year of the Opera Company’s presence
as the centerpiece tenant of The Academy of Music, alongside The Pennsylvania
Ballet. The 2002-2003 season opened with a blockbuster Carmen,
and continues in January when Verdi’s beloved La Traviata takes The Academy of Music stage with favorites Maureen O'Flynn and William Burden. March features Mozart’s comic Cosi
Fan Tutte and Verdi’s dramatic Macbeth. Strauss’
fascinating Ariadne Auf Naxos closes the season in April.
For more information, call 215-893 - 3600 or
visit the Opera Company's web site at http://www.operaphilly.com |