Golden Gate Opera

Programs: Golden gate opera 2016 program activities: operas: one world premiere opera produced in 2016 about the civil war and emancipation proclamation: audience development and addition to the art form of opera. "lincoln: the african american connection" by mill valley's composer john cepelak and librettist christina rose was premiered on july 3, 2016 in mill valley's golden gate theological seminary chapel. A script reading of the new work was held prior to rehearsals starting. Cast: professional opera singers (5)performed roles of president lincoln, mary todd lincoln, elizabeth keckley, frederick douglass and sam everyman (lincoln's white house aide), joined by gospel choir of select gospel singers from marin and the bay area. This one-act depicts the true story of lincoln and his relationships with three african americans who became his friends, influencing him to sign the emancipation proclamation. The opera shows lincoln's love for african american gospel music, as the final piece moving him that pushed him over the edge to sign that document. The cast is comprised of opera singers and gospel choir. With this project we honored the 100th centennial anniversary of the national parks service. Audience development: broadening of our audience included more african american adults and children, fans of abraham lincoln, civil war history buffs. Bay view opera house in san francisco's hunters point district expressed interest as a partial sponsor to present this and arrange for local school children and high school students to be in the audience. Funds are needed for the costs of artists and production. Theatre and outreach to schools will be donated. Anti-bullying opera libretto adapted: throughout 2016 work took place adapting the 1982 libretto of gian carlo menotti's "the boy who grew too fast", a one act opera for young people. The result was that libretto/script adaptation and ggo teachers' guide were completed. Novato united school district's blue ribbon coalition's bullying prevention committee and its co-chairs partnered with ggo on this work. The adapted libretto then received official approval menotti's publisher, g. Schirmer, inc. , & associates in new york, for use with schools. School superintendents and parents also approved it. School program: in november 2016 ggo launched "the boy who grew too fast" as an educational bullying prevention opera program that engages children in their classrooms. The mini program was tested by ggo engaging with third graders in their classrooms at two novato elementary schools. Beautiful news article appeared in the marin independent journal. Aria party in private home. Diwali festival of lights aria party october 30, 2016 people enriched in 2016: a total of 1457 people were enriched: audiences, performers, children, school administrators, parents, volunteers. 9 performances took place including 7 at local schools, 1 aria party in private home, 1 full opera performed for the public, 1 script reading, and children chorus rehearsals. Awards: nea, cac among others. Won the national endowment for the arts nea artworks award, california arts council local impact award, the bernard osher foundation, the fenwick foundation, hilda namm philanthropic fund, maurice kanbar philanthropic trust, county of marin