Mission: Building a professional opera company in asheville and presenting an educational
Programs: The asheville lyric opera (alo) celebrated their fifteenth anniversary this year and produced three main stage shows, and several fundraising events. July: carousel, october: sour angelica/pagliacci, january: the opera gala, and spring: don giovanni. This was the eighth year the alo had partnered with the methd broadcasts in promoting opera for the broadcast from the met and introducing the audience to the alo. Additional education projects included the second artists training program in the summer along with an arts administration internship. Also, alo held outreach concerts at retirement communities and opera lectures throughout the community. The alo continues to provide preview dress rehearsals for each production. The company is expanding its national profile by offering auditions for singers from around the country. This happens 3 times each season.
The caliber of Asheville Lyric Opera's performances is only matched by the breadth of its patrons. With maybe a few European exceptions, nowhere have I seen such professional opera transcend so many social, economical, and generational barriers in such an intimate and personal manner. The performers are internationally renown, the musical and artistic directing is superb, the downtown theater is small, the audience is diverse, and the entire community is vested - from local restaurants to hotels to artists. I am overjoyed that such a gem flourishes in my beloved Blue Ridge mountains.
