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AUSTIN OPERA 2014-15 SEASON TICKET SALES EXCEED $1 MILLION
Company’s Dramatic 2015-16 Season Builds on Success
AUSTIN – August 27, 2015 – The 2014-15 Season brought many highs to Austin Opera, including a new name and a vibrant new look, increased attendance and fundraising results, and a fourth consecutive year closed successfully with a balanced budget. Now, Austin Opera is building on that success in its 29th Season as it opens its year the first time with an operatic Gala Concert on September 26 at the Long Center.
Financial Achievements in the 2014-15 Season
- For the first time since the 2009-10 Season, total ticket sales exceeded $1 million.
- The Company saw a 29% increase in single tickets sold from the previous season.
- Contributed revenue grew by 8% over the previous year, driven by increased individual giving of 13%.
- Austin Opera has received a $250,000 challenge grant from John and Marcy Melanson for new or increased gifts made to the company, and to date is more than halfway to meeting the challenge. Marcy has served on the Austin Opera board of trustees for the past five years.
“Austin has experienced remarkable growth in the past several years and Austin Opera has worked to grow along with the city,” said Joseph Specter, General Director. “Opera companies today face many challenges, but we are turning those challenges into opportunities to engage new audiences through compelling programming and strengthened marketing and fundraising efforts. Our increased focus in communicating with both new and existing audiences has helped build enthusiasm and has inspired generosity from the Austin community, for which we are incredibly grateful.”
Ensuring Artistic Excellence
In 2014-15, Austin Opera secured multi-year contracts with the stagehands, the orchestra, Specter, and Artistic Director Richard Buckley; ensuring audiences experience exceptional opera in Austin for the future.
“A lot of attention is deservedly paid to the lead performers during our productions, but there are hundreds of Austinites that bring this art form to life each season who are rarely recognized,” Buckley said. “We would not be able to deliver the sophisticated productions our audience expects if it were not for our exceptional orchestra, chorus, stagehands, and staff. They are the heart and soul of the Company, and they make Austin Opera’s artistic vision a reality.”
- Austin Opera and Local 205 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts (IATSE) signed a three-year contract beginning July 1, 2015.
- The Local 433 American Federation of Musicians (AF of M), representing the Austin Opera Orchestra, also signed a three-year contract with the Company, beginning July 1, 2015. The contract was signed in 2014, nearly a year ahead of deadline.
- Joseph Specter, Austin Opera’s General Director, signed a three-year agreement beginning on July 1, 2015.
- Richard Buckley, Austin Opera’s Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, signed a four-year contract agreement beginning on July 1, 2015. The coming season marks his 12th with the Company.
“Austin Opera has experienced many exciting changes under Richard and Joe’s leadership, and due to their direction it is thriving,” Austin Opera Chairwoman Wendi Kushner said. “The Board is extremely pleased they signed new contracts with the Company and we look forward to their continued success and the bright future of Austin Opera.”
The 2015-16 Season
For the first time in the Company’s history, it is opening the season with an operatic Gala Concert on September 26, 2015. The Gala Concert will highlight the music of Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, repertoire rarely heard in Austin. The program will feature dramatic soprano Heidi Melton, soprano Rachele Gilmore, and mezzo soprano Liz Cass in selections from Tristan und Isolde, Der Rosenkavalier, Salome, and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, among others. The concert marks the first expansion of programming by Austin Opera since its residency at the Long Center began in 2008.
Following the Gala Concert, Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida makes its first return to Austin Opera’s stage in 15 years, with performances on November 7, 12, and 15, 2015. Karen Slack will bring her admired interpretation of the title role, alongside tenor Issachah Savage as Radames, and Finnish mezzo soprano Tuija Knihtilä as Amneris. Slack, Savage and Knihtilä are all making their Austin Opera debuts with this production.
Making its Austin Opera premiere on January 23, 28, and 31, 2016, Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men is a riveting and visceral opera that vividly captures John Steinbeck’s novella. Maestro Buckley performed Of Mice and Men 48 times between 1976 and 1982 throughout the U.S., and this production will mark his first performances of the piece in Austin. Corey Bix and Matthew Burns will portray Lennie and George, following their acclaimed performances of those roles at Utah Opera.
Closing out the 29th Season is Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, one of opera’s most cherished comic works. The opera takes to the stage on April 23, 28, and May 1, 2016, with the dazzling charm and vocal fireworks of Ginger Costa-Jackson as Rosina, Troy Cook as Figaro, and Juan José de León as Count Almaviva.
The Season Opening Gala Concert and three subscription operas all take place at the Long Center, of which Austin Opera is a Founding Resident Company. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 512-472-5927 or at AustinOpera.org.
About Austin Opera
Founded in May 1986 as Austin’s first professional opera company, Austin Opera has become a cultural touchstone for the fine arts community in the Central Texas region and has gained national acclaim as a producer of great opera. Austin Opera is committed to producing and promoting outstanding opera that will entertain, enrich and educate the central Texas community. Austin Opera is a cultural destination for the community that delivers an extraordinary experience; is a creative environment that challenges the misconceptions of the art form; enables lifelong learning; and celebrates the diversity that makes Austin unique. Austin Opera productions consistently garner national and international praise for production value, vocal artistry, repertoire selection, and the leadership of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Richard Buckley. For more information about Austin Opera, please visit AustinOpera.org.