This spring, General Director Joe Specter posed a special challenge to the Austin Lyric Opera Guild to help boost Season Ticket sales for the 2014-15 Season.
- If 70% of the Guild members renewed their Season Tickets, Specter would sing for free at their Annual Spring Party. Specter is a former baritone opera singer.
- If 80% of the Guild members renewed their Season Tickets, Specter would sing and he would swim across the pool dressed in a tuxedo.
The result? More than 80% of Guild members renewed, and Specter took the plunge. Dozens of Guild members were in attendance to witness the spectacle on May 17 at the private home of a Guild member.
Specter says he learned the hard way not to take challenges to the Guild so lightly. “Don’t mess with Texas,” said New York City transplant, Specter, “and don’t mess with the Austin Lyric Opera Guild.”