Orlando Opera
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The Orlando Opera was a professional American regional opera company located in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1958, the company ceased operations in 2009 because of financial problems.[1] The opera performed multiple times a year in the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and other venues in the central Florida region. The Orlando Opera typically produced three full opera productions per season.[2][3] For many years, until its own demise, the Florida Symphony Orchestra was the orchestra for the Orlando Opera.[4][5][6] The 51 year old Orlando Opera did not survive the combined effects of the 2008-2009 Great Recession and its own longstanding financial problems related to significant budget deficits.[1][7] On April 16, 2009, the company announced it would suspend all operations and close its doors due to poor economic conditions.[8] The Orlando Opera's board of trustees voted to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 24, 2009. The company had one remaining liability, $200,000 received from subscibers for the canceled upcoming 2009-2010 season.[9]
History
[edit]Orlando Opera grew out of gala benefits sponsored by the Florida Symphony Orchestra in 1958. During the company's early seasons, concert arias were produced and gradually staged opera scenes were performed. In 1979, Olando Opera began mounting its own productions.[10]
General Directors
- Richard R. Owens
- Robert Swedberg[7]
Conductors
- Frank Miller[7]
- Pavle Despalj[11]
- Alfred Savia, Music Director 1980-1983[12]
- Cornelius Eberhardt[4]
- William Huckaby[6]
- Anton Coppola
References
[edit]- ^ a b Maupin, Elizabeth (23 March 2009). "Orlando Opera may have to abandon next season". orlando sentinel. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ^ "new season of operas may feature subtitles". Orlando Sentinel. 30 May 1985. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ Monaghan, Kelly (2004). The Other Orlando What to do When You've Done Disney and Universal. Intrepid Traveler. p. 277. ISBN 97811887140508.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b "Sad italian tale takes wing in orlando performance". Orlando Sentinel. 17 November 1985. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ "FSO Musicians are playing for time, Money". Orlando Sentinel. 18 November 1990. Retrieved 10 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Drama makes strong showing in 'Susannah'". orlando sentinel. 22 March 1987. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ^ a b c Manes, Billy (10 September 2009). "The Opera is Dead. Long live the Opera". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ Abbott, Jim (25 June 2009). "United Arts to spend $200,000 to help opera survive in Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ "Orlando Opera to file for bankruptcy". Orlando sentinel. 28 April 2009. p. 1. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
{{cite news}}:|archive-date=requires|archive-url=(help) - ^ Zietz, Karyl Lynn (15 October 2024). Opera Companies and Houses of the United States A Comprehensive Illustrated Reference. McFarland & Company, Inc. (published 2024). p. 73. ISBN 9781476612034.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - ^ "Despalj Pavle, F.C.A." Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. 17 April 2025. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ "Alfred Savia" (PDF). Alfred Savia. 15 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
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- Musical groups from Orlando, Florida
- American opera companies
- Companies that filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2009
- Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Musical groups established in 1958
- Musical groups disestablished in 2009
- 1958 establishments in Florida
- 2009 disestablishments in Florida
- Opera company stubs