Opera Philadelphia 2012-2013 Annual Report

2 0 1 2

A N N U A L R E P O R T

2 0 1 3

TA B L E o f C O N T E N T S

B O A R D o f D I R E C T O R S

0 4 O N T H E S TA G E

1 6 I N T H E C I T Y

1 8 F R O M T H E L A B

2 0 A M E R I C A N O P E R A

2 2 PA R T N E R S H I P S

2 4 FA M I LY

2 6 T H E F U T U R E

2 8 B E C A U S E O F Y O U

3 8 F I N A N C I A L S

4 0 W H AT ’ S N E X T

O F F I C E R S

DANIEL K. MEYER, M.D.Chairman

FREDERICK P. HUFFVice Chair

JOEL M. KOPPELMANVice Chair

ALICE W. STRINEVice Chair

SCOTT F. RICHARDSecretary

THOMAS MAHONEYTreasurer

STEPHEN A. MADVA, ESQ.Chairman Emeritus

M E M B E R S

Benjamin AlexanderSandra K. BaldinoF. Joshua Barnett, M.D., J.D.Willo CareyNicholas E. Chimicles, Esq.Mark HankinFrederick P. HuffJoel KoppelmanDavid KutchBeverly Lange, M.D.Ellen Berman LeeGabriele W. LeePeter LeoneStephen A. Madva, Esq.Thomas MahoneyDaniel K. Meyer, M.D.Agnes MulroneyScott F. RichardHarold RosenbluthRoberto SellaStephen G. Somkuti, M.D.Jonathan H. SprogellJames B. StrawAlice W. StrineKenneth R. SwimmMaria J. TraftonCharlotte WattsDonna Wechsler

H O N O R A R Y M E M B E R S

Dennis AlterAlan B. Miller

COVER: Kelly Kaduce and William Burden in the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night. Photo by Kelly & Massa.

RIGHT: Patricia Schuman as the Duchess of Argyll in Powder Her Face. Photo by Kelly & Massa.

When I first became involved with the Opera in Philadelphia, I couldn’t have imagined that I would one day be Chairman of the Board. And I certainly never could have dreamed up a first year as eventful as the 2012-2013 Season turned out to be.

That is one of the great beauties of opera—it is always surprising you!

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors of the company now known as Opera Philadelphia, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for your support of both the 2012-2013 Season and the future of opera in our great city. It was an extraordinary season of artistic and

institutional accomplishments, made possible by a cast of thousands—dedicated staff; incredibly talented artists; strategic partners; an opera-loving city; and devoted supporters from our philanthropic community.

On stage, it was a year of innovation. We began the season with an art-inspired La bohème in collaboration with The Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. What a thrill it was to see a rising star like Bryan Hymel, who trained right here in Philadelphia, share the stage with Renoir and Van Gogh! We also presented the East Coast Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Silent Night, which catapulted Opera Philadelphia to the forefront of the development of new opera in our country, and received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. In March, we partnered with the Curtis Opera Theatre for Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave, and in April we presented a charming Magic Flute to packed houses at the Academy of Music. We closed in June with a stunning new production of Thomas Adès’s Powder Her Face, featuring a virtuoso performance by Patricia Schuman as the Duchess.

In the city, we hosted more than 2,000 kids and grownups at three Family Days at the Opera at the Academy of Music; nearly 3,000 guests for a free Opera on the Mall HD broadcast at Independence National Historical Park; and more than 5,000 school children in the award-winning Sounds of LearningTM educational program, a unique arts education experience that weaves the study of a current production into the core curriculum.

Behind the scenes, we strengthened our commitment to the future of opera. Baritone Nathan Gunn joined the team as Director of the American Repertoire Council, a group committed to helping us bring new American opera—including five works currently under commission—to the stage in the next decade. We also witnessed the artistic growth of our two Composers in Residence, Lembit Beecher and Missy Mazzoli, who spent the season learning the ins and outs and ups and downs of bringing opera to the stage.

And last but not least, this spectacular season was also our first under the leadership of David B. Devan as General Director. While David has been with us for more than six years now, the 2012-2013 Season was the first in which the business and artistic operations were united under his leadership. David and his team have taken the opera world by storm with their relentless pursuit to reinvent the ideal opera company right here in Philadelphia.

In the pages ahead, David will take you through this season of reinvention beginning with how we changed our name and crafted a bold and original new look for the Opera. This 2012-2013 Annual Report is much more than a look back. It is a glimpse into our future, one that each of you made possible thanks to your tremendous support!

Sincerely,

Daniel K. Meyer, M.D.Chairman

L E T T E R F R O M T H E C H A I R M A N

al

“ To mark general director David Devan’s growing focus on innovative repertory, presentation and marketing, the former Opera Company of Philadelphia has rebranded itself Opera Philadelphia.”

O P E R A N E W S

General Director & President David B. Devan. Photo by Chris Sembrot.2

al

This was the season we changed our name. But it was about so much more than just a name.

It was a matter of only two words, but when we made the switch on January 29, 2013, it signaled a change that had been brewing for several years on South Broad Street and throughout the city.

The name, the cursive of our new logo, the bold design of our website and printed materials, these were all signals that one of the country’s most venerable opera companies was able to adapt and embrace the new within a timeless art form.

When I arrived in Philadelphia in 2006, the company was known for doing opera in the Academy of Music, but the team recognized that truly great opera did not have to be tethered in one opera house—even one as magnificent as the Academy. And so, over the years, with the guidance of Music Director Corrado Rovaris, Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen, and American Repertoire Council Director Nathan Gunn, we began to diversify —an annual co-production with the Curtis Institute of Music; The Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater; Random Acts of Culture; the world’s most comprehensive Composer in Residence Program; outdoor broadcasts in high definition. And we are constantly looking for new ways to create opera, new partners with which to create it, and new venues in which to create it.

Our ultimate goal is to be a source of civic pride by creating opera in our city. That can mean the Academy of Music, the Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Independence Mall or a warehouse converted into a temporary performance space. Opera can find you in every facet of life. We are not a company in Philadelphia. We are Philadelphia.

A number of people deserve thanks for helping us to define our strategic vision and launch our new brand, especially our Branding Committee Chair Joel Koppelman, Maureen Craig from Mo Strategy, and Caroline Kennedy and her team of strategists, marketers, designers and writers at the Karma Agency. They helped us change our name and to see that the Opera is about more than just a name.

Here’s what it’s all about…

D AV I D B . D E VA NG E N E R A L D I R E C T O R & P R E S I D E N T

3

I T ’ S A B O U T

4

T H E S T A G E

“ Opera Philadelphia deserves praise not only for investigating offbeat styles but also for promoting opera of the post-Puccini variety.”

ALEX ROSS, THE NEW YORKER

5

“ An absolute success, full of fine singing and acting and eye-filling stage direction in this romanticized slice of life of struggling artists in late 19th-century Paris.”

T H E P H I L A D E L P H I A I N Q U I R E R

“ The international-class performance was that of AVA-trained Bryan Hymel as Rodolfo: ardent and lively onstage, Hymel produced a stream of healthy, ringing tone that… was exciting in its impact.”

O P E R A N E W S

G I A C O M O P U C C I N I

L A B O H È M ESEPTEMBER 28–OCTOBER 7 , 2012

ACADEMY OF MUS IC

Bryan Hymel as Rodolfo in La bohème. Photo by Kelly & Massa.6

C A S TNORAH AMSELLEM / Mimì

BRYAN HYMEL* / Rodolfo

TROY COOK / Marcello

LEAH PARTRIDGE / Musetta

CRAIG VERM* / Schaunard

JEREMY MILNER / Colline

KEVIN GLAVIN / Benoit/Alcindoro

C R E AT I V E T E A MCORRADO ROVARIS / Conductor

DAVIDE LIVERMORE / Director & Set Design

JORGE JARA* / Costume Design

DREW BILLIAU / Lighting Design

ELIZABETH BRADEN / Chorus Master

D-WOK* / Video Design

*Opera Philadelphia debut

P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R S

JOEL AND SHARON KOPPELMAN

A R T I S T U N D E RW R I T E R SMRS. JOHN P. MULRONEY AND

ALICE AND WALTER STRINE (Orchestra)

KENNETH B. AND PAMELA R. DUNN

(Norah Amsellem and Bryan Hymel)

MR. RICHARD B. WORLEY AND MS. LESLIE ANNE MILLER

(Leah Partridge and Troy Cook)

SCOTT F. AND ROBERTA C. RICHARD

(Craig Verm)

DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA

(Corrado Rovaris)

THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL

(Creative Team)

7

“ A tautly paced and involving work… the academy was packed, and the audience responded with a sustained ovation, especially for Mr. Puts and Mr. Campbell… this score, conducted with supple pacing and vitality by Michael Christie, balances turmoil with introspection in a way that keeps drawing you into a story that could easily turn sentimental.”

T H E N E W Y O R K T I M E S

K E V I N P U T S / M A R K C A M P B E L L

S I L E N T N I G H TFEBRUARY 8–17 , 2013 | ACADEMY OF MUS IC

WINNER OF THE 2012 PULITZER PRIZE FOR MUSIC

William Burden, Kelly Kaduce and the cast of Silent Night, a co-production with The Minnesota Opera. Photo by Dominic M. Mercier.8

C A S TWILLIAM BURDEN / Nikolaus Sprink

KELLY KADUCE / Anna Sørenson

LIAM BONNER* / Lt. Audebert

CRAIG IRVIN / Lt. Horstmayer

GABRIEL PREISSER* / Lt. Gordon

TROY COOK / Father Palmer

ANDREW WILKOWSKE* / Ponchel

ZACH BORICHEVSKY* / Jonathan Dale

BRANDON CEDEL / William Dale

ALBERT J. GLUECKERT* / Kronprinz

C R E AT I V E T E A MMICHAEL CHRISTIE* / Conductor

ERIC SIMONSON* / Director

FRANCIS O’CONNER* / Set Design

KÄRIN KOPISCHKE* / Costume Design

MARCUS DILLIARD* / Lighting Design

ANDRZEJ GOULDING* / Projection Design

C. ANDREW MAYER* / Sound Design

DAVID ZIMMERMAN* / Wig & Make-Up Design



THE WYNCOTE FOUNDATION

MS. BARBARA AUGUSTA TEICHERT

Additional Production Support provided by: THE PEW CENTER FOR ARTS & HERITAGE

THROUGH THE PHILADELPHIA MUSIC PROJECT NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS;

THE JACOB BURNS FOUNDATION, INC.



SANDRA BALDINO (Kelly Kaduce)

JUDY AND PETER LEONE (William Burden)

MR. PETER BENOLIEL AND MS. WILLO CAREY (Liam Bonner)

MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK P. HUFF (Craig Irvin)

MR. AND MRS. JOHN D. ROLLINS (Andrew Wilkowske)

GABRIELE LEE (Eric Simonsen)

DR. AND MRS. ANDREW WECHSLER (Zach Borichevsky)

MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL (Gabriel Preisser)

MARGUERITE AND GERRY LENFEST (Brandon Cedel and Thomas Schivone)

DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA (Corrado Rovaris)

THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL

(Creative Team)

DRS. RENATO AND BEVERLY BASERGA (Corrado Rovaris)

“ Curtis Opera Theatre’s annual Perelman Theater outings have become local must-see events for serious operagoers. ”

O P E R A N E W S

C U R T I S O P E R A T H E A T R E

B E N J A M I N B R I T T E N

O W E N W I N G R AV EMARCH 13–17 , 2013 | P ERE LMAN THEATER

Julien Arsenault as Owen Wingrave. Photo by David Swanson.10

C A S TJULIAN ARSENAULT / JAMEZ MCCORKLE

Owen WingraveJAZMINA MACNEIL / NIAN WANG

Kate JulianANDREW BOGARD / ANTHONY REED

Spencer Coyle

SHIR ROZZEN / Miss Wingrave

RACHEL STERRENBERG / Mrs. Coyle

ANNA DAVIDSON / Mrs. Julian

ROY HAGE / General Sir Philip Wingrave

SPENCER LANG / Lechmere

JARRETT OTT / Narrator

MEMBERS OF THE PHILADELPHIA BOYS CHOIR

C R E AT I V E T E A MGEORGE MANAHAN / Conductor

DANIEL FISH / Director

LAURA JELLINEK / Set Design

TILLY GRIMES / Costume Design

MARK BARTON / Lighting Design

ANDREW LAZAROW / Video Design


WYNCOTE FOUNDATION

DOLFINGER-MCMAHON FOUNDATION

HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS

THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION

11

W O L F G A N G A M A D E U S M O Z A R T

T H E M A G I C F L U T EAPR I L 19–28 , 2013 | ACADEMY OF MUS IC

“ The most enjoyable Flute I ’ve seen in decades.”

O P E R A N E W S

“ This production is visually stunning… Mark Stone’s Papageno is alone worth the price of admission.”

B R O A D W AY W O R L D

Mark Stone as Papageno in a production of The Magic Flute originally created for the Canadian Opera Company. Photo by Kelly & Massa.12

C A S TANTONIO LOZANO / Tamino

ELIZABETH ZHAROFF / Pamina

RACHELE GILMORE* / Queen of the Night

JORDAN BISCH*/ Sarastro

MARK STONE / Papageno

SARAH SHAFER* / Papagena

BEN WAGER / Sprecher

DEVON GUTHRIE*/ First Lady

TAMMY COIL / Second Lady

KATHERINE PRACHT* / Third Lady

JOSEPH GAINES* / Monostatos


DIANE PAULUS* / Production

ASHLIE CORCORAN* / Director

MYUNG HEE CHO* / Set & Costume Design

DREW BILLIAU / Lighting Design

ELIZABETH BRADEN / Chorus Master



THE HORACE W. GOLDSMITH FOUNDATION

OPENING NIGHT SPONSOR: MACY’S



CHUCK AND

ANNETTE PENNONI (Tammy Coil)

MR. AND MRS.

JAMES B. STRAW (Elizabeth Zharoff)

NICHOLAS AND KATHLEEN CHIMICLES

(Rachele Gilmore)

THOMAS MAHONEY (Mark Stone)

DR. AND MRS.

MORTON MANDELL (Ben Wager)

13

“ A gorgeous triumph… Opera Philadelphia pulled off its greatest piece of work this season, and perhaps in several seasons.”

T H E P H I L A D E L P H I A I N Q U I R E R

“ New music is always a risky venture, and the forces behind Aurora have bravely, and as it turns out wisely, chosen repertoire that does not pander to a common denominator.”

P H I L A D E L P H I A C I T Y PA P E R

T H O M A S A D È S

P O W D E R H E R FA C EJUNE 7–16 , 2013 | P ERE LMAN THEATER

A journalist (Ashley Emerson) interviews the Duchess of Argyll (Patricia Schuman) in the Company Premiere and New Production of Powder Her Face. Photo by Kelly & Massa.14

C A S TPATRICIA SCHUMAN / Margaret,

Duchess of Argyll

BEN WAGER / The Hotel Manager

ASHLEY EMERSON* / The Maid

CHRISTOPHER TIESI / The Electrician


WILLIAM KERLEY / Director

TOM ROGERS* / Set & Costume Design

DAVID HOWE* / Lighting Design

ANNE NESMITH* / Wig & Make-Up Design


P R O D U C T I O N U N D E RW R I T E R

WYNCOTE FOUNDATION



15

“ If seeing an opera has been on your bucket list but you aren’t ready to commit to the experience… here’s a perhaps less intimidating option.”

T H E D O Y L E S T O W N I N T E L L I G E N C E R

I T ’ S A B O U T

T H E C I T Y

One of the primary reasons we changed our

name to Opera Philadelphia was our belief

that great opera doesn’t have to be tethered to

an opera house. Opera can discover you, too,

right where you are. Our goal is to bring

Opera and Philadelphia together. That can

mean a blockbuster title in the Academy

of Music, a chamber work in the Perelman

Theater, or something else entirely.

We have been very fortunate to have a great

partner in the Knight Foundation, who believes

you should encounter art wherever you

go. This was our second season in which we

broadcast our Opening Night performance

in high definition to a giant outdoor audience

at Independence National Historical Park.

Some 3,000 Philadelphians enjoyed La

bohème in the shadow of Independence

Hall, in a broadcast supported by the Knight

Foundation. We also celebrated our 80th

Knight Foundation Random Act of Culture on

September 15, as more than 300 musicians

and dancers from five states entertained

a delighted crowd at Amtrak’s 30th Street

Station with a performance of the “O Fortuna”

chorus from Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.

It was thrilling to see travelers unexpectedly

encounter our opera company while passing

through Philadelphia.

This past year also saw the research and

development stage of an exciting new series

titled Opera in the City, in which we will

offer a fully staged opera in an unexpected

venue, diversifying operatic experiences

for Philadelphia audiences. That series will

launch in November with the Serbian a

cappella opera Svadba–Wedding at the new

FringeArts building along the Delaware River.

I am grateful to Dennis Scholl, Vice President/

Arts, at the Knight Foundation, who believes

that by bringing artists out of the traditional

performance hall and into new spaces,

Opera Philadelphia will continue to engage

new audience members.

In every facet of life, in every corner of our

city, opera can find you. That is what the

name ‘Opera Philadelphia’ truly means.

“ For many reasons, Philadelphia has some of the richest operatic DNA in America.”

W Q X R

TOP: Philadelphians gather for Opera on the Mall. Photo by Kelly & Massa. BOTTOM LEFT: Jacqueline Woodley as Milica in the Svadba-Wed-ding World Premiere, Toronto, June 2011. Photo: John Lauener. BOTTOM RIGHT: General Director & President David B. Devan with performers following a Random Act of Culture at 30th Street Station. Photo by Kelly & Massa. 17

One of the great joys of my job as General Director of Opera Philadelphia is working with composers who are just entering the field of opera. The public rarely sees this “research and development” work, but it is some of the most rewarding aspects of what we do. Throughout the season, I spent a lot of time with our two young Composers in Residence, Lembit Beecher and Missy Mazzoli. These two incredibly talented musicians have been learning about all aspects of creating opera – taking voice lessons, writing librettos, taking part in the rehearsal process and more – in a hands-on program designed to help them create future operatic masterpieces. It has been a joy to help foster their development as artists along with our partners at Gotham Chamber Opera and Music-Theatre Group of New York.

C R E AT I V I T Y

I T ’ S A B O U T

“ My second year of the Composer in Residence program was focused on writing, beginning with an intense workshop in Canada where I wrote four scenes with different librettists over the per iod of ten days! For much of the year I have been working with Gotham Chamber Opera on a 30-minute chamber opera, I Have No Stories to Tell You, which will be a companion piece to Monteverdi ’s I l Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda . The double bil l wil l premiere next February at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has been a wonderful experience to be involved in so many stages of opera development—the initial conception, libretto writing, casting, writing and initial workshops. I have realized how important it is for me as the composer to have strong initial ideas that others in the creative team can react to. But second, I am struck with how much the composer relies on others to help make the work take shape. This feeling is actually an empowering one, knowing how many talented, professional and caring people are taking this creative journey with me.”

LEMBIT BEECHER, COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE

18

T h e C o m p o s e r i n R e s i d e n c e P r o g ra m i s m a d e p o s s i b l e b y T h e A n d r e w W. M e l l o n Fo u n d a t i o n .

“ In my first year as Opera P hiladelphia's Composer in Residence, my knowledge and appreciation of opera has expanded exponentially. My biggest ‘wow ’ moment came during the fantastic production of Thomas Adès's Powder Her Face in June. While listening to a rehearsal of this incredibly complex work I felt that opera was no longer a mystery; I felt that I could finally hear through all the layers and understand what made the piece truly work. This moment of understanding, while admittedly vague and a little hard to describe, is crucial to my feeling that I could also tackle a huge opera, and it would not have been possible without the last twelve months of intense study and observation that Opera Philadelphia provided.”

MISSY MAZZOLI, COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE

Lembit and Missy were on hand in early December when Philadelphia-based, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon treated us to our first live performances of excerpts from her first opera, Cold Mountain, which is based on Charles Frazier’s Civil War-era novel. One of the most anticipated new works in our American Repertoire Program, Cold Mountain, makes its world premiere in Santa Fe in 2015 before coming to the Academy of Music in February 2016.

Artistic Advisor Mikael Eliasen facilitated a weeklong workshop with the talented singers of the Curtis Opera Theatre, culminating in the live performance. There was no indication at all that this is Jennifer’s first opera. It is fresh. It doesn’t sound like anything else. It is so perfectly written for the voice it ’s like she has been writing opera her whole career!

I cannot wait until audiences get to hear Jennifer’s work as well as the music that Lembit and Missy are writing. The future of opera is in good hands!

19

It was a thrilling year for the American Repertoire Program,

our commitment to produce a new American work in ten

consecutive seasons. In September, we welcomed the amazing

baritone Nathan Gunn to our team as Director of the American

Repertoire Council, and he quickly went to work assembling

a brilliant group of advisors for the council. We held our first

meeting in February, the day after our gala celebration of new

operatic work, and it was a fascinating day filled with creative

energy and ideas for bringing new opera to Philadelphia.

Those of you who joined us at the Gala know what an exciting

time it is for the future of American operatic work. At that

event, we heard live performances of new music from Oscar

by Theodore Morrison, slated for the Academy of Music in

2015; and Cold Mountain by Jennifer Higdon. One week later,

we produced the East Coast Premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-

winning Silent Night, by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell.

It was such a treat to see the Academy packed for a new opera

and to watch Kevin and Mark react to how Philadelphia

warmly embraced their work. Next season, in the Aurora Series for

Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater, we will produce the East

Coast Premiere of Ricky Ian Gordon’s A Coff in in Egypt, starring

the beloved Frederica von Stade.

And there’s more to come! Philadelphia is blazing a trail,

thanks to Nathan, the Council, and the incredible artistic team

at Opera Philadelphia.

“ They’re increasingly taking chances, offering unusual and new work along with repertory staples, and carving out a place for themselves as proponents of American opera.”

T H E W A S H I N G T O N P O S T

“ I think it’s particularly appropriate

that a city known for its revolutionary

spirit has made this significant

commitment to the future of

American work.”

N AT H A N G U N N

I T ’ S A B O U T

A M E R I C A N O P E R A

The Silent Night chorus. Photo by Kelly & Massa.20

O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A’ S A M E R I C A N R E P E RT O I R E C O U N C I LLEMBIT BEECHER / Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence ANNIE BURRIDGE / Senior Vice President, Institutional Advancement DAVID DEVAN / General Director & President MIKAEL ELIASEN / Artistic Advisor; Departmental Chair in Vocal Studies, Curtis Institute of Music YOUNGMOO KIM / Assistant Dean of Engineering for Media Technologies, Drexel University DAVID LAI / Conductor and Music Producer MISSY MAZZOLI / Opera Philadelphia Composer in Residence DANIEL K. MEYER M.D. / Chairman, Opera Philadelphia ZIZI MUELLER / President of Boosey & Hawkes classical music publishing company ERIC OWENS / Operatic Bass-Baritone DAVID HYDE PIERCE / Emmy and Tony Award-Winning Actor DAVID PITTSINGER / Operatic Bass-Baritone GUTHRIE P. RAMSEY, JR. / Professor of Music, University of Pennsylvania GENE SCHEER / Songwriter and Operatic Librettist PATRICIA SCHUMAN / Operatic Soprano

21

“ It is a terrific formula, and bodes well for attracting a newer and younger audience.”


22

“The Philadelphia Orchestra and Opera Philadelphia have unveiled their first collaboration on a new production of

Richard Strauss’ lusty one-act opera Salome.” T H E A S S O C I AT E D P R E S S

PARTNERSH I PSIT ’S ABOUT

ABOVE: General Director & President David B. Devan is flanked by Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Philadelphia Orchestra President & CEO Allison Vulgamore. Photo by Katherine Blodgett. TOP LEFT: Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph perform for students at Reading in Concert: Journey to Hip H’opera. Photo from Art Sanctuary. BOTTOM LEFT: Scottish troops led by Lt. Gordon (Gabriel Preisser, center) in a scene from Silent Night. Photo by Dominic M. Mercier.

This was certainly a season of ‘we.’

We opened with Puccini’s La bohème, made all the more colorful thanks to a partnership with The Barnes Foundation and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Impressionist masterpieces from the two museums came to vivid life on stage through animated, high definition projections, while others inspired the opera’s costumes and set design.

The season continued with the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night, created in partnership between Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Program and The Minnesota Opera’s New Works Initiative. One month later, Opera Philadelphia and the Curtis Opera Theatre teamed up for our sixth annual co-production in the Perelman Theater, Benjamin Britten’s Owen Wingrave.

At Opera Philadelphia, we have been eager to enter partnerships that yield exciting and engaging new experiences for our audiences. Three different partnerships resulted in three uniquely innovative operas this past season, while offstage we moved forward with additional partnerships that will bring new projects to Philadelphia in future seasons.

In April, Opera Philadelphia joined with Art Sanctuary to present Reading in Concert: Journey to Hip H’opera, a student event at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Originally launched in 2007, Hip H’opera is a collaborative, three-phase project that brings teaching artists and workshops to students and teachers in four Philadelphia high schools. Over the next three years, these students will be involved in the creation of an original, professionally-mounted opera inspired by their stories. The opera will be

written for and reflect the lives and concerns of today ’s urban youth. April 30 was an exciting next step in the program, as composer Daniel Bernard Roumain and librettist Marc Bamuthi Joseph, the creative team behind Hip H’opera, performed with students in the program for an audience of hundreds of high school students.

In March, I was proud to stand alongside Philadelphia Orchestra Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and President & CEO Allison Vulgamore to announce next season’s first-ever artistic collaboration between the Opera and the Orchestra—a theatrically-inspired production of Richard Strauss’s provocative masterpiece, Salome.

I am so ecstatic that two of Philadelphia’s iconic performing arts organizations will be sharing the stage of Verizon Hall in 2014. This partnership, like our many others, was born out of a genuine alignment between our companies’ shared artistic goals. Together, we will be creating an amazing moment of civic pride for our city.

23

“Our 3 year old loved the sword fighting event and our 7-year-old friend had a blast…with the conducting session.

What a fine event, a great show, and a wonderful day!”

D E N I N E G O R N I A K

Opera Philadelphia is one big family, and this year we opened our home three times to all of our neighbors and their kids for PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera. What a joy! Thousands of kids of all ages came to the Academy of Music to walk on the stage and check out the sets of our three Opera at the Academy productions: La bohème, Silent Night, and The Magic Flute. The activities were fun and educational. I loved watching children conduct the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra under the tutelage of Maestra Jeri Lynn Johnson of Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra. I laughed as little boys and girls wielded yellow foam swords and followed the moves of stage combat experts from the crew of Silent Night. Children were mesmerized by an interactive opera performance inspired by The Magic Flute, and they loved the fashion show of whimsical animal costumes from the Mozart classic.

Many parents told me after these events that they had wanted to introduce their kids to the opera, but hadn’t yet due to perceived impediments like the foreign languages and the battle between lengthy performances and short attention spans. Family Day helped us to engage kids on their levels. And who knows, perhaps we even inspired a future diva or maestro!

I T ’ S A B O U T

FA M I LY“The pleasure of Family Day was all mine!

What a wonderful and inspiring day for Opera Philadelphia.”

D A N D A R I G A N

At PNC Arts Alive Family Day at the Opera, children enjoy a foam sword fight and conduct the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. Photos by Dominic M. Mercier.

24

25

Miles B. Davis, Principal Bass of the Opera Philadelphia Orchestra. Photo by Diane Mattis.26

“ This was my first time ever experiencing an opera. I thought that the opera was going to be kind of bland, but it was actually very enjoyable. I enjoyed the singing a lot and the great acting of the characters. I hope to go again next year.”

S A M , G R A D E 11 B R I S T O L H I G H S C H O O L

“ Our students have begun to see the opera as something they can fully participate in, both as patrons and directly as part of the production. We are thrilled with the enrichment the Sounds of Learning™ brings to our curriculum.”

M E G A N L AY D E N T H E D E PA U L C AT H O L I C S C H O O L

“ I am convinced that without this program, so many young people would never accept the challenge on their own to see what opera really is all about.”

R O S E M A R I E T E C C E A R C H B I S H O P W O O D H I G H S C H O O L

“ What came as a complete and delightful surprise was a trio of 5th grade boys humming the Queen of the Night’s aria! Now that’s engagement!”

J O Y C E A R N O S K Y P E N N A L E X A N D E R S C H O O L

One of my favorite memories from this past season happened on the afternoon of February 6, when composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell received a standing ovation from nearly 2,000 area students who attended the final dress rehearsal of Silent Night. For many students in the Academy of Music it was their first time at an opera, and here they were, hooting and hollering for the artists who wrote it.

This year, our award-winning Sounds of Learning™

program served nearly 5,300 students from 126 schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York and Maryland. More than 40 percent of total participants were from 51 schools in the School District of Philadelphia. For many students, Sounds of Learning™ is their only access to the arts, and in an environment of drastic cuts to arts education, programs like this are needed now more than ever. Students attended the final dress rehearsals of La bohème, Silent Night, and The Magic Flute, and our community outreach and education staff reached nearly another 1,000 kids via in-school presentations from Cumberland County, NJ to Downingtown, PA. Some 22 organizations, including some colleges and homeschools, participated in Sounds of Learning™

for the first time this season.

I could go on and on about why Opera Philadelphia has been working in schools for more than two decades and the importance of providing lesson plans and student activity books and transportation to the Academy at no cost for each opera. But instead of my words, I’d like to share the words of some of the teachers and students who joined us this season:

I T ’ S A B O U T

THE FUTURE

27

I T ’ S B E C A U S EO F Y O U

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Board member Alice Strine and General Director David B. Devan. Friends of the Opera Ursula Redgrave and Jane Gee with bass-baritone Thomas Shivone. Young Friends Steve Oh and Patricia Blaho with Jack Mulroney Music Director Corrado Rovaris. Board Member and Co-Chair of the General Director’s Council Benjamin Alexander and his wife, Lorraine Alexander. Robert V. Taglieri, Board Member Ellen Berman Lee and Timothy J. Moir.

28

I T ’ S B E C A U S EO F Y O U

“ Opera Philadelphia is a special organization, from the productions on stage to the people behind the scenes. When you get involved with such a warm

and kind group of people, helping them is rewarding in many ways.”

B E N J A M I N A L E X A N D E R B O A R D M E M B E R A N D C O - C H A I R / G E N E R A L D I R E C T O R ’ S C O U N C I L

This magical season could not have been achieved without you, the people who love and support Opera Philadelphia. Even when every seat in the house sells out, opera’s dazzling blend of theatrical, orchestral, and vocal splendor requires considerable fundraised support from within our community.

It is no understatement: You are shaping the very future of opera in our city and in America.

29

$1,000,000+

Wyncote Foundation

The William Penn Foundation

$500,000+

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

$100,000+Anonymous

The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest

Mrs. John P. Mulroney

National Endowment for the Arts

The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative and the Philadelphia Music Project

The Presser Foundation

Alice and Walter Strine

Ms. Barbara Augusta Teichert

The Pew Charitable Trusts

Mr. Richard B. Worley and Ms. Leslie Anne Miller

$50,000+

Mrs. Sandra K. BaldinoDow Chemical Company FoundationMr. and Mrs. Emilio GravagnoIndependence FoundationMs. Lisa D. Kabnick and Mr. John H. McFaddenJoel and Sharon KoppelmanJudy and Peter LeonePennsylvania Council on the ArtsScott F. and Roberta C. Richard

$25,000+

Dr. Heidi L. Kolberg and Dr. F. Joshua BarnettDrs. Renato and Beverly BasergaMr. Peter Benoliel and Ms. Willo CareyGray Charitable TrustNicholas and Kathleen ChimiclesKenneth B. and Pamela R. DunnRita and Philip HarperMr. and Mrs. Frederick P. HuffJacob Burns Foundation, Inc.Ellen Berman LeeGabriele LeeStephen A. Madva and Denise C. CreedonMr. Thomas MahoneySamuel P. Mandell FoundationMcLean ContributionshipAnnette and Chuck PennoniPNCMr. and Mrs. Bernard J. PoussotEstate of Laurence T. RobbinsMr. and Mrs. James B. StrawUniversal Health ServicesWells FargoCharlotte and Bob Watts

L E A D E R S H I P S U P P O RT & M A J O R G I F T S

CHAIRMAN’S COUNCILOur most passionate followers happen to be the ones leading us to greatness. Opera Philadelphia’s Chairman’s Council is a dedicated group of philanthropists committed to ensuring that the future of opera is right here in Philadelphia. We are sincerely grateful to the following supporters, whose collective generosity underwrote more than half of our artistic expenses this season, including productions in the Academy of Music, the nationally lauded Aurora Series for Chamber Opera at the Perelman Theater, our annual Opening Night HD broadcast at Independence National Historical Park, and our award-winning education programs for children.

30

A N N U A L F U N D S U P P O RT

The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of Opera Philadelphia’s fundraising efforts, generating more than $720,000 annually. In fiscal year 2013, gifts to the Annual Fund grew by 10 percent. This year’s outstanding results signify the generosity of the Opera Philadelphia community and the cumulative success of the volunteers who lead our Annual Fund programs. To get involved, visit operaphila.org/annual-giving.

“ The Opera’s dedication to producing great operas in Philadelphia and providing innovative arts programming for the community makes it an important contributor to the quality of life in the region.”

KENNETH SWIMM, BOARD MEMBER & CO-CHAIR, GENERAL D IRECTOR’S COUNCIL

GENERAL D IRECTOR’S COUNCIL

BENJAMIN ALEXANDER & KENNETH SWIMM, CO-CHAIRS

The General Director’s Council is made up of donors committed to helping General Director David B. Devan ensure the ongoing success of Opera Philadelphia. Council members enjoy exclusive events with artists and insider details on the Opera’s future artistic plans and initiatives.

This year, the Council’s activities included two Strategy Sessions led by Mr. Devan exploring the Opera’s strategic plan and artistic initiatives. The Council’s annual Dinner with Principal Artists was held after a matinee performance of Silent Night, where members enjoyed dining with leading cast members includinWilliam Burden, Kelly Kaduce, Liam Bonner, Craig Irvin, and Troy Cook.

PLATINUM $15,000+Judith Durkin Freyer

Mr. and Mrs. David Glickstein

Nancy and Al Hirsig

Stephen T. Janick and Russell E. Palmer

Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer and Joe Neubauer

Ms. Patricia S. Scott

Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Wechsler

Wells Fargo Private Bank

DIAMOND $10,000+Mr. John R. Alchin and Mr. Hal Marryatt

Lorraine and Ben Alexander

Dr. Luther W. Brady

Dianne and Don Cooney

David B. Devan and David A. Dubbeldam

Ady L. Djerassi, M.D. and Robert Golub, M.D.

Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hankin

Mrs. Constance C. Moore

Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rollins

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rosenbluth

Mr. and Mrs. Roberto Sella

Dr. Stephen G. Somkuti

Mr. Jonathan H. Sprogell and Ms. Kathryn Taylor

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Swimm

TOP TO BOTTOM: Board Member Peter Leone, tenor William Burden and Chairman’s Council member Judy Leone; Chairman’s Council members Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest with Chairman Emeritus Stephen A. Madva; Bass Ben Wager and Chairman’s Council member Keith Straw; Chairman’s Council members Rita and Philip HarperLEFT: General Director’s Council members Linda and David Glickstein with soprano Patricia Schuman (center). RIGHT: Judy Freedman, Kevin Puts, Nathan Gunn and Allen Freedman at an event at the Freedmans’ home to celebrate Silent Night.

On January 24, 2013, Opera Philadelphia supporters joined some of New York’s most influential and committed opera patrons to preview and celebrate the East Coast Premiere of Silent Night. Guests enjoyed musical selections from the opera accompanied by composer Kevin Puts, as well as remarks by Nathan Gunn, Director of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, in the spectacular New York City home of Patron Program members Allen and Judy Freedman.

GOLD $7,500+Barra Foundation, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian A. Brodsky

Mr. Robert Devoe

Ben and Nancy Hayllar

Mrs. Gretel Hellendall

Mrs. Sheila Kessler

OPERA America

Philadelphia Cultural Fund

Ms. Carolyn Horn Seidle

Mr. and Mrs. Jay H. Tolson

S ILVER $5,000+Anonymous (2)

Mr. and Mrs. Harris C. Aller, Jr.

Drs. Jean and Robert Belasco

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Block

The CHG Charitable Trust

William and Nadine Haines

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence O. Houstoun

Donald and Gay Kimelman

Mr. William A. Loeb

Dr. Stanley Muravchick and Ms. Arlene Olson

Tom and Jody O’Rourke

Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson Pew

Dr. and Mrs. Joel Porter

Dr. Renée Rollin

Bud and Betty Shapiro

Mr. Robert Taglieri and Mr. Timothy Moir

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Wiener

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Williams

Ethel Benson Wister

PATRON PROGRAM

DONNA WECHSLER, CHAIR

The enthusiastic members of Opera Philadelphia’s Patron Program enjoy VIP benefits and privileges throughout the season including Champagne Intermission Receptions, travel opportunities, and intimate social events with the stars!

Highlights of the 2012-2013 Patron Program events include Season Prelude, which featured a preview recital of the upcoming season followed by a gourmet dinner; the Director’s Salon, offering a recital and talk with Silent Night librettist Mark Campbell and baritone Troy Cook at the home of James and Keith Straw; and the Meet the Artists reception with the cast of Powder Her Face, hosted by Patron Program Chair Donna Wechsler.

“ The education I have received in my years of involvement has been incredible. My understanding of all opera has become more mature as a consequence of my connection with Opera Philadelphia.”

DONNA WECHSLER, BOARD MEMBER AND CHAIR,

Official Sponsor of Opera Philadelphia’s Patron Program

BRONZE$2,000+Anonymous

James and Nancy Abbott

Drs. Ronald D. and Marcia Abraham

Mr. John Aglialoro and Ms. Joan Carter

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Anderson

Myron and Sheila S. Bassman

Frances and Michael Baylson

Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Bazelon

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bergen

Mr. Allen D. Black and Mr. Randolph Apgar

Ms. Carolyn L. Green and Mr. Michael T. Blakeney

Dr. Claire Boasi

Beaty Bock and Jonathan Miller

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Bohn

Stacey Spector and Ira Brind

Robert Bryan and Julie J. Bryan

Ms. Annie Burridge and Mr. Paul Richichi

Drs. Judith and Jeffrey Carpenter

Georgette Ciukurescu

Joan and Frederick Cohen

Dr. Richard Davidson

Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation

Barbara M. Donnelly and Dr. Lamberto Bentivoglio

Drs. Bruce and Toby Eisenstein

James Feussner MD, JD

Sheila Fortune Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Allen Freedman

Mr. and Mrs. David Friedman

Jim and Kay Gately

Mr. Robert H. Gerlach

Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Goldfarb

William and Joan Goldstein

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Graham, IV

Pauline Gray and Edward S. Barnard

Dr. Valerie Arkoosh and Mr. Jeffrey Harbison

David and Ann Harrison, Esqs.

Bruce and Robin Herndon

Ms. Rhoda K. Herrold

Victor and Joan Johnson

Mr. Stephen Jones

Mr. Jeffrey Jowett

The Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Arts Education Fund

William Lake Leonard, Esq.

Maribeth and Steven Lerner

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lewis

Liddy and John Lindsay

William Lockwood

Mr. Wayne R. Lorgus

Dr. and Mrs. Michael B. Love

Harriet and Shelly Margolis

Mr. and Mrs. David G. Marshall

B.A. (Mackie) and Charlotte MacLean

Deborah Glass and Leonard Mellman

Ms. Evalind Minor

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Mintun

Denise and Volker Oakey

Mr. Gresham O’Malley, III

Anna C. O’Riordan, M.D.

Eliana Papadakis

Beatrice Pitcairn

Ms. Harriet Potashnick and Mr. Marshall Levine

David and Susan Rattner

Kelley S. Reilly

Dr. and Mrs. A. Gerald Renthal

David Richards

Mr. David Sacker and Ms. Darcy Hayes

Joyce Seewald Sando

Mr. and Mrs. Curtis E. Sawyer

Drs. Daniel Schidlow and Sally Rosen

Dr. and Mrs. Alan D. Schreiber

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Sheller

Dr. William Sigmund and Mr. Vito Izzo

Ms. Dorothy M. Sopp

Drs. Richard and Rhonda Soricelli

Dr. Laura Stanton and Mr. Kim Tomlinson

Ms. Kathleen Stephenson and Mr. James E. Colberg

Ms. Kira Sterling and Mr. Timothy Sterling

Dr. and Mrs. Michael D. Strong

Dr. and Mrs. Richard N. Taxin

Irvin Borowsky and Laurie Wagman

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Wheatley

Dr. Leah Whipple

Drs. Anne and Jim Williamson

Ana-Maria Zaugg and David Anstice

32

PARTNER$1,000+Anonymous (2)Dorothy and Stanley AbelsonMs. Susan AsplundhDr. John F. BayleyDrs. Hester and Martin BlackAnne M. and William B. CareyMrs. Mary E. Chomitz and Mr. Morton A. CollierJeremi ConawayDr. Frank CraparoMark Duckett and Stan GaddyLois and John DursoMr. John H. Erickson and Mr. Harry I. ZaleznikMs. Juliet J. Goodfriend and Dr. Marc R. MoreauDr. and Mrs. Henry J. Greenwood and Ms. Marilyn GreenwoodMr. and Mrs. Arthur J. GruganDr. Brett GutscheDr. Mark Hemling and Mr. John MarrazzoHannah L. HendersonCheryl Lawson and Jennifer HigdonLinda E. HowardDr. and Mrs. Leonid HrebienDr. Richard B. KentMary Louise KrumrineFran and Leon L. LevyMerle and Marvin LevyMr. Andrew MulroneyMs. Christine L. MulroneyDr. and Mrs. A. H. NishikawaMr. Steve Oh and Ms. Patricia BlahoMr. Kenneth PatersonDr. Mary R. W. ReardonMichael Sanyour and Laurada ByersDr. and Mrs. Robert SharrarDr. and Mrs. Robert G. SomersMr. Thomas C. Woodward

SUSTAINER$500+Anonymous (2)Mr. and Mrs. Ronald M. AgulnickMs. Lydia Alvarez (in memory of Isabelle M. Ferguson)Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. AsplundhBrian, Theresa, and Max BakerDr. and Mrs. Paul BatastiniDrs. Deidre and Michael BlankDr. and Mrs. Joseph BohenBelinda S. Manning and David C. BowmanDr. and Mrs. Murray BrandMr. Will Sears Bricker IILynn and Jerri BurketMr. and Mrs. R. Nelson ByrneMr. Michael F. Cade and Mr. Mayron Lizardo Lopez RuizMadeleine and James CarlsonDr. Berit CarlsonMr. and Mrs. Charles E. ChaseDrs. Fred and Karen ClarkMr. Patrick Connolly and Ms. Karen CarvalhoDr. and Mrs. Michael ConradMr. Mark CornishMr. Peter S. CressmanDr. Adrian DanaMr. and Mrs. Claude DeBottonMr. James J. Donohue Esq. and Ms. Carol MagerPamela DrexelMr. and Mrs. Anthony FiorenzaMr. and Mrs. Henry FoehlMs. Helen H. FordMr. and Mrs. Randall P. GaboriaultJane Gleim GeeMr. Andrew R. Gelber (in memory of Sylvia Gelber)Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Gillen, Jr.Eileen Grycky and Michael KellerMr. and Mrs. John B. HagnerMr. Timothy Harris

Mr. and Mrs. William W. HeiligMr. and Mrs. Raymond HelversonMr. and Mrs. Joseph J. HillTerry and Paul HirshornDr. and Mrs. Howard E. HudsonMarjorie and Joel JensenMs. Aileen M. KennedyMr. and Mrs. Edward KennedyMr. and Mrs. Richard P. KluftJack Kolpen and Beth Ann Wahl KolpenMr. Nicholas Kouletsis and Mr. Jeffrey ZarnochMs. Dolores S. KuenzelLucinda and Charles LandrethMr. Peter LaneDr. and Mrs. J. Frederick LauciusMr. and Mrs. George S. LeoneMr. and Mrs. Murray S. LevinMr. and Mrs. David LevyDavid and Cheska LevyAnn Csink and John LinckMr. and Mrs. John A. LorenzoMr. and Mrs. Robert A. LukensDr. Colin F. MacKayDr. & Mrs. Larry MapowMs. Alexis M. Berg and Dr. Joel MarmarEdward and Roberta MartinDwight and Christina McCawleyMr. and Mrs. Jeffrey McCoachMr. Benjamin F. MinickDr. Brian MohrMr. C.J. MooreMr. and Mrs. George MorrisMr. and Mrs. David MoskowitzMr. and Mrs. Gordon MoskowitzKay and Jeremiah O’GradyMr. Shaun O’Malley and Ms. Lyn BuchheitMr. and Mrs. Mario PalumbiDr. and Mrs. William P. Potsic

Mr. Frederic L. PryorMs. Cheryl Gunter and Mr. Paul A. RabeUrsula and Bert RedgraveMr. Philmore Robertson and Ms. Kathryn CaywoodDr. Keith M. RobinsonMr. and Mrs. Daniel R. RossMr. and Mrs. Donald H. SachsDr. Margot SavoyHenry and Yumi ScottDr. and Mrs. Paul ShamanDorothy Alexis SmithMr. James L. SmithMr. and Mrs. Edward L. ThomasKatarzyna & Edward Tobe, Natalie LesseyDr. and Mrs. Rocco P. TrioloMr. and Mrs. Anthony ValeMs. Lynne Van BuskirkMs. Laura Ward and Mr. David NewmannMs. Carol A. WestfallMr. and Mrs. Peter WhatnellMr. Robert YonaitisDr. Sook Hee Lee Yoo and Dr. John Yoo

FR IENDS OF THE OPERA

JOAN GOLDSTEIN, CHAIR

The Friends of the Opera are essential contributors to Opera Philadelphia and enjoy an enhanced connection to the Opera with behind-the-scenes opportunities including backstage tours, dress rehearsal access, and enlightening educational programs.

The signature event of the Friends calendar was the Friends Vocal Recital and Appreciation Reception, which took place at the Curtis Institute of Music and honored the Robert B. Driver Legacy Fund. Other Friends activities included the General Director’s Backstage Tour of the Academy of Music and five Between the Notes lectures offering members an in-depth understanding of each of the Season’s productions.

LEFT: Donna Wechsler, Board Member and Chair of the Patron Program, with actor and American Repertoire Council member David Hyde Pierce.

RIGHT: Stephen Dubiel, Kathy Hanrahan, Aaron Ross, General Director & President David B. Devan, Dorothy Hanrahan, Catherine Haas and Jonathan Arena.

33

ENCORE SOCIETY

Opera Philadelphia is honored to recognize those who have included the Opera in their estate plans with membership in the Encore Society. Planned and deferred gifts help to ensure the advancement of opera in Philadelphia by directly funding the company’s future artistic and educational programming, and Encore Society members ensure that opera will have a bright future in our city. Not only can these gifts provide potential exemptions from Estate, Capital Gains, and/or Income Taxes*, but in making these commitments, members can be comforted in knowing that they will leave lasting legacies that will support the art they care most about. Opera Philadelphia was thrilled to welcome six new members to the Encore Society this season, and we are truly honored to be able to celebrate their extraordinary future commitments with them today.

Encore Members enjoy special benefits throughout the season including invitations to Season Prelude and the annual Encore Society luncheon. This year’s luncheon was held at XIX Restaurant and featured brief financial planning presentation from representatives from Wells Fargo Private Bank as well as a recital from The Magic Flute baritone Mark Stone. To learn more, please visit operaphila.org/encore-society.

*Please consult your financial and/or legal advisors for the legal requirements and tax advantages specific to these gifts.

Anonymous (3) Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin AlexanderMs. Jane A. BerrymanDr. Claire BoasiConstance G. Burton*Dr.* and Mrs. Elaine CassaliaMs. Ginny L. CoyleDr. Kenneth R. CundyMr. and Mrs. Arthur CovelloMs. Virginia del Sordo*Mr. Robert DevoeMs. Harriet Forman*Ms. Sylvia Green*Mrs. Gail HauptfuhrerDr. Mark H. Haller*Mr. Stephen T. JanickMrs. Sheila KesslerDr. and Mrs. Paul KruegerReneé T. Levin

Mr. William A. LoebMrs. Lois MeyersMr. William Reily*Dr. Scott F. RichardMr. Laurence T. Robbins*Morton F. Steelman*Ms. Lee SteinbergDr. and Mrs. Andrew WechslerEster C. Weil*Mrs. Charlotte WattsMr. George P. White*

TOP: Encore Society members Benjamin Alexander and Sheila Kessler with baritone Mark Stone at the Encore Society luncheon. BOTTOM: Baritone Craig Irvin with Leslie Huff and Vice Chairman Frederick Huff. RIGHT: Renee Chenault-Fattah, the Honorable Chaka Fattah and General Director’s Council member Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer.

ENCORE SOCIETY MEMBERS

*Deceased

34

CORPORATE COUNCIL

SEASON SPONSORS

COUNCIL MEMBERSBank of America

Center City Film and Video

Cunningham Piano Company and Factory

Debra Malinics Advertising

Ray Donovan

Dow Chemical Company

Evantine Design

Exeleon Business Services

Fox Rothschild LLP

Kalnin Graphics

the karma agency

Loews Philadelphia Hotel

Macy’s

Menchey Music

Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads, LLP

Moonstruck Restaurant

PNC

Savona Restaurant

Termini Bros. Bakery

Trattoria San Nicola

Varalli Restuarant

Wells Fargo

SOUNDS OF LEARNING™ FUNDERS Alpin J. and Alpin W. Cameron Memorial Fund

Deluxe Corporation Foundation

Eugene Garfield Foundation

GlaxoSmithKline

Hamilton Family Foundation

The Hirsig Family Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation

Lincoln Financial Foundation

Louis N. Cassett Foundation

The McLean Contributionship

Morgan Stanley Foundation

Mutual Fire Foundation*

The Presser Foundation

Wells Fargo Foundation

Universal Health Services*

* Opera Phi ladelphia is especial ly gratefu l to businesses who par t ic ipate in the Commonweal th of Pennsylvania’s Educat ion-al Improvement Tax Credi t (E ITC) program, which grants lucra-t ive tax credi ts to el igible businesses that donate to approved educat ional programs l ike Sounds of Learning™ .

Official Airline

Official Automobile Dealership

Official Hotel

LIKE facebook.com/operaphila

FOLLOW @operaphila on twitter

35

GAL A CELEBR ATES A NEW NAME & NEW OPER ATIC WORK

On Saturday, February 2, Opera Philadelphia hosted N.O.W.: A Gala

Celebration of New Operatic Work at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel.

This dazzling evening celebrated the Pulitzer Prize-winning opera Silent Night

and the American Repertoire Program, Opera Philadelphia’s commitment

to produce an American work in each of ten consecutive seasons, as well

as the numerous groundbreaking initiatives recently launched by the Opera.

The gala’s 250 guests enjoyed a cocktail hour, silent and live auctions, and musical

performances from Opera Philadelphia’s newest operas. The event raised more

than $150,000 for Opera Philadelphia. Credit goes to co-chairs Anderson and

Daria Pew and the Gala Committee whose time, passion, and expertise made it

a celebration to remember. Special thanks to Premier Sponsors Rita and Philip

Harper, Dr. Daniel K. Meyer, and Frederick R. Haas; Contributors Wells Fargo,

Peter A. Benoliel and Willo Carey; and Benefactors Nicholas and Kathleen

Chimicles; the Independence Foundation, and Judy and Peter Leone.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Opera Philadelphia General Director David B. Devan and Silent Night librettist Mark Campbell with Barbara A. Teichert, Production Underwriter for Silent Night, Chairman Daniel K. Meyer, and Silent Night composer Kevin Puts. Peter A. Benoliel and his wife, Board member Willo Carey, with baritone Liam Bonner, who they underwrote in the role of Lt. Audebert in Silent Night. Board member Maria Trafton with her husband, Jack Trafton. General Director David B. Devan, baritone Nathan Gunn, Director of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, N.O.W. Co-Chairs R. Anderson Pew and his wife Daria, actor David Hyde Pierce, member of Opera Philadelphia’s American Repertoire Council, and Opera Philadelphia Chairman Daniel K. Meyer. Sharon Koppelman, Vice Chairman Joel M. Koppelman, with Georgette Ciukurescu and Eliana Papadakis. Photos by Sofia Negron.

LEADERSHIP

DAVID B. DEVAN General Direc tor & P res ident

CORRADO ROVARIS Jack Mulroney Musi c Direc tor

MIKAEL EL IASEN Arti s t i c Advisor

NATHAN GUNN Direc tor, Amer i can Reper to ir e Counci l

GARY H. GANSKY Chie f Financia l Of f i c e r & Senior V ice P res ident

ANNIE BURRIDGE Senior V ice P res ident , Inst i tut ional Advancement

DAVID S. LEVY Senior V ice P res ident , Ar t i s t i c Operat ions

MICHAEL BOLTON V ice P res ident o f Community P rograms

MUSIC

MICHAEL EBERHARD Arti s t i c Adminis t rator

KYLE BARTLETT New Works Adminis t rator

ELIZABETH BRADEN Chorus Master

J . ROBERT LOY Direc tor o f O rches t ra Personnel & Orches t ra Librar ian

COLLEEN HOOD Music Staf f As s i s tant

LEMBIT BEECHER Composer in Res idence

MISSY MAZZOLI Composer in Res idence

ADMINISTRATION

KEN SMITH Ass i s tant to General Direc tor & Board Relat ions Coordinator

MAURICE MARIETTI Personnel Manager

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

CHRISTINA DEEMER Direc tor o f Annual Giving

RYAN LEWIS Direc tor o f Market ing

FRANK LUZI Direc tor o f Communicat ions

LUCY CLEMENS Direc tor o f Audience Ser vice s

ADELE BETZ Direc tor o f Events

JENNIFER DUBIN Assoc iate Direc tor, Annual Fund & Development Ser vice s

DERREN A. MANGUM Manager o f Inst i tut ional Giving

LAUREN ANCONA Manager o f Market ing Technolog y

RACHEL MCCAUSLAND Manager, Resear ch & Spec ia l Gif t s

MICHAEL KNIGHT Ass i s tant Direc tor, Audience Ser vice s and Group Sale s

KEVIN GIFFORD Donor Ser vice s Coordinator

PRODUCTION

ALEXANDER FARINO P roduct ion Manager

DREW BILL IAU Technica l P roduct ion Manager

CHRISTOPHER HANES Technica l Direc tor

MILL IE HI IBEL Costume Direc tor

ELIZABETH LARSEN-SILVA P roduct ion Coordinator

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

ADRIENNE BISHOP Community P rog rams Ass i s tant

FINANCE

MAUREEN MCHALE Senior Accountant

COUNSEL

MONTGOMERY, MCCRACKEN, WALKER & RHOADS LLP General Counse l

FOX, ROTHSCHILD, O’BRIEN & FRANKEL Spec ia l Counse l

O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

37

O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A S TAT E M E N T O F F I N A N C I A L P O S I T I O N M a y 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 , 2 0 1 2 a n d 2 0 1 1

ASSETS 2013 2012 2011CURRENT ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $3,057,851 $3,542,278 $2,815,057

Unconditional promises to give 2,832,304 2,466,146 3,495,721

Prepaid expenses and other 1,107,481 660,110 250,936

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 6,997,636 6,668,534 6,561,714

Investments 151,915 85,597 83,815

Unconditional promises to give 3,536,962 3,538,438 525,574

Beneficial interest in remainder trust 266,531 254,428 242,875

Property and equipment, net 303,542 263,771 302,750

Security deposits 9,080 14,680 7,180

4,268,030 4,156,914 1,162,194

TOTAL ASSETS $11,265,666 $10,825,448 $7,723,908

LIABILITIES & NET ASSETSCURRENT L IABIL IT IES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses $363,467 $332,986 $336,076

Deferred revenue 1,158,606 1,138,350 1,162,475

Note and mortgage payable, current portion 34,630 32,922 31,270

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 1,556,703 1,504,258 1,529,821

NONCURRENT L IABILT IESMortgage payable, net of current portion 132,388 167,018 199,941

1,689,091 1,671,276 1,729,762

NET ASSETSUnrestricted 2,212,435 2,041,494 1,370,117

Temporarily restricted 7,289,158 7,087,696 4,599,047

Permanently restricted 74,982 24,982 24,982

TOTAL NET ASSETS 9,576,575 9,154,172 5,994,146

TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS $11,265,666 $10,825,448

$7,723,908

38

O P E R A P H I L A D E L P H I A S TAT E M E N T O F A C T I V I T I E S Y e a r s e n d M a y 3 1 , 2 0 1 3 , 2 0 1 2 a n d 2 0 1 1

OPERATING REVENUES & SUPPORT 2013 2012 2011Ticket sales $2,492,256 $2,229,436 $2,300,776

Contributions 7,113,679 6,982,276 6,550,684

Special events, net 160,542 147,034 165,836

Other income 105,796 105,992 183,365

Investment return designated for operations 605 (46) 1,981

TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES & SUPPORT 9,872,878 9,464,692 9,202,642

OPERATING EXPENSESProgram services 7,852,552 7,242,652 6,919,280

Management and general 1,084,073 945,403 927,742

Fund-raising 781,430 608,142 602,800

TOTAL EXPENSES 9,718,055 8,796,197 8,449,822

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS 154,823 668,495 752,820

OTHER CHANGESInvestment return, net of amounts designated for operations 16,118 2,882 12,287

CHANGE IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS 170,941 671,377 765,107

UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, BEGINNING 2,041,494 1,370,117 605,010

UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, ENDING $2,212,435 $2,041,494 $1,370,117

P R I VAT E S U P P O R T / 7 0 . 2 %

T I C K E T S A L E S / 2 5 . 2 %

P U B L I C S U P P O R T / 1 . 9 %

S P E C I A L E V E N T S / 1 . 6 %

O T H E R E A R N E D I N C O M E / 1 . 1 %

39

SV

AD

BA

S VA D B A

S VA D B AI T ’ S A B O U T

W H AT ’ S N E X T

“ T h e 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 S e a s o n w i l l h a v e [ s e v e n ] a p p e a l i n g o p e r a s , i n c l u d i n g G o l i j o v ’s A i n a d a m a r a n d R i c k y I a n G o r d o n’s

A C o f f i n i n E g y p t , s t a r r i n g Fr e d e r i c a v o n S t a d e . ”

W Q X R O P E R AV O R E

Our 39th Season offers something for everyone.

A landmark Verdi opera in celebration of the

composer’s 200th birthday; a live HD broadcast

of Opening Night; a Serbian a cappella opera in a

200-seat theater; the Spanish-influenced rhythms

of Ainadamar; the shocking, unforgettable

Dialogues of the Carmelites; some classic Mozart;

an operatic mashup with The Philadelphia

Orchestra; and the East Coast Premiere of a new

opera by one of today’s hottest composers. Join us

this season and see what the fuss is all about!

N A B U C C O SEPT. 27–OCT. 6 , 2013

S VA D B A NOV. 2–7, 2013

A I N A D A M A R FEB. 7–16, 2014

D O N G I O VA N N I APR. 25–MAY 4, 2014

D I A L O G U E S O F T H E C A R M E L I T E S MAR. 5–9, 2014

S A L O M E MAY 8 & 10, 2014

A C O F F I N I N E G Y P T JUN. 6–15, 2014

“ T his is th e w ay op er a should be presen ted. Great tradition is respected, while innovation is encouraged, so the art form remains relevant. Opera in Philadelphia is all grown up now.”


2 0 1 3 – 2 0 1 4 S E A S O N

A C A D E M Y H O U S E

1 4 2 0 L O C U S T S T R E E T

S U I T E 2 1 0

P H I L A , PA

1 9 1 0 2

O P E R A P H I L A . O R G

2 1 5 . 8 9 3 . 3 6 0 0

Documents

Opera Philadelphia 2012-2013 Annual Report