Toledo Opera: Difference between revisions
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In 1986 conductor [[James Meena]] became the company's new permanent director.<ref name="Meena"/> In 1994 a major financial boon was given to the company by Toledo philanthropists Theodore and Lucille Gorski who gave a 1 million dollar challenge grant to the company which enabled them to establish an endowment for the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dUExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6111,4617853&dq=valentine-theatre+toledo-opera&hl=en|title=Grant Hits A Major High Note|author=Willa J. Conrad|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=September 17, 1994}}</ref> That same year the company played a major role in supporting the renovation of the historic [[Valentine Theatre]] in Toledo, a decision which saved the theater from demolition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cxQVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5912,1391794&dq=valentine-theatre+toledo-opera&hl=en|title=Theatre Funding Released By State: Valentine work can move ahead|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|author=Joe Hallett|date=April 6, 1994}}</ref> The renovations of the theater took several years, and Toledo Opera could not move into its new permanent home until 1999. The company had the honor of opening the newly renovated theater for Toledo Opera's 40th Season gala night on October 22, 1999 with a production of [[Giacomo Puccini]]'s ''[[Tosca]]'', featuring [[Diana Soviero]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HT4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6297,2709570&dq=tosca+toledo+diana+soviero&hl=en|title=Opera Revives Beloved Valentine|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 23, 1999}}</ref> |
In 1986 conductor [[James Meena]] became the company's new permanent director.<ref name="Meena"/> In 1994 a major financial boon was given to the company by Toledo philanthropists Theodore and Lucille Gorski who gave a 1 million dollar challenge grant to the company which enabled them to establish an endowment for the organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dUExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6111,4617853&dq=valentine-theatre+toledo-opera&hl=en|title=Grant Hits A Major High Note|author=Willa J. Conrad|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=September 17, 1994}}</ref> That same year the company played a major role in supporting the renovation of the historic [[Valentine Theatre]] in Toledo, a decision which saved the theater from demolition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cxQVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5912,1391794&dq=valentine-theatre+toledo-opera&hl=en|title=Theatre Funding Released By State: Valentine work can move ahead|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|author=Joe Hallett|date=April 6, 1994}}</ref> The renovations of the theater took several years, and Toledo Opera could not move into its new permanent home until 1999. The company had the honor of opening the newly renovated theater for Toledo Opera's 40th Season gala night on October 22, 1999 with a production of [[Giacomo Puccini]]'s ''[[Tosca]]'', featuring [[Diana Soviero]] in the title role.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HT4xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6297,2709570&dq=tosca+toledo+diana+soviero&hl=en|title=Opera Revives Beloved Valentine|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=October 23, 1999}}</ref> |
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In 2000 [[Renay Conlin]] succeeded Meena as the director of Toledo Opera after he left to become director of [[Opera Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5A0wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=twMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2124,1735437&dq=renay-conlin+toledo-opera&hl=en|author=Steven Cornelius|title=Director For Opera Named: Renay Conlin Was Cultural Commissioner Of West Virginia|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=July 20, 2000}}</ref> Her husband, [[Thomas Conlin]], is a [[Grammy Award]] winning conductor who conducted several operas for Toledo Opera during his wife's tenure.<ref>"Grammy-winning conductor chooses Opera Idaho"|work=''[[The Idaho Statesman]]'', November 9, 2001</ref><ref>"Toledo Opera: Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte", ''[[American Record Guide]]'', July 1, 2003< |
In 2000 [[Renay Conlin]] succeeded Meena as the director of Toledo Opera after he left to become director of [[Opera Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5A0wAAAAIBAJ&sjid=twMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2124,1735437&dq=renay-conlin+toledo-opera&hl=en|author=Steven Cornelius|title=Director For Opera Named: Renay Conlin Was Cultural Commissioner Of West Virginia|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=July 20, 2000}}</ref> Her husband, [[Thomas Conlin]], is a [[Grammy Award]] winning conductor who conducted several operas for Toledo Opera during his wife's tenure.<ref>"Grammy-winning conductor chooses Opera Idaho"|work=''[[The Idaho Statesman]]'', November 9, 2001</ref><ref>"Toledo Opera: Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte", ''[[American Record Guide]]'', July 1, 2003< |
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Under Conlin's leadership, Toledo Opera was received on a regular basis by Opera News, Opera (UK) and American Record Guide. The company was recognized as one of the best smaller regional opera companies in the United States. Unlike many opera companies around the country, Toledo Opera consistently programmed 20th century operas. Ms. Conlin was able to attract some of the most exciting young singers on the operatic stage owing to the company's outstanding reputation. |
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In March of 2011, Conlin suddenly resigned from Toledo Opera, to take a position as CEO of the [[Napa Valley Museum]] in California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2011/03/02/General-director-to-take-post-in-Napa-Valley.html|author=Rod Lockwood and Sally Vallongo|title=General director of Toledo Opera to take post in Napa Valley|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=March 1, 2011}}</ref> Her departure followed the mass resignation of members of the Toledo Opera board's financial committee (including the Gorskis, see above), who alleged that the company had "serious problems with cash-flow shortages" and had "earned a reputation in the community for not paying its bills."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2011/03/06/Poorly-managed.html|author=Rod Lockwood and Sally Vallongo|title=Conlin's sudden resignation latest twist in opera turmoil|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=March 5, 2011}}</ref> |
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Within a few weeks, the Opera's board of directors appointed a former development director, [[Suzanne Rorick]], as Toledo Opera's new Executive Director. Under Rorick's leadership, the company has focused on fundraising to pay off existing debt, and has undergone an artistic re-organization that saw the return of several former Toledo Opera colleagues, including [[James Meena]], who will conduct the opening opera of the 2011-2012 season, [[Verdi]]'s ''[[La traviata]]''. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Music-Theater-Dance/2011/06/19/Toledo-Opera-Act-II.html|author=Sally Vallongo|title=Toledo Opera, Act II: ‘Scrappy little team’ starts moving company forward|work=[[Toledo Blade]]|date=June 19, 2011}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 23:40, 10 September 2011
The Toledo Opera is an American opera company based in Toledo, Ohio. Founded in 1959, the company's first General Director was Lester Freedman with conductor Joseph Hawthorne of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra serving as Music Director.[1] In 1960 Freedman founded the Dayton Opera and for many years he led the two organizations simultaneously - an arrangement which cut down on production costs for both companies.[2] In 1983 Freedman was forced out of his position by the Toledo Opera's board after several years of financial problems and in-fighting among the company's leadership. Several interim directors kept the company going over the next three years, including David Bamberger[3] and Johan van der Merwe.[4]
In 1986 conductor James Meena became the company's new permanent director.[4] In 1994 a major financial boon was given to the company by Toledo philanthropists Theodore and Lucille Gorski who gave a 1 million dollar challenge grant to the company which enabled them to establish an endowment for the organization.[5] That same year the company played a major role in supporting the renovation of the historic Valentine Theatre in Toledo, a decision which saved the theater from demolition.[6] The renovations of the theater took several years, and Toledo Opera could not move into its new permanent home until 1999. The company had the honor of opening the newly renovated theater for Toledo Opera's 40th Season gala night on October 22, 1999 with a production of Giacomo Puccini's Tosca, featuring Diana Soviero in the title role.[7]
In 2000 Renay Conlin succeeded Meena as the director of Toledo Opera after he left to become director of Opera Carolina.[8] Her husband, Thomas Conlin, is a Grammy Award winning conductor who conducted several operas for Toledo Opera during his wife's tenure.[9]<ref>"Toledo Opera: Mozart Cosi Fan Tutte", American Record Guide, July 1, 2003<
Under Conlin's leadership, Toledo Opera was received on a regular basis by Opera News, Opera (UK) and American Record Guide. The company was recognized as one of the best smaller regional opera companies in the United States. Unlike many opera companies around the country, Toledo Opera consistently programmed 20th century operas. Ms. Conlin was able to attract some of the most exciting young singers on the operatic stage owing to the company's outstanding reputation.
References
- ^ Prudy White (May 5, 1968). "Toledo Opera Success Story Leads To First Fund Drive". Toledo Blade.
- ^ William Ferguson (April 17, 1981). "Toledo's Mr. Opera In 2-city Deficits Row". Toledo Blade.
- ^ "Halt To Poorhouse: Toledo Opera Group Introduces Referrals", Toledo Blade, May 7, 1984
- ^ a b "Meena Gets Toledo Opera Post". The Pittsburgh Press. June 16, 1986.
- ^ Willa J. Conrad (September 17, 1994). "Grant Hits A Major High Note". Toledo Blade.
- ^ Joe Hallett (April 6, 1994). "Theatre Funding Released By State: Valentine work can move ahead". Toledo Blade.
- ^ "Opera Revives Beloved Valentine". Toledo Blade. October 23, 1999.
- ^ Steven Cornelius (July 20, 2000). "Director For Opera Named: Renay Conlin Was Cultural Commissioner Of West Virginia". Toledo Blade.
- ^ "Grammy-winning conductor chooses Opera Idaho"|work=The Idaho Statesman, November 9, 2001