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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ICO Receives $10,000 Challenge Grant
Alameda-based opera company receives challenge grant in support of 2016 Season
ALAMEDA, Calif.—May 31, 2015— The Perforce Foundation, the Weeman Family Fund and Rafael Ortiz joined forces to award a $10,000 Challenge Grant to Island City Opera in support of their 2016 Season General Fund. The award matches individual contributions of over $500 to ICO’s Anchor Society Fund and provides a bonus for achieving the $50,000 2016 Season General Fund target.
“We are very grateful to Chris, Ken and Rafael for their wonderful support of our efforts to present affordable, accessible, and, high quality opera in the intimate, turn-of-the-century setting of the Elks Lodge Ballroom in Alameda,” said Eileen Meredith, Executive Director. “Performing at the Elks Lodge Ballroom moves opera closer to seasoned opera-goers and more accessible for those who may be curious, but, a bit intimidated by opera.”
During their inaugural 2015 Season, Island City Opera produced Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Puccini’s Il Tabarro and Rossini’s Il Signor Bruschino. “These three works presented wonderfully talented, emerging artists with a variety of opportunities as instrumentalists, singers, carpenters, costumers, directors and staff. Our company included high school students, college students and recent grads as well as many experienced opera professionals from San Francisco Opera and Opera San Jose. It’s a great learning experience for younger members and an opportunity for emerging artists to master new roles and new music”, said co-founder Ellen St. Thomas.
“We know that this financial step forward comes with a challenge; to raise the funds required to achieve a higher quality of performance in 2016. I’m sure our supportive community of patrons and volunteers will respond enthusiastically,” added Susan Dunn, Director of Development.
About Island City Opera
Island City Opera (ICO) was founded by Eileen Meredith, Ellen St. Thomas, Sigmund Seigel, Susan Dunn and Robert Boyd; Alameda residents, singers and opera enthusiasts who want to make Alameda the home of wonderful performances. ICO is the offspring of Virago Theatre Company, which produced, over a period of 10 years, such classic works as ll Trovatore, Don Giovanni, Madama Butterfly, and, Candide to name a few. For more information, visit www.islandcityopera.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]