Three Corporations and Two Individuals to be Honored for Distinguished Service at Opera Conference 2006 along with Three Opera Companies for Advancing Opera in their Communities

OPERA America, the national service organization for opera, announces winners of the 2006 Bravo! Awards. Awarded annually, these honors recognize opera companies that build community awareness of opera via innovative projects, media organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to promoting opera, and corporations that strengthen the field of opera through corporate philanthropy. Awards are also presented to outstanding educators and artists. Nominations for the awards were accepted from Professional Company Members of OPERA America, with winners chosen by an independent panel. Awards will be presented at the Bravo! Awards Breakfast on May 7 at Opera Conference 2006 in Seattle.

Marc A. Scorca, President and CEO of OPERA America stated, “The Bravo! honorees have all done exceptional work to promote understanding and appreciation of opera in their communities, demonstrating that opera in the 21 st century is a vital part of our contemporary culture. In opera today, the wide-spread use of projected titles, increased numbers of new operas, and reinterpretations of traditional works all make the opera-going experience an engaging theatrical experience for all audiences.”

2006 Award Recipients

Success Awards: for innovative audience development activities

• Nashville Opera
• Cincinnati Opera

Diversity Award: for expanding service to diverse communities

• Opera Company of Philadelphia

Spotlight on Opera Award: for outstanding media coverage of opera

• The Standard-Times of New Bedford, Massachusetts, nominated by Boston Lyric Opera

Business of the Year Awards: for exceptional support of opera

• Frontier Airlines, nominated by Opera Colorado
• Hospital Corporation of America, nominated by Nashville Opera

Educator of the Year Award: for outstanding efforts to bring opera to K-12 students

• Barbara Roddy, nominated by Opera Theatre of St. Louis

Artist Advocate Award: for acting as a spokesperson and advocate for opera in a community

• Amy Burton, nominated by Glimmerglass Opera

Judges for the 2006 Bravo! Awards were Greg McCaslin, Director of Programs for the Center for Arts Education, Joanne Cossa, Executive Director of the American Music Center, and Deborah Steinglass, Director of Development for Creative Arts Team, City University of New York.

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