Our Mission
Providing the opera experience for existing audiences and developing new audiences for opera, while furthering the appreciation of opera and providing the opportunity to develop promising artists in the West Texas area.
Providing the opera experience for existing audiences and developing new audiences for opera, while furthering the appreciation of opera and providing the opportunity to develop promising artists in the West Texas area.
Our History
Abilene Opera Association (AOA) was founded in August 1980 by local professional vocalists and opera aficionados. Within our first year of operation, AOA sponsored a workshop for local artists and students premiering the modern fable STARBIRD. Professionals and local talent did succeed in a full stage production of the Pietro Mascagni’s one-act opera, Cavalleria Rusticana. In our second year, the AOA successfully continued our educational outreach and expanded their
capacity to perform Georges Bizet four-act opera, Carmen.
Over the next (nearly) thirty years, many of the most beloved operas have been performed including La Bohéme, Don Giovanni, La Traviata, The Magic
Flute, and more. AOA also has history of introducing newer operas, including the 2013 Texas premier of Hotel Casablanca by renowned American composer Thomas Pasatieri.
Abilene Opera Association has two consistent goals 1) to promote opera appreciation in West Texas by locally producing professional caliber grand opera, and 2)to foster local talent utilizing our professional means. This is achieved through a volunteer board and countless volunteers.
Abilene Opera Association (AOA) was founded in August 1980 by local professional vocalists and opera aficionados. Within our first year of operation, AOA sponsored a workshop for local artists and students premiering the modern fable STARBIRD. Professionals and local talent did succeed in a full stage production of the Pietro Mascagni’s one-act opera, Cavalleria Rusticana. In our second year, the AOA successfully continued our educational outreach and expanded their
capacity to perform Georges Bizet four-act opera, Carmen.
Over the next (nearly) thirty years, many of the most beloved operas have been performed including La Bohéme, Don Giovanni, La Traviata, The Magic
Flute, and more. AOA also has history of introducing newer operas, including the 2013 Texas premier of Hotel Casablanca by renowned American composer Thomas Pasatieri.
Abilene Opera Association has two consistent goals 1) to promote opera appreciation in West Texas by locally producing professional caliber grand opera, and 2)to foster local talent utilizing our professional means. This is achieved through a volunteer board and countless volunteers.
Abilene Opera Association Makes the Impact
Three programs make-up the work of the Abilene Opera Association:
• Live Opera Performances – Annual or biennial performances provide opportunities and a home base for professional growth of local and area artists, including vocalists, orchestra instrumentalists and chorus members. Casts include local, national and internationally acclaimed opera performers, a professional live orchestra, professional direction, beautiful costumes, elaborate sets and effective lighting. Each opera title typically draws an audience of 1,000.
• Master Classes/Educational Outreach - the cultural education of young people (K-12, college students, and other young aspiring artists), particularly through free of charge, Master Classes and Productions in our local schools. The classes are conducted by distinguished principals performing in the current opera, which provides a rare and needed opportunity to promote growth by professionals in the field of opera. Our school productions are done through our association with the 3 local music departments at ACU, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry Universities.
• Ticket Outreach for Opera (TOO) - To assure that the "wonderful world of opera experience" will be widely available; AOA outreach efforts include providing free tickets and reduced price tickets to diverse groups to introduce professional-grade opera or remove the barrier for attending a production. Numbers of tickets given vary from production to production.
Three programs make-up the work of the Abilene Opera Association:
• Live Opera Performances – Annual or biennial performances provide opportunities and a home base for professional growth of local and area artists, including vocalists, orchestra instrumentalists and chorus members. Casts include local, national and internationally acclaimed opera performers, a professional live orchestra, professional direction, beautiful costumes, elaborate sets and effective lighting. Each opera title typically draws an audience of 1,000.
• Master Classes/Educational Outreach - the cultural education of young people (K-12, college students, and other young aspiring artists), particularly through free of charge, Master Classes and Productions in our local schools. The classes are conducted by distinguished principals performing in the current opera, which provides a rare and needed opportunity to promote growth by professionals in the field of opera. Our school productions are done through our association with the 3 local music departments at ACU, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry Universities.
• Ticket Outreach for Opera (TOO) - To assure that the "wonderful world of opera experience" will be widely available; AOA outreach efforts include providing free tickets and reduced price tickets to diverse groups to introduce professional-grade opera or remove the barrier for attending a production. Numbers of tickets given vary from production to production.
Our Sources of Support
82% of AOA’s annual budget comes from contributions, including membership and event underwriting. Our budget is small and varies based on the production and opportunities for outreach. Ideally, our budget is $119,000 with 15% of the revenue coming from ticket and event sales.
AOA is eligible to receive donor advised funds through the Community Foundation of Abilene and is grateful to the kind establishment and opportunity for endowment gifts within the Catherine M. (Kitty) and Joseph Chaffin Benson Memorial Fund for the Abilene Opera Association.
82% of AOA’s annual budget comes from contributions, including membership and event underwriting. Our budget is small and varies based on the production and opportunities for outreach. Ideally, our budget is $119,000 with 15% of the revenue coming from ticket and event sales.
AOA is eligible to receive donor advised funds through the Community Foundation of Abilene and is grateful to the kind establishment and opportunity for endowment gifts within the Catherine M. (Kitty) and Joseph Chaffin Benson Memorial Fund for the Abilene Opera Association.