Central City Opera is the fifth-oldest opera company in the United States, founded in 1932 by Julie Penrose and Anne Evans.[1] Each festival is presented in the 550-seat historic Central City Opera House built in 1878 in the gold mining era town of Central City, Colorado.[2] Pelham G. Pearce was selected in 1996 as Managing Director for Central City Opera, and he was named General/Artistic Director in May 1998, when John Moriarty became Artistic Director Emeritus.[3] Since 2006 John Baril is the first Music director of the opera.[4]
Most recent six-week summer festivals have included both traditional and progressive works. About forty performances, including those specifically for young people, are presented each season. 2007 marked the 75th anniversary of the company and a single-season move from 3 to 4 opera productions. "Short Works" (selected ten-minute opera scenes), selected one-acts, and "Lunch & a Song" (solo luncheon performances) are produced alongside the main opera season by assistant directors and apprentice singers as part of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program.
- ^ Will Keyse, El Pomar Celebrates the 150th Birthday of Julie Penrose with Inaugural Annual Award, El Pomar. Retrieved 10 February 2021
- ^ Zietz, Karyl Lynn (1995). "Central City Opera". Opera Companies and Houses of the United States: A Comprehensive, Illustrated Reference. McFarland & Company. p. 37. ISBN 9780899509556.
- ^ Erin Di Paolo, Once There Was Gold, Now There′s Operatic Talent in the Hills Of Colorado's Central City, Colorado Magazine, 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2021
- ^ Ben Mattison, Central City Opera Names Music Director, Playbill, 8 January 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2021