Opera Saratoga's 2017 Fiscal Year Closes With National Acclaim For Artistic Programs

At Opera Saratoga's Annual Meeting, Rosemarie Rosen, President of the Board of Directors, announced results from the company's 2017 fiscal year, which closed on September 30, 2017. The company reported another year of artistic and financial success thanks to the generosity, engagement and partnership of communities throughout the lower Adirondack and the New York State Capital Region.

Opera Saratoga exceeded its annual budget for both fundraising and ticket sales in FY17, building on the strategic initiatives launched by Artistic and General Director Lawrence Edelson, when he joined the company three seasons ago. Record ticket sales resulted in multiple sold out performances.

A highlight of FY17 was special project funding received by Opera Saratoga to enable the company to record its critically acclaimed production of Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock in July under Maestro John Mauceri. This project was made possible with generous support from The Kurt Weill Foundation, Stephen E. Davis, one of Blitzstein's nephews, and Marcia Miller in memory of Thomas Damien Reilly. Mr. Edelson reported that members of the Blitzstein family attended the historic performances, which used the composer's original orchestration for the first time anywhere in the world in over 50 years.

Total revenue in FY17 was $1.437 Million, with expenses of $1.389 Million, resulting in a surplus of just under $48,000. A portion of this surplus is restricted to program activity in FY18, while a portion of the surplus was applied to the company's previously accumulated debt, thereby further strengthening Opera Saratoga's financial position. Over the past three years, Opera Saratoga has seen an increase in ticket sales revenue of 62%, and a remarkable increase of 252% in individual support. Additional increases have been seen in all revenue areas, including foundation, corporate, and government support.

Edelson attributes these accomplishments to a combination of factors, including an increased investment in artistic quality, year-round programming, community engagement, and the dedication and commitment of the company's Board of Directors and other philanthropic leaders in the community. As a result, the company has seen three consecutive years in the black under Edelson's leadership, and the company has been able to reduce its accumulated deficit significantly. Complete details will be announced when the company publishes its annual audited financial statements in the spring.

With the close of Opera Saratoga's 2017 fiscal year, Opera Saratoga's Board President, Rosemarie Rosen, announced that Lawrence Edelson has accepted an extension of his contract as Artistic and General Director through the 2019 season, while also taking on new responsibilities with Saratoga Performing Arts Center as Creative Producer for Classical and Dance Programming. Edelson also continues in his position as Producing Artistic Director of American Lyric Theater in New York City.

Lawrence Edelson has brought increased national attention to Opera Saratoga over the past three seasons, resulting not only in increased attendance and community investment, but also recognition in national and international press. His achievements have included producing the world premiere of The Long Walk by Jeremy Howard Beck and Stephanie Fleischmann; the American premiere of The Witches of Venice by Philip Glass and Beni Montresor; and the 80th Anniversary Production of Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, which he also directed and choreographed. He has brought a diverse slate of internationally acclaimed artists to Saratoga Springs, including director/choreographer Karole Armitage, director David Schweizer, conductor John Mauceri, designer Mimi Lien, and an incredible variety of singers from the world's greatest opera houses including Jennifer Johnson Cano and Craig Colclough. At the same time, Edelson has also deepened the company's commitment to the mentorship of emerging operatic artists. Under the leadership of Young Artist Program Director Laurie Rogers, the company's internationally renowned apprenticeship initiative has doubled in size over the past three years, and now features professional development opportunities for not only gifted singers, but also pianist/coaches, conductors, and directors. Alumni of the program regularly perform on the great stages of the world.

Over the past three seasons, the company has also launched a series of programs to increase accessibility to opera and classical vocal programs for audiences of all ages throughout the year. The Saratoga Sings! initiative provides free performance events in locations unique to the region, which have ranged from an outdoor production of Schubert's Wintereisse on the snowy trails of Spa State Park - to a series of art-themed concerts presented at area museums and galleries; and Saratoga Sings for Seniors provides free performances for older members of the community in senior centers, assisted living facilities, and memory centers. The company has also deepened its commitment to its Opera-to-Go program in schools, providing access to live opera performances for over 15,000 elementary school children each year.

"Four years ago, Opera Saratoga set upon a new strategic direction by hiring Lawrence Edelson, and the 2016-17 season was a remarkable testament to the progress we have made, thanks not only to Larry's leadership, but also to the remarkable and generous support of so many individuals and organizations dedicated to ensuring that Opera Saratoga is a vibrant part of our community. We look forward to continue working with Larry to build upon these successes, and we are very excited to see where his artistic vision leads the company in the coming seasons," said the Chairman of the Board Robert C. Miller.

Opera Saratoga's success in 2017 was driven by the strength of the company's artistic programming. During the 2017 Summer Festival, Opera Saratoga presented Verdi and Boito's Falstaff, a masterpiece of the standard repertoire; the company premiere of Grétry and Marmontel's Zémire et Azor (Beauty and the Beast), featuring extraordinary puppetry by director James Ortiz; and the first major production of Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock to use the composer's original orchestration in over 50 years. All three productions received critical acclaim both locally and nationally - with journalists traveling from The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Opera News, Huffington Post.

"I am incredibly grateful to the entire Opera Saratoga family for making our 2016-17 season such a success. The type of work we are doing is not possible without deep commitment from the board, staff, artists, donors, and volunteers," stated Mr. Edelson. "Only with the dedication of so many people are we able to serve our community, and to ensure that world-class opera remains an integral part of the arts in our region."

Opera Saratoga begins the new year with three new key members of its leadership team: Charla Jeanne Lawson as Company Manager; Jonathan Blalock as Development and Patron Services Manager; and Rob Signom IIIas Production Manager. They join Mariah Wakefield, Marketing and Community Partnerships Manager, in supporting Opera Saratoga's increasingly diverse programs.

Community programs began this past fall with the return of Saratoga Sings for Seniors. The Saratoga Sings! free concerts continue through the spring, with special events including Saratoga Sings for the Win at the National Racing Museum and Hall of Fame on March 24; and Saratoga Sings of Art and Inspiration at The Hyde Collection on April 29 and The Albany Institute of History and Art on May 3. The company's Opera-to-Go program in-schools will once again reach over 15,000 elementary school children in 7 counties across the region. This year, Opera Saratoga tours a new production of The Ugly Duckling, and opera based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale that explores the important themes of diversity and tolerance. In addition to 50 in-school performances, the company will present a series of free public performances at libraries, museums and community centers between February 26 and March 30.

The 2018 Summer Festival opens with the annual Stars of Tomorrow Concerton May 26. Additional free and ticketed concerts are offered through mid-July, including A Bernstein Birthday Celebration on June 10; Refugee Voices on June 16; and Vienna, City of My Dreams on July 12. The company's annual gala, Opera on The Lake, will once again take place at The Lake George Club, on Sunday June 3. Four operas will be featured as part of the Festival: The Merry Widow (Lehár/Léon&Stein), the world's most beloved operetta, opens June 29, continuing the company's Opera-in-Motion initiative that features works that prominently include dance; a double-bill including the world premiere of a new chamber version of an off-the-wall comedy about competition, Vinkensport, or The Finch Opera (Little/Vavrek), and the American Premiere of Rocking Horse Winner (Williams/Chatterton) the first opera to bring horse racing to Opera Saratoga's stage, opens June 30; and

The Consul (Menotti), a political thriller that originally premiered on Broadway and won the Pulitzer Prize, opens July 7. Subscriptions are currently on sale, with single tickets going on sale February 15. Complete casting is available online, and tickets can be purchased at www.operasaratoga.org or by calling 518.584.6018.

Opera Saratoga, formerly known as Lake George Opera, began with a production of Die Fledermaus at the Diamond Point Theatre on July 5, 1962, playing to an audience of 230. The Company now calls Saratoga Springs home and performs for more than 25,000 people annually. Opera Saratoga serves the communities of Saratoga Springs, the Lower Adirondack and New York State Capital areas by providing access to world-class opera through the production of an annual Summer Festival, as well as year-round activities including extensive educational programs, mentorship of emerging operatic artists, and unique opportunities for the public to experience opera in both our home theater and non-traditional venues that leverage and embrace the unique cultural, historic, and natural resources of the area. To date, the Company has performed over 90 different fully-staged works by over 50 different composers, including thirty-three works by American composers and six world-premiere productions. In 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Lawrence Edelson Opera Saratoga's Artistic and General Director. Edelson's leadership marked a new chapter in the company's history, with increased emphasis on community partnerships throughout the year, diversification of the company's repertoire, and a reaffirmed commitment to both the presentation of American opera and the mentorship of emerging artists as core activities in the company's programs each season. The 2018 Summer Festival marks the fourth season under his leadership. For more information, visit www.operasaratoga.org

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