Michigan Opera Theatre's Detroit Opera House Adds DiChiera Name

The DiChiera Grand Salute, Michigan Opera Theatre's festive celebration honoring its retiring founder and artistic director David DiChiera, was a night full of highlights May 19.

Chief among them was the announcement by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan that the Detroit Opera House is adding a permanent new designation: The David DiChiera Center for the Performing Arts. The theatre will continue to officially operate under the Detroit Opera House name.

"With the designation of the DiChiera name on the Detroit Opera House, we salute in perpetuity David's invaluable role to Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Opera House," said MOT President and CEO Wayne S. Brown. "David has been a tremendous force for both arts and culture, and for the city of Detroit. We're proud to honor his legacy in such a public and lasting way."

The Grand Salute, which featured numerous artists who have worked with DiChiera over the years, paid tribute to his nearly half century leadership of the company and his strong national and local advocacy for the arts. It also included performances from renowned singers Christine Goerke and Denyce Graves, as well as American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Veronika Part.

Cadillac was Premiere Sponsor of the event. Co-chairs for the evening were Pernilla and Daniel Ammann, Gretchen and Ethan Davidson, Jennifer and David Fischer, Mona and Matthew Simoncini and Karen and R. Jamison Williams.

"For nearly 50 years, David has worked tirelessly to build, grow and maintain an opera company in Detroit," said MOT Chairman Rick Williams. "No matter what we might have done to honor David, it couldn't have been too much. We're excited to honor his legacy and we are immensely grateful for the outpouring of support for the future of MOT."

The Grand Salute raised more than $1.9 million which will bring the total raised to date for MOT's "Path to a Bold Future" capital campaign to more than $20 million in leadership gifts. The campaign has a goal of $50 million and will invest in exceptional artistic experiences, broad-based community initiatives, enhanced institutional efficiencies, and facilities improvement.

"This campaign will ensure that David's and the Board's ambitious vision for MOT is carried out for many years to come," said Williams. "Our commitment to the future of the company David built is unwavering."

The Grand Salute also served as the occasion to unveil a new recording of chamber works by DiChiera titled "Letters and Fantasies." The recording is available through MOT offices.

Highlights of the Grand Salute, including select performances and presentations, will be aired on Detroit Public Television on June 30 at 9 p.m.

Michigan Opera Theatre (Wayne S. Brown, President and CEO; Dr. David DiChiera, Founder and Artistic Director, and Stephen Lord, Principal Conductor), one of the nation's most vibrant nonprofit arts organizations, is committed to presenting opera and dance of the highest artistic caliber. Founded in 1971, the company's mission is to serve as a major cultural resource to the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit. Visit the website at www.michiganopera.org.

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