OPERA America Dedicates Marc A. Scorca Hall

OPERA America's Audition Recital Hall, the physical and metaphorical heart of the National Opera Center, has been named in honor of Marc A. Scorca in celebration of his 25th anniversary at the helm of the organization.

Marc A. Scorca Hall was officially dedicated on Saturday, February 28 with an evening of tributes and performances that exemplified Scorca's significant impact on the opera field. The event was hosted by Evans Mirageas, the Harry T. Wilks artistic director of Cincinnati Opera, and featured remarks from Frayda B. Lindemann, Ph.D., chairman of OPERA America's board of directors; and Charles MacKay, general director of The Santa Fe Opera.

During the dedication ceremony, legendary mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, a longtime friend of Scorca, performed a range of operatic and musical theater works. "I am so honored to be the first to perform in Marc A. Scorca Hall!" she declared before her performance.

The dedication ceremony also featured a moving video tribute to Scorca's career. The video may be viewed on OPERA America's YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/3yw_Qbyhapk.

Of the dedication, Charles MacKay said, "We are saluting a much-beloved friend - someone who is the exemplar when it comes to the exceptional leader. He is someone who goes before us leading the way, who guides and informs us, who inspires us to do the very best that we can, and who demonstrates that there are incredible rewards ahead if we just keep the faith. So, it is fitting that we dedicate this wonderful space in tribute to his matchless service to OPERA America for the last 25 years, and we do so with huge admiration and gratitude."

The naming of Marc A. Scorca Hall was made possible by a $2 million honorary campaign led by board members, colleagues and friends. For a list of the leaders of and contributors to the campaign, please see below.

Following the dedication ceremony and dinner, friends and colleagues assembled in Marc A. Scorca Hall for a cabaret performance. Reflecting OPERA America's history under Marc A. Scorca of supporting the creation and enjoyment of new opera works, the cabaret featured a new song ("Raise a Glass") written in honor of the occasion by Paola Prestini and Mark Campbell. The cabaret also featured a performance of "You Need Song" by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, which was part of the OPERA America Songbook. Consisting of 47 pieces, the Songbook was commissioned by OPERA America in 2012 to mark the opening of the National Opera Center.

Since Scorca joined OPERA America in 1990, the organization's scope has increased dramatically, both in leading and serving the art form. OPERA America's membership has grown from 120 opera companies to nearly 2,500 organizations and individuals. The organization has also administered two landmark funding initiatives in support of North American operas and opera audiences, and launched an endowment in 2000 to create a permanent fund dedicated to supporting new works and related audience development activities. In 2005, Scorca spearheaded OPERA America's relocation from Washington, D.C. to New York City and the subsequent construction of the National Opera Center, which opened in 2012. He has led strategic planning retreats for opera companies and other cultural institutions internationally, and has participated on panels for federal, state and local funding agencies, as well as for numerous private organizations. Scorca also played an instrumental role in the founding of Opera.ca and Opera Europa, OPERA America's sister organizations.

A strong advocate of collaboration, Scorca has led several major cross-disciplinary projects, including the Performing Arts Research Coalition, the National Music Leadership Coalition and the National Performing Arts Convention (2004 and 2008). He has served as a member of the U.S. delegation to UNESCO and currently serves as an officer of the Performing Arts Alliance, a member of the Board of Overseers of the Curtis Institute of Music and on the Music Advisory Board of Hunter College (CUNY). Due in large part to Scorca's contributions to the organization, OPERA America was inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Scorca attended Amherst College, where he graduated with high honors in both history and music.

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