Jane Mudge Appointed President of San Francisco Opera Guild

At San Francisco Opera Guild's Annual Meeting on November 8, 2016, Jane Mudge was selected to be its new President. A San Francisco business owner and nonprofit fundraiser for various Bay Area arts and education institutions, Jane Mudge succeeded Charlot D. Malin in the role and will serve as President of the Opera Guild for two years. As one of her first acts as President, she announced Courtney Labe and Maryam Muduroglu as the co-chairs for Opera Ball 2017, the Guild's annual fundraising gala that launches the San Francisco Opera season.

At a recent champagne reception in the War Memorial Opera House, Jane Mudge invited San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti to be the honoree at Opera Ball 2017 on Friday, September 8. "In light of the countless, unforgettable performances you have conducted here in San Francisco and for your spectacular commitment to this Company, it would be our greatest pleasure to celebrate your achievements and welcome you and your lovely wife, Rita Simonini, as the guests of honor at this year's Opera Ball." Joining the new Opera Guild President in this invitation were former San Francisco Opera Guild Presidents Charlot D. Malin and Karen Kubin, Opera Ball 2017 co-chairs Courtney Labe and Maryam Muduroglu and Opera Guild Managing Director Susan Malott.

"I accept with humble and deepest appreciation," said Luisotti. "I am very proud of the work we have accomplished during my time with San Francisco Opera. As I will step down from the post of Music Director at the end of the 2017-18 Season, this will certainly be a very emotional year for me. To be acknowledged by the Opera Guild at so prestigious an affair as Opera Ball is a great and touching honor. My wife, Rita, and I both thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Opera Ball, one of the premier philanthropic evenings on the West Coast, opens the 2017-18 Season on September 8, 2017. Further details, including the opening night opera and complete schedule and casting for San Francisco Opera's 95th season, will be announced at a press conference on Tuesday, January 17.

Founded in 1939, San Francisco Opera Guild supports San Francisco Opera through a variety of initiatives, including award-winning K-12 education programs and community outreach. Each year, San Francisco Opera Guild's fundraising activities enable more than 50,000 students in 200 schools throughout Northern California to discover the power of opera through arts education. To learn more about San Francisco Opera Guild, visit sfoperaguild.com.

Photo credit: Valentina Simi