OPERA AMERICA Announces National Opera Week 2016

Opera companies, schools and organizations across North America will celebrate the eighth annual NATIONAL OPERA WEEK (operaamerica.org/OperaWeek) from Friday, October 28 through Sunday, November 6, 2016, with nearly 200 opera activities and announcements in their communities. Part of National Opera Week for the second year, OPERA ADVOCACY DAY (November 1), empowers individuals to take action to support the art form. National Opera Week and Opera Advocacy Day are coordinated by OPERA America, the national service organization for opera and the nation's leading champion for American opera.

OPERA America is delighted to announce that famous designer and beloved television personality ISAAC MIZRAHI is serving as the Honorary Chairman of National Opera Week 2016, encouraging audiences to explore opera.

"The more you know about opera, the more you know about life," stated Mizrahi. "Opera is as important to me as sports are to other people - an opera season is like Wimbledon or the World Series. The power of great singing is more than any other physical effort and ten times as gratifying."

Mr. Mizrahi welcomes audiences to National Opera Week in a video message, viewable at operaamerica.org/OperaWeek and on the organization's YouTube channel.

National Opera Week celebrates the vibrancy of opera in America today and conveys the excitement and importance of opera to a national and international audience. The strength and diversity of established opera companies, community opera ensembles, opera training programs and individual opera artists across North America will be on display through the wide array of events offered. These activities include performances, family activities, lectures, social events, tours, trivia contests and announcements of year-round community impact.

"Opera is thriving across the United States and Canada," stated OPERA America President/CEO Marc A. Scorca. "Cities large and small are home to vibrant opera organizations that serve the public inside the opera house with inspiring productions and in the community with performances in alternative venues, events for families and inspiring introductions to the magic of the art form. National Opera Week demonstrates and celebrates the diversity of our art form today that promises an exciting future for opera across the country."

On Tuesday, November 1, Opera Advocacy Day provides an opportunity for individuals who work in or love opera to show their commitment to the art form by urging lawmakers and community leaders to support arts education and other policies and legislation that promote opera and the performing arts. Facts, talking points and other resources are available on the National Opera Week website (operaamerica.org/OperaWeek) and through the Performing Arts Alliance (theperformingartsalliance.org), of which OPERA America is a founding member.

"Nothing makes a bigger difference than when policymakers and community leaders hear from their constituents," stated Brandon Gryde, director of government affairs at OPERA America. "Whether the issue most important to you is arts education in our schools, funding for the National Endowment for the Arts or tax policies for nonprofits, change won't happen if we don't raise our voices. Opera Advocacy Day is a great opportunity for opera leaders, artists and lovers of the art form to share how opera and the performing arts make our communities healthier and more vibrant."

Descriptions of select National Opera Week activities and lists of participating organizations and event locations may be found below.

Visit operaamerica.org/OperaWeek for a full listing of National Opera Week activities, a welcome video from Honorary Chairman Isaac Mizrahi and Opera Advocacy Day resources.

Join the National Opera Week conversation on social media with #OperaWeek.

For more information about OPERA America, its many programs and the National Opera Center, visit operaamerica.org.

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