Washington National Opera Offers Young Professionals Friday Nights

Washington National Opera (WNO) has unveiled a first-of-its-kind subscription series that will allow young professionals to experience all the benefits of season-ticket holders at deeply discounted prices. Called Series O, the Friday-night series is an extension of the Company's Generation O program, the audience development initiative which for eight seasons has offered specially priced individual tickets to opera lovers ages 18 to 35. The new series was announced on June 2 at a 2010-11 Season Preview Open Orchestra Rehearsal exclusively offered to current Generation O members, giving them the first opportunity to subscribe to Series O. Attendees were invited to subscribe, and also learned about BravO, the company's new young donor program.

Benefits of the Friday-night Series O will include guaranteed seats to all five operas in the 2010-11 season and access to prime and premium seats at a 50% discount. Other features of the series are free ticket exchanges, no handling fees, pre-performance lectures in the Opera House and post-performance events at local bars and restaurants.

At 15,000 members strong, the free-to-join Generation O program is among the largest and most successful programs of its kind, and in addition to discounted tickets, the program offers free networking events and monthly happy hours for its membership. WNO will continue to offer individual tickets and networking events to all members of the Generation O program, though some opportunities will be exclusive to Series O subscribers.

In addition to Series O, WNO has also launched BravO, a membership program for young professionals. A $50 membership fee will entitle members to benefits including access to donor lounges on performance nights, advance notice and discounts to WNO special events, and one complimentary invitation to a WNO special event each year. Membership dues will directly support the expansion of future Generation O events as well as the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, the Company's resident training program for young, professional artists on the verge of international careers.

"Series O and the BravO program were created in response to the overwhelming interest in the Generation O program-it's long been one of the best deals in town for 20- and 30-somethings. Now, so many of our members have fallen in love with opera and are ready to take the next step in deepening their connection to WNO, by becoming subscribers and donors, and attending events," commented Joy Langley, chair of the Generation O Advisory Council, the volunteer steering committee for the Generation O program. "We in Generation O are so excited for the opportunity to play a larger role in the life of WNO. These programs demonstrate WNO's commitment to accessibility and to cultivating the next generation of opera audiences."

How to Join Generation O and Learn More about Series O and BravO

Washington National Opera's Generation O is Washington's largest young professionals' arts program, welcoming those who are 18 to 35 and interested in opera to connect with each other and take part in educational programs and social events. Generation O is free-to-join, and offers members access to deeply discounted opera tickets, educational events and opera-centric networking opportunities. All current and new members of Generation O will have the opportunity to subscribe to Series O before individual tickets go on sale to the general public. Visit www.dc-opera.org/generationo to join Generation O and receive more information about Generation O programs and opportunities.

2010-11 Series O Dates
Verdi's Ballo in Maschera-Friday, September 17, 2010
Strauss' Salome-Friday, October 15, 2010
Puccini's Madama Butterfly-Friday, March 4, 2011
Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride-Friday, May 20, 2011
Donizetti's Don Pasquale-Friday, May 27, 2011

For complete casting and details about the 2010-11 season, visit www.dc-opera.org.