Taconic Opera
Mission:
To maintain and enhance an opera company focused on its own community both its support of local artists and its commitment to local arts education.
The purpose of the organization is to provide local artists, both professional and volunteer, with an opportunity to participate in the production and presentation of high-quality professional opera events that are accessible and affordable to the general public. Lead singers, orchestra members, chorus members, set designers and production staff are all local residents and therefore have been involved in various productions together. Productions focus on ensemble rather than highlighting any one particular performer. Mainstage operas are presented each season that are fully staged with a full union orchestra and include supertitles above the stage. Additional events include concerts and recitals to round out the season, both of which include local professional musicians. Locations for events have been in the central and northern parts of the county in underserved areas—especially in terms of opportunities in the high arts.
Admission-free student performances of each mainstage opera are made available to schools throughout the county. School districts where children are less likely to have exposure to this art form are particularly targeted and include those in the more densely populated parts of the county with a broad range of ethnic and socio-economic groups, i.e., Peekskill, Greenburgh, Yonkers, Mt. Vernon, etc. Schools serving physically and mentally challenged youth and young adults are also encouraged to participate and appropriate accommodations are made. Taconic Opera has also provided on-site events in schools to introduce children and youth to opera.
Get-to-know-the-artist admission-free events are provided during the season and before mainstage operas in community locations such as bookstores, churches, community buildings, etc. These events allow for interaction between the performers and the audience in order to introduce this art form to persons with little or no exposure, or to enhance the appreciation of opera among persons who want to know more about it.
