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A Brief History The Opera Company of Philadelphia, one of the fastest-growing opera companies in North America, is Philadelphia's only grand opera company. Established in 1975 through a merger of the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company and the Philadelphia Lyric Opera Company, the Opera Company of Philadelphia is considered home to some of opera's brightest singers, composers, directors and conductors. Now celebrating its 25th Season for the coming year, the Opera Company boasts a long history of quality grand opera productions cast with a unique blend of international stars and rising young talent. Primary to identifying rising young talent is the Opera Company's close association with two of the country's premiere operatic educational institutions -- The Curtis Institute of Music Opera Theatre and the Academy of Vocal Arts. Under the leadership of General Director Robert B. Driver, the Opera Company of Philadelphia has experienced significant growth over the last eight years, with a dramatic increase in both subscribers and number of performances (Under Mr. Driver's direction, the Company has gone from eight to 30 performances each season, and from 3,200 subscribers to almost 12,800). Today, the Opera Company is preparing for the future with plans for further season expansion as more evenings become available for use at the Academy of Music with the inauguration of the new Regional Performing Arts Center (RPAC). It remains committed to the Philadelphia region through educational programs for students and adults, the development of new talent, special outreach programs aimed at diversifying its audience, as well as the continued addition of new productions and exciting national and international co-productions. |
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