February 28, 2006 -

OTTAWA -- The Black and White Opera Soiree, which was held at the National Arts Centre on Saturday, February 18, was an enormous artistic and financial success. Entitled Love, Death and Divas, the fabulous fundraiser raised a record-setting $345,000 -- a 38% increase over last year’s total -- which will be shared equally by Opera Lyra Ottawa and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Proceeds from this year’s Black and White Opera Soiree will help to further develop Canadian musical talent, a shared mission of the National Arts Centre and Opera Lyra Ottawa.

The event featured opera’s greatest hits, chosen from centuries of glorious repertoire. Many thanks to the wonderfully talented artists who made the 9th annual Black and White Opera Soiree so memorable: host Colm Feore, soprano Adrianne Pieczonka, baritone Russell Braun, the Opera Lyra Ottawa Chorus, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra under the baton of Richard Bradshaw.

The Black & White Opera Soiree was presented by proud Founding Sponsor Bell Canada for the ninth year in a row, in association with Enbridge Inc. and Scotiabank. Special thanks to the Lowe-Martin Group, Biddle McGillvray Advertising, the Ottawa Citizen, Le Droit, CBC, Radio-Canada Television, Ottawa Business Journal, Hill Times, and Embassy.

Grateful thanks also go to the hard-working Black and White Opera Soiree Volunteer Committee, chaired by Lawson A. W. Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Officer, BCE and Bell Canada. Committee members include Mary Jane Binks, Hélène Carty, Blair Dickerson, Ruth Foster, Patrick Griffith, Arthur Loeb, Sharon McGarry, Russell Mills, Bill Pristanski , Jennifer Smith, Ian Sterling, and Eli Turk.

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Information:
Gerald Morris, National Arts Centre
(613) 947-7000, x249
gmorris@nac-cna.ca

Karl Balisch, Opera Lyra Ottawa
(613) 233-9200, x229
kbalisch@operalyra.ca