Black & White Opera Soiree raises $280,000 for National Arts Centre Orchestra and Opera Lyra Ottawa
February 19, 2003 -
OTTAWA -- The National Arts Centre Orchestra and Opera Lyra Ottawa
are proud to announce that the Black & White Opera Soiree benefit
concert, which took place on Saturday, February 15, has raised
$280,000 to be divided equally between the two organizations.
Described by The Ottawa Citizen as "one of the musical and
social highlights of the year," the Valentine's Day-themed
concert was presented for the sixth consecutive year by Bell Canada.
It featured soprano Anne Grimm, soprano Jackalyn Short, tenor
Benjamin Butterfield and baritone Joshua Hopkins. Music Director
Pinchas Zukerman led the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Opera
Lyra Ottawa Chorus was prepared by Laurence Ewashko.
Hosts for the evening were musical theatre star Michael Burgess,
who also doubled as a performer doing a stellar turn with some of the
songs for which he's most famous, and Radio-Canada personalities
Richard Garneau and Marie-Claude Lavallée. The NAC Orchestra
and Opera Lyra Ottawa thank all the artists who donated their
services in honour of the two organizations.
The 15-member fundraising committee was chaired by Sheridan Scott,
Chief Regulatory Officer of Bell Canada.
Sheridan Scott said: "The talents, creativity and tremendous
dedication of all the people at the NAC Orchestra and Opera Lyra
Ottawa are vital community assets - assets that have given us
a wealth of magical performances; assets that have clearly elevated
Ottawa's reputation as a world-class city. That's why I feel that the
generous gifts of patrons of the Black & White Soiree are
important and enduring investments in our community and its cultural
life."
Bell Canada presented the Black & White Opera Soiree in
association with Enbridge Gas Distribution, Scotiabank and
CBC/Radio-Canada. Special thanks go to Borden Ladner Gervais LLP,
Best Buy Canada, Diageo Canada Inc., Audi Canada/Mark Motors of
Ottawa, Petro-Canada, CIBC, Ekos Research, The Ottawa Citizen,
LeDroit, The Lowe-Martin Group, B!ddle McGillvray Advertising, Air
Canada, and The Ottawa Marriott.
