Opera executive director applauds TOG support

Dear fellow Opera Guild members,

How wonderful to see so many of you at Wildwood in September! Thanks to Cindy Niggemyer and Laura Draheim for organizing a great season kick-off. I also must add that the MAGIC FLUTE luncheon was another triumph; thanks goes to guild members and luncheon chairs Megan Kabour and June Galvin.

Flute and bell centerpieces at TOG's MAGIC
FLUTE luncheon at Registry Bistro.

Please know that these gatherings are essential to helping promote Toledo Opera and are enormously appreciated by the staff, the Opera Board of Directors, and myself. Thank you all!

In 2019 we celebrate Toledo Opera's 60th anniversary. The Toledo Opera Guild was instrumental in the creation of Toledo Opera 60 years ago and has been present in absolutely every chapter of the opera company's 60-year-history. I am certain that having the Opera Guild alongside us has been critical to the remarkable resilience and stability of Toledo Opera.

As we continue marching through the fall and our 60th season, let us gain new energy and a renewed commitment to all things wonderful in Toledo. Live, professional opera being one of those things!

Much thanks to you all,
Suzanne Rorick,
Toledo Opera Executive Director

TOG president shares love for opera, community

Hello Friends, Members and Opera Lovers,

The Toledo Opera Guild has begun another amazing season of fun, friendship, and financial support. We've kicked up our heels at a Brunhilde barbecue and enjoyed a lovely bistro luncheon, and we have many more events ahead.

Kotchetov

We gather always in the spirit of the guild's mission: to financially support the Toledo Opera company and to spread awareness of and appreciation for this amazing art form right here in northwest Ohio. We also form connections with local community members and area businesses, whose volunteering and donations help make it all possible. Being a member of TOG is not just about being part of the opera but also of a whole community working hard to enhance life here in the Toledo area. Please join us!

We also cordially invite you to attend the simply divine slate of performances the Toledo Opera has scheduled for its 60th anniversary season: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE on Oct. 5 and 7, George Bizet's CARMEN on Feb. 8 and 10, and Douglas Moore's THE BALLAD OF BABY DOE on April 12 and 14, all staged at the beautiful Valentine Theatre. There also will be special opera offerings at the 60th Anniversary Opera Gala: Six Decades of Sparkling Performances in Toledo, set for Nov. 3 at Inverness Club.

The opera also has education outreach programs for our local school districts, a resident artist program, and pre-opera discussions that are presented to the public at no charge. When you attend a Toledo Opera Guild event, you are supporting these efforts as well as the stage productions. And TOG has so many fun ways for you to do that! We routinely sell out seats for our Celebrity Wait Night -- spookily themed Eat, Drink & Be Scary this fall -- and our fabulous Phashion of the Opera fashion show in the spring. Everything from ghouls to glamour is a hot ticket for this group!

I would be so happy to meet you and spend more time with you at these events, sharing my love for Toledo Opera and admiration for the guild members who have so faithfully supported our mission for so many years. We know in our hearts that with your support, Toledo Opera will be celebrating another 60 years and countless more in the future.

Kelly Kotchetov
President of Toledo Opera Guild