General/Artistic Director’s Letter

FROM THE GENERAL/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PELHAM G. PEARCE, JR.

Our lives were forever impacted in March of 2020. The COVID-19 virus brought our physical connection to the outside world to a screeching halt. Since then, each and every one of us has struggled to communicate and interact both personally and professionally. Ultimately, we’ve found new ways of accomplishing things — shopping, groceries, school…everything.

As a consequence, what we’ve also discovered is that nothing takes the place of human interaction. We yearn for it. And, when we find ways to connect — even separated by 6 feet and covered in protective equipment — we again become joyful.

For me, this has driven home not only what is so incredibly special about live musical storytelling, but, in particular, what makes the Central City Opera House such a unique and wonderful place in which to share it. In our intimate and beautiful space, we gather year after year to experience riveting, transformative, human storytelling up close and personal. It’s a place to be together.

Thank you for your support over this last year. Your generosity and faith in Central City Opera brought an outpouring of donations for our COVID-19 Relief Fund. Gifts of all sizes from donors both new and long-standing helped the 200+ Festival company members who bring Central City Opera to life each summer to safely weather this storm. The financial assistance proved meaningful and life-changing.

Your pledges to our Endowment Campaign secured an enduring future for that undeniable Central City Opera magic. And your kind words of encouragement were a balm for our dedicated, professional staff who worked tirelessly to pivot the organization toward this reimagined, outdoor season.

We continue our work because we must: after all, music is healing. Our lives and souls are enriched by simply being together to experience art. Pandemic or not, we know that the show must go on.

Looking ahead to 2022, our 90th anniversary season, what better time to reenter the Opera House and celebrate great art and the trials we’ve overcome, shoulder to shoulder?

I wish you, and all whom you hold dear, much success as we rebuild our world together.

Sincerely,

Pelham G. Pearce, Jr. General/Artistic Director