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Opera modesto Thrives - 40 Years Serving the central Valley member highlighT
In 1983, Modesto High School graduate and international opera singer, Erik “Buck” Townsend, founded Townsend Opera Players, beginning his “impossible dream” of a professional opera company in the Central Valley. Before he passed in 2008, Buck expressed his wish that another MHS graduate and international opera singer, Roy Stevens, take over the company.
Fast forward to 2018: the company was again in need of new leadership. Stevens was finally able to step in. After working pro-bono for 8 months, along with his wife, Annalisa Winberg (also an international opera singer), he became the full time General Director of the newly renamed company, Opera Modesto.
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In 2023, Opera Modesto celebrates with a 40th Anniversary Gala Concert at the Gallo Center (April 30)!
Under the leadership of Roy & Annalisa, Opera Modesto has become well-respected locally, regionally, and beyond. Its nationally unique Story Into Song Literacy Initiative was recognized by Opera America with an Opera Innovations Grant, and has received significant support from the California Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The 2023 Literacy Initiative was focused on the writing of Edgar Allan Poe and featured two one act operas, The Tell Tale Heart by famous rock drummer Stewart Copeland (The Police) and the world premiere of CSU Stanislaus professor Dr. Deborah Kavasch’s Annabel (based on Annabel Lee). The destination weekend included the first ever West Coast Poe-Con. Six performances were given for 2,000 middle school, high school, college and homeschool readers of Edgar Allan Poe from three counties.
Opera Modesto’s literacy opera movie, The Race, based on stories from Aesop’s fables and also composed by Dr. Kavasch, stars 19 Central Valley teens. It has won more than 80 international film festival awards from around the world and is now available with subtitles in English, paired with 15+ other languages (also an ASL version), and accompanied by a graphic novel in the same language combinations.
One of Buck’s highest priorities was to touch the lives of youth in the region through singing, opera, mentorship, and special opportunities. Roy & Annalisa have revived and expanded the youth opportunities through the various programs of TOP Young Artists, including the annual Summer Opera Institute for teens.
The future looks bright for Opera Modesto, as it continues to touch lives and provide joy in the extended community, while also providing a point of pride for Modesto and the valley. Buck’s “impossible dream” lives on.
