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Recognizing and honoring Opera Philadelphia for their nomination in the Best Opera Company category in the 2016 International Opera Awards.
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The International Opera Awards, an event championing the finest operatic talent around the world, are run by British monthly Opera magazine. Winners will be announced on May 15 at a ceremony in London.
Whereas, Opera Philadelphia is the only American company to be nominated in this category and shares the nomination with some of the most prestigious organizations in the Opera world including: Deutsche Opera Berlin; Dutch National Opera; Polish National Opera; Theater an der Wien; and Welsh National Opera.
Whereas, according to the official announcement from the International Opera Awards, Opera Philadelphia and the other nominees "hail from around the globe and represent the industry's best and brightest."
Whereas, Opera Philadelphia continues to set new expectations for opera and its role in the region setting new expectations for how the arts can be an economic driver, elevate the city's global profile, invigorate the community through creative place making and educational initiatives, and attract artistry, attendance and philanthropy from outside of Philadelphia.
Whereas, in collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, Opera Philadelphia's Sounds of Learning Program™ addresses the growing gap in arts education and access in the Greater Philadelphia region. The program has reached nearly 150,000 students in ten counties through an intensive, in school, literacy-based music education program that includes opportunities to see a live opera performance.
Whereas, Philadelphia Opera will launch in September 2017 an annual, 12-day multistage opera festival that will offer more than 30 total performances across seven different venues in Philadelphia. The Opera projects that over 25,000 tickets will be issued and that over 20% of festival single ticket buyers will be from outside of the Greater Philadelphia region. These cultural tourists will bring an economic injection into the city during the festival footprint through lodging, hospitality, transportation, and other cultural attractions. Additionally, the festival will provide employment opportunities to artistic, production, and support personnel, with an estimated 500 full-time and seasonal jobs.
Whereas, the festival will include the world premiere of We Shall Not Be Moved, a fusion of hip hop and opera inspired by the writings of Philadelphia high school students. This production originated from Hip H'Opera, Opera Philadelphia's collaboration with Art Sanctuary to engage Philadelphia high school students in the creation, production, and performance of a full hip-hop opera inspired by their stories.
Therefore, By the virtue of this Citation, the Council of the City of Philadelphia is pleased and proud to honor and congratulate Opera Philadelphia with their prestigious nomination as the Best Opera Company at the 2016 International Opera Awards. With appreciation, we extend to Opera Philadelphia the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
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