Toledo Opera Today Announces Its Capital Campaign:
CRESCENDO  – BUILDING FOR OPERA

(Toledo, OH) October 7, 2006 – Toledo Opera today makes public its $2 million campaign designed to help secure the fiscal future of Toledo Opera. The campaign funds will be used to create a $1 million artistic excellence fund and to increase the Opera’s endowment by $1 million.

Toledo Opera has already raised over $800,000 during the campaign’s “leadership” phase. Saturday, October 7, 2006, the official announcement of the campaign takes place at the opening of the Toledo Opera season with performances of Roméo et Juliette.

The capital campaign is designed to help Toledo Opera reach new heights of excellence. The campaign will:

Create an Opera Fund which will allow us to:

• Continue attracting the finest singers, stage directors and conductors through competitive artists’ fees;
• Commission new operas which will bring national attention to Toledo;
• Create a summer series of light operas
• Increase special performances for children

Increase Toledo Opera’s Endowment

• Increase the Opera’s $1 million endowment to $2 million. This will foster fiscal soundness by providing $150,000 in accrued interest to the Opera’s annual operating budget.

“Toledoans, like citizens of other American cities, have always demonstrated spirit and loyalty in their support of the arts,” said Toledo Opera’s General and Artistic Director Renay Conlin. “They recognize that the arts are an essential part of the “personality” of Toledo and add immeasurably to our quality of life. Toledo Opera is poised to move to a higher level of service to the community and this campaign will allow us to take the next steps in achieving this goal.”

“We are grateful to those donors who have shown their belief in our vision as laid out by the campaign said Rita Mansour, Toledo Opera trustee and campaign chairwoman. “We will be asking supporters of opera and the arts in our community to help ensure the company’s continued success and growth. We hope to reach our goal within the coming year.”