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In response to Wednesday’s article published in the London Free Press, Orchestra London would like to clarify our involvement in the future of opera in London.

There is no doubt that there is demand for opera in our community. Sold-out productions, rave reviews, and audience satisfaction have demonstrated Londoners want to see opera thrive in the Creative City.

After five successful collaborations with Pacific Opera Victoria, in 2010 Orchestra London joined forces with the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA) at the University of Western Ontario to present Handel’s Giulio Cesare this coming June.

The Achilles heel in opera productions, as is the case with most arts organizations, is that ticket sales cover only a portion of the cost. The remainder must be raised through community support and government funding.

Orchestra London will continue to work with COAA and other community partners, with the financial support of the Trillium Foundation, to help develop a new, sustainable business model to keep opera alive in the Creative City.  We are now reviewing how the production is to be governed, managed and operated.  We have learned that to be sustainable, a successful opera requires sponsors, donors, and where appropriate, federal and provincial government support.

Orchestra London remains committed to supporting the City of London’s vision for a Creative City that includes opera.

We call on all opera fans to continue to show community support by purchasing a ticket to Giulio Cesare. Let’s keep working together to enrich London’s arts community.

Sincerely,

Brent Kelman, Chair
Orchestra London Board of Directors