Thank you for your interest in El Paso Opera! Operating a performing arts organization during a world pandemic comes with unpredictability. Thank you in advance for your consideration of support to help us counteract this tremendous uncertainty. 2022-2023 marks our 29th Season of presenting quality opera content to El Paso, Texas and the surrounding bi-national and bilingual communities! This season includes a slate of events that we know El Paso appreciates and enjoys. In addition, with our plentiful calendar of free programming throughout the city, more people can enjoy El Paso Opera than ever before. When our season programming is chosen, it is done so with the El Paso community at the forefront of our minds. We strive to provide our community with programming and performers we know El Paso will enjoy, appreciate, and value. Since the pandemic began we have suffered from plummeting ticket sales. Without the opportunity to present large performances, we have not been able to collect ticket revenue that would typically help support our expenses. However, during this same time period we have greatly increased the free programming we present to the community! With three free community programs-First Fridays, #CurbsideOpera and Making Spirits Bright-we provide over 35 free performances each year! In addition, our free Education program provides instruction plus free performances to local students!

Donations to El Paso Opera are vital to the continuation of our quality performances, our free community programs and our Education program. We are a very small organization with a large reach into the El Paso community. We contribute directly to El Pasoan’s quality of life! In addition, our shows contribute a large amount to the local economy by employing multiple artists, multiple crew members, and renting city venues. Our events help drive sales at surrounding restaurants, bars, parking garages and hotels.

We cannot do these things alone. Ticket sales typically only cover the cost of approximately 40% of a production’s expenses. Therefore, it is vital for donations and sponsorships to help us cover the remaining expenses as well as the expenses of our robust catalog of free programming.

Your commitment to support El Paso will help us continue to do all these things. Our upcoming plans include expanding to offer a second mainstage show within one season-Frida in August 2022 and La Traviata in June 2023. We are committed to continuing our First Fridays, #CurbsideOpera and Making Spirits Bright programs and our Education program in our determination to bring music to as many people as possible. By contributing to El Paso Opera, you will be directly affecting the quality of life for this community while helping us support the local economy. It’s the best of both worlds!

Your funding is integral to the continuation of these programs. Our past three seasons have focused heavily on accessibility, and we are dedicated to continuing this trend. We have done our best to weather the difficulties of the pandemic, but we know there are going to be long lasting effects. Therefore, your support of our programming is needed this season more than ever!

Thank you in advance for your consideration of support for El Paso Opera. We are determined to do our part to help our community heal from the emotional toll of the pandemic through the power of music and the arts. It is only through community support that El Paso Opera will continue to contribute to the quality of life of our wonderful city.

With gratitude, Arianne Marcee, Executive Director