Utah Festival Opera ready, more than ever, for curtain call
By Roxana Orellana
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated Jul 2, 2010 02:53PM
Utah Festival Opera production of "The Barber of Seville."
Logan, UT - The Utah Festival Opera Company won’t have to give curtain speeches this year asking for money. That’s because the Logan organization, which opens its 18th summer season this week, is in better financial shape.
“It’s a whole different world than it was last year,” said Michael Ballam, founder and general director. “Individual contributions made up the difference between the corporate and foundation shortfalls.”
Those donations helped UFO finish its 18th season with a balanced budget and a future. Already ticket sales are about 10 percent above the festival’s best year.
In addition to the four main shows, the five-week festival includes more than 130 events: orchestral and vocal concerts, pre-performance discussions, backstage tours and continuing education courses. This season also marks 150 years of opera in Logan, the Loesser centennial and a new association with the American Festival Chorus led by Craig Jessop, former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
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