Asheville Lyric Opera is a professional, non-profit opera company located in Asheville, North Carolina. Now approaching their 13th Season, the company was founded in 1999 with a mission to enhance the arts and cultural life of Western North Carolina. Founder, David Craig Starkey, currently serves as General and Artistic Director. ALO presented its first full production, Puccini's La bohème, in conjunction with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, in 2000. ALO is a professional company member of Opera America[1]. The Diana Wortham Theatre, built in 1991[2], has been the company's home since 2001.
Past performances have included guest artists who have performed extensively across the U.S. and abroad, including nationally and internationally recognized guest conductors and directors. The Tenth Anniversary Gala in 2009 featured guests Angela Brown, soprano, Tonio DiPaolo, tenor, and David Malis, baritone, joined by the Asheville Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of Principal Guest Conductor, Robert Hart Baker.
Their most recent performance,on October 7th and 8th of 2011 was a very well produced and performed presentation of Madama Butterfly by Puccini. It was conducted by Dr. Robert Hart Baker, and featured acclaimed soprano Jennifer Davison as Madame Butterfly and multi-talented tenor Brian Cheney as Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton as well as baritone Mark Owen Davis singing a flawless Sharpless and Dawn Pierce singing a powerfully moving Suzuki. The intricate and elaborate choreography was the intelligent brain child of designer/director Jon Truitt. The performances were very well attended and closed to standing ovations on both nights.
This was just the latest gym in the company's eleven year history. So far, they have presented over 20 full operas and numerous concerts across Western North Carolina. The company began touring with their 2003/2004 season and has brought productions to Indiana, Georgia, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The company also presents educational programs and operas for children across the region, and offers student internships in Arts Administration, Music Business and Performance[3].