Former Opera Guild President Carol Garrard, an accomplished historian and author, will show and discuss illustrations (figurini) from the original production of Verdi’s Otello at an Opera Salon to be held by The Arizona Opera League of Tucson on Wednesday, March 21, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. These rare illustrations give insight into Verdi’s intentions as to characters, costumes, and sets.
The venue is Atria Campana del Rio, 1550 East River Road. Admission is $20; send a check payable to AOLT to PO Box 65702, Tucson AZ 85728. If you have questions, please Send Email or phone Judi Hasbrouck at 520-906-3792.
Guild? League? What’s the Difference?
The Opera Guild and the Opera League are distinct, unrelated organizations, but confusion often arises over the similar names and purposes. Here is some clarification. The Guild, founded in 1958, is an independent charity chartered by the State of Arizona and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its purpose is to support opera education and the appreciation of opera in the community.
The League, whose history goes back to 1973, is an arm of the Arizona Opera Company (which is itself a qualified charity). The community activities of the two groups are similar; the primary difference is that the League’s fundraising activities benefit the opera company, while those of the Guild primarily assist local opera students. Both organizations are worthy of your support.