Thanks for supporting the 'Bacchanalia' fundraiser on Nov. 22

Thanks to all who participated in the Opera to Go! "Bacchanalia" fundraiser on Nov. 22. It was more successful than anticipated. The music and entertainment were simply the "best in town" that evening, and participants were treated to some amazing local talent. Musically, it gave Juneau audiences insight into the level of musical talent showcased by Opera to Go!

The highlight of our 2007-08 season was the production of Dido and Aeneas which is on YouTube and our spring spotlight event was Opera Spotlight. The Amalga Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of William Todd Hunt, provided skilled musical background for such vocal talents as Amanda Crider, David Miller, Brett and Cheryl Crawford, Tiffany Hanson, Aaron Elmore, Wade Rogers, Dan and Kathleen Wayne, Therese Thibodeau, Cathy Pashigian, Jay Query, Patricia Hull, Beth Madsen Bradford and others who made our 2007-08 season an operatic performing arts success.

We're well into our 2008-09 season and have already brought to stage Giacomo Puccini's famous operatic trio known as "Il Trittico." In November, we showcased a variety of local entertainers on the Juneau Community Center's stage for the Bacchanalia, a night of fine Greek foods, wines, and entertainment, which included the Dale Wygant Polka Band, Todd Hunt and Doug Smith, Jeff Brown and his magic, Tom Locher and Wayne Norlund, Bret and Cheryl Crawford, and the Daughters of the New Moon. This May, we'll bring Juneau a series of 10- to 20-minute staged operatic arias and ensembles called "Opera Spotlight," which will feature Juneau vocalists and directors with performances scheduled in Juneau and perhaps Sitka, Skagway and Haines. Hey, this is Opera to Go! you know.

Your participation in "Bacchanalia," our first fundraiser, set a very high musical and entertainment standard, one we hope to emulate this year. Thanks for your participation in our fundraiser, and we hope to work with you again this year during another event.

Andiamo.

Wade Rogers

Publicity chairman and board member, Opera to Go!

Juneau