“Opera for the 80s and Beyond” encouraged the development of new opera and musical theater. Under his leadership, the organization established two programs to encourage the development of new works. When DiChiera started as president of OPERA America in the late 1970s, few new operas were being presented in the United States. “That was the way I simply forged ahead and ignored the naysayers.”ĭiChiera’s vision to promote the growth of opera spread beyond his leadership at MOT. “I just kept saying, ‘We’re doing it because this is a great city, and a great city needs to have all of its cultural institutions,’” DiChiera said. The theaters sparked the growth of the development around them, including the stadiums, businesses, restaurants and residences that make up Detroit’s entertainment district. DiChiera saved two theaters: Music Hall in 1971 and Grand Circus Theater, transformed into the modern day Detroit Opera House in 1996. His work did more than build an opera company, it created a community that encouraged the development of its surroundings and the establishment of Detroit as a destination. Now in its second year, MOT Studio Artists can be found in Opera Antwerpan, Toledo Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Eugene Opera, and the Glimmerglass Festival, among others.įeeling a great sense of civic duty, DiChiera was determined that Detroit as a major metropolitan city – even one suffering tremendous population loss in the early 70s – had an opera company and one that resided in the city proper as part of its cultural center. The program provides five up-and-coming singers opportunities to perform at a range of venues from board meetings to community events to their own full-length opera while receiving master-level industry training and networking. Throughout the past four decades, DiChiera has dedicated himself to the mentoring and development of young artists, culminating in the establishment of the Michigan Opera Theatre Studio residency program, which provides advanced training and performance opportunities for emerging talent. Additionally, DiChiera personally nurtured the careers of numerous African-American artists such as Kathleen Battle, native Detroiter Maria Ewing, Leona Mitchell and Vinson Cole. He commissioned and produced the world premiere of Margaret Garner, a pre-Civil War opera based on Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” with Morrison herself writing the libretto. Throughout his time at Michigan Opera Theatre, DiChiera produced a range of diverse operas including Treemonisha, (African-American), Anoush (Armenian), King Roger (Polish), The Passenger (Jewish) and Frida (Mexican), among others. “And so, from the very beginning for me, were all based on diversity.” “One of the important things is that I wanted an opera company that reflected our city,” he said. Throughout all of these positions, DiChiera held true to a vision of opera that serves the people and moves forward with the times.Ĭhampioning artists of color, mentoring the next generation of singers and supporting Detroit’s revitalization were priorities for establishing MOT. He also served as president of OPERA America from 1979-1983. He has also been Founder and General Director of Opera Pacific in Orange County, California and Artistic Director of Ohio’s Dayton Opera Association, the only general director to run three opera companies at the same time. Throughout his career, DiChiera has been Founder, General Director and Artistic Director of Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT). He also identified the need to encourage young talent and to support and grow performance spaces to preserve the art form. In a tradition known for reprising and celebrating great works of the past, DiChiera saw opera as a continual exploration of the human experience, one that should continue to evolve to reflect the present age as well as the diverse cultures in which it resides. David DiChiera, opera is a living, breathing art. Every month will look back at a different aspect of the “DiChiera Legacy” and a man who dedicated his life to his art and his city.įor Michigan Opera Theatre Founder and Artistic Director Dr. David DiChiera as he transitions to Artistic Director Emeritus in May. Santa fe opera seating chart detailed series#We are pleased to announce the opening of our new blog series “DiChiera DiConstructed,” a monthly blog featuring different aspects of the career of our founder and artistic director Dr.
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