Opera Pacific
| Company type | Nonprofit opera company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Performing arts |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Headquarters | Santa Ana, California , United States |
Area served | Orange County, California |
Key people | David DiChiera (General Director, 1985–1996), John DeMain (Artistic Director) |
| Products | Opera performances |
Opera Pacific was an opera organization located in Santa Ana, California, serving the Orange County region. It presented performances for 22 seasons before ceasing operations in 2008 due to persistent financial difficulties.
History
The inaugural season of the company commenced in 1985 under the leadership of General Director David DiChiera, who held the position until 1996. Its roots can be traced back to the 1962 Festival of Opera Association based in Laguna Beach, California, which produced operas at the Irvine Bowl. To support this festival, the Opera League of Laguna Beach was established. Early productions included well-known works such as Madame Butterfly, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Barber of Seville, with significant double features like I Pagliacci paired with The Devil and Daniel Webster in 1965.
During the early 1980s, enthusiasts from the Opera League and other local opera supporters contributed to founding Opera Pacific, coinciding with the inauguration of the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. The company attracted prominent performers including Luciano Pavarotti in 1988, Dame Joan Sutherland in 1989, and Plácido Domingo in 1991. Renowned soprano Kathleen Battle also appeared in a 2001 production.
At its height, Opera Pacific staged six different operas annually, each typically performed six times; however, this was later reduced to three operas with four performances apiece. The artistic direction was overseen by John DeMain.
On November 4, 2008, Opera Pacific announced the cancellation of the remaining shows for its 2008/2009 season due to financial strain and indicated that it would likely cease operations permanently.
Additionally, the company organized a yearly summer "Opera Camp."
See also
References