Recognizing and honoring Opera Philadelphia on their prestigious nomination as the Best Opera Company at the 2016 International Opera Awards.

WHEREAS, Opera Philadelphia is the only American company to be nominated in the best Opera Company category by the International Opera Awards, an event championing the finest operatic talent around the world and considered the “Oscars” of the opera world; and

WHEREAS, International Opera Awards will announce the winners in twenty categories at a ceremony in London on May 15th; and

Whereas, In collaboration with the School District of Philadelphia, Opera Philadelphia’s Sounds of Learning Program™ addresses the growing gap in arts education and access in the Greater Philadelphia region. The program has reached nearly 150,000 students in ten counties through an intensive, in-school, literacy-based music education program that includes opportunities to see a live opera performance; and

Whereas, Opera Philadelphia continues to set new expectations for opera for how the arts can be an economic driver, elevate the City’s global profile, invigorate the community through creative place making and educational initiatives, and attract artistry, attendance and philanthropy from outside of Philadelphia; and

Whereas, In September 2017 Philadelphia Opera will launch an annual, 12-day multistage opera festival that will offer more than 30 total performances across seven different venues in Philadelphia. The Opera estimates that more than 25,000 tickets will be issued and that over 20% of festival single ticket buyers will be from outside of the Greater Philadelphia region. These cultural tourists will bring an economic injection into the City during the festival footprint through lodging, hospitality, transportation, and other cultural attractions. Additionally, the festival will provide employment opportunities to artistic, production, and support personnel, with an estimated 500 full-time and seasonal jobs; and

Whereas, The festival will include the world premiere of

We Shall Not Be Moved,

a fusion of hip hop and opera inspired by the writings of Philadelphia high school students. This production originated from Hip H’Opera, Opera Philadelphia’s collaboration with Art Sanctuary to engage Philadelphia high school students in the creation, production, and performance of a full hip-hop opera inspired by their stories; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

,

That it hereby recognizes and honors Opera Philadelphia on their prestigious nomination as the Best Opera Company at the 2016 International Opera Awards.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Opera Philadelphia as evidence of the sincere appreciation, respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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