we are opera fort collins
Our Mission
To entertain, enrich and educate through the professional presentation of opera and community engagement programs.
~November 2012
Our History
Opera Fort Collins, an established 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts group, provides productions of excellent quality and high performance standards. Its goal is to both entertain and educate its audiences, while providing
training and work venues for local and guest artists in the many disciplines that comprise opera production: singers, instrumentalists, designers, costumers, choreographers, lighting technicians, directors, etc.
Opera Fort Collins was established in 1979, with independent productions from that year until 1980. From 1981-1990, the productions ran under the auspices of Open Stage Theatre. In 1991, OFC was formally incorporated as a performing arts company with Elizabeth Elliott as the first Artistic Director. Its first opera was presented in 1992. In 1999 OFC added a winter gala, launched a regional school educational program, and held a regional singing competition, and additional events have been launched in subsequent years to enrich this community with vocal artistry. Operas are presented in the original language, and easy-to-read English supertitles are always provided in order to make the performances more accessible. The Company's second artistic director, Dr. Todd Queen, was joined by Maestro Wes Kenney as Music Director, formalizing the relationship with the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra. Together, they expanded the season to include three productions: a fully staged opera each August, a concert version opera in May, and a December arias concert with a sparkling gala and fundraising auction. An OFC Apprentice Artist program was added, giving CSU master in Vocal Arts students the opportunity to sing comprimario roles with hired opera professionals. In addition, these apprentices represent the Company in its educational outreach programs to regional schools and service organizations. During the OFC season 31, the community wide OFC Chorus was formally established under the direction of Chorus Master Dr. Gerald Holbrook. Dr. Queen served the company for seven years before retiring in the spring of 2011. Brian Clay Luedloff became the company’s new Artistic Director in 2011. Luedloff and Kenney embarked on a very successful partnership bringing quality opera performances to our audiences over their tenure.
In the 2017-18 season OFC’s Board and staff charted a new focus in keeping with trends for small opera companies around the country. The 2018 season centered on a Festival of productions, concerts and events on a central theme. The tenure of Wes Kenney and Brian Luedloff saw our company thrive. Both Kenney and Luedloff Stepped away as we were forced to cancel our season 40 due to the pandemic. With the Covid pandemic, OFC was forced to cancel our Season 40 operas Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth.
Randie Blooding stepped in as Interim Artistic Director and led us through those uncertain times. We presented an opera in an outdoor setting for Season 41 Trouble in Tahiti and at the Bas Bleu Theatre with The Fantastics. We moved to the Masonic Temple for Season 42 and The Magic Flute,
In August of 2022, Steven Aguiló-Arbues became Artist Director and conducted Season 43’s performances of Susannah and Dido and Aeneas. For season 44, we are excited to be able offer our opera once again at The Lincoln Center with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro and will be presenting our first opera in Spanish, Manuel De Falla’s La Vide Breve and other Spanish Gems concert.
In addition, OFC has a thriving education outreach program “Oper A La Carte” Artist in Residence taking lessons about opera to the elementary schools in the county, as well as their Collaborative After School Musical programs, Career Paths zoom clinics where active artists are featured in a zoom clinic with participants nationwide, as well as classes for Seniors through the Front Range forum. OFC offers a concert series “Arias @ Avo’s” on the last Sunday of most months during the year, where we feature talented Colorado singers, as well as students from CSU and UNC vocal music departments. OFC continues with a variety of events throughout the year.
OFC is pleased to be recognized as one of America’s outstanding regional opera companies.
Donate to Keep
Us Singing!
As with most performing arts organizations, OFC ticket sales cover a fraction of our general operating needs. While we are diligent in seeking grants, business support, fundraising opportunities and other revenue streams to supplement our modest annual budget, we need YOUR assistance to support the performances you enjoy each season.