Opera New York, Inc. was founded in 1982 by Judith Fredricks at the request of their sponsor, William Reilly, the artistic director of the theatre complex at the newly constructed Borough of Manhattan Community College in Tribeca. ONY was to fill the theatres of the complex with opera, concerts, and musical theatre productions that would then be accessible to the communities, schools, and parks of NYC, through their outreach program. The company consisted of 50 of NYC's most talented young artists, directors, and musicians.

When funding for the theatre complex collapsed, Opera New York became an opera workshop. Classes of all kinds, from acting and voice to dance and movement for singers, were taught. Productions were on a smaller scale, but continued to be done. The Academy for the Performing Artist grew out of this, as a division of Opera NY, and still continues to train opera and music theatre singers. It is currently seeking funding to take opera into schools.

The Hudson River Park and Conservancy of New York, under Arnie Abramowitz, became the next supporting organization, helping to develop concerts for the piers and parks of New York City. Thus, The Four Divas concerts were produced as well as many other cross-over concerts, many of which have toured Germany, Norway, Austria, Italy, and Sweden over the last 5 years.

Ten years ago Opera New York established The Writers Stage, a venue for developing new operas and music theatre works. We are at present planning to revive one of our most successful productions, Tales from the Manhattan Woods, in December 2010. Tales from the Manhattan Woods, is a present-day adaptation of Die Fledermaus, with book and lyrics by HBO comedy writer, Frederick Stroppel, set to the original Strauss score. Tales from the Manhattan Woods originally ran off-Broadway from November 2003 thru January 2004. It was directed by ONY Artistic Director Judith Fredricks and received enthusiastic reviews. The Writers Stage under Opera New York is now planning a similar deconstruction of Donizetti’s comic opera, Don Pasquale. The changes include an English present-day translation, with spoken recitative, thus turning the work into a music theatre piece. Auditions for some of these upcoming projects are currently underway.

Opera New York, with their Artistic Advisor, Placido Domingo, established the Chester Ludgin Verdi Baritone Competition in 2005. This competition, dedicated to keeping alive the artistry of one of America’s greatest baritones, was subsequently produced in 2007. The next competition will be in the fall of 2010, again with Mr. Domingo as lead juror, along with a stellar panel. ONY calls upon the art communities of New York City to join us in this endeavor, not only as a celebration of Mr. Ludgin's life, artistry, and great humanity, but to seek out that rare artist, the Verdi Baritone.

Along with the Competition, Opera NY also honors someone from the world of classical vocal arts with the Chester Ludgin Humanity in the Arts award. The first year Martina Arroyo was honored, and Mr. Domingo was honored in 2007.

Opera NY, the Writers’ Stage, and The Academy for the Performing Artist are presently seeking a home for their productions, and for the training of, not only artists, but audiences for the future. We know we can make a difference in the cultural life of this wonderful city.

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