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February 12, 2016
Join the Sostenuto Society
Where You Have a Starring Role
 
   It's a new year, and that means it's time to renew your membership or to join the Festival Opera Sostenuto Society. Membership in Sostenuto is as "inside" as it gets without actually having to sing on stage. In addition to special invitations to private concerts, Sostenuto members receive priority notice to purchase tickets to performances, invitations to designated staging and chorus rehearsals, and opportunities to meet composers and singers. This is a unique way to witness firsthand the preparation, hard work and dedication that combine to produce magic when transported to the stage. You also receive invitations to exclusive opening-night receptions as part of this top-tier club at Festival Opera. 
   And you can enjoy all of these benefits simply by donating at the $1,000 level or higher -- that's only $83 a month to be included among Festival Opera's most valued circle of supporters. We can set up a regular charge to your credit card for $83 per month or any amount you specify.   
   Donate now or call for more information 925.944-9610, and you can
begin enjoying the world of opera from an insider's perspective.
  
Advisory Council 2016 Kickoff 
Welcome Party in Alamo    
   
Dr. D.V. Giri  
Dr's. D.V. (Dave) Giri and his wife, Vasanta Giri, were the gracious hosts of the first 2016 Advisory Council gathering at their home in Alamo, California. Dr. Giri is an author and world-renowned expert in Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse, High Power Microwaves, Lightning, and Ultra Wideband who consults for the U.S. Government as well as industry. Dr. Vasanta Giri is a psychiatrist. The Giris first became involved with Festival Opera through community engagement activities the company held in the months leading up to the performances of Savitri and River of Light. - to which they also contributed. They joined longtime Festival Opera supporter Diane Mauch, president of the Rossmoor Opera Club, and former Festival Opera board director, David Kingsbury as new members of the Advisory Council.
    The Council enjoyed an array of Indian appetizers as the group made plans for a new event, to be called "Instant Replay" -- a small screening of a past Festival Opera production. The Giri's will host an Instant Replay of the double-bill of Indian chamber operas at their home. All Instant Replay events are open to Sostenuto members and specially invited guests; however if you are interested, please email for more information.   
Contact Us
Festival Opera
1630 North Main Street, #61 
Walnut Creek, California 94596   
925.944.9610
 
Sara Nealy - General Director
Dick Brundage, CBC - Marketing Director  
______________________     
 
Board of Directors    
Susie Hanson, Chair
Peter Johnson, Vice Chair 
David Baer, Secretary  
Jennifer Kwock-Lau - Treasurer  
 
Nina Bancroft Dickerson 
Bernice Greene
Diane Heald
Steve Morris        
           
COMING AUGUST 2016
"Star Trek Meets Mozart" Mashup:
Abduction from the Seraglio 
August 4, 6, 7 and 9 

Next Issue: "To Boldly Go Where No Opera Has Gone Before"
  
  
Calendar              

February 2016
February 18    
6:00 pm    
(Location sent to members)     
*Members Only    
Festival Opera Annual *Members Meeting & Wine Tasting Party 
April 2016
April
(date and venue TBA)

April 17
3:00 pm 
(Location TBA)
Starship Mozart Benefit Dinner Party

Chorus Reunion
&  Opera Sing-a-Long
August 2016
August 4, 6, 7 and 9 
(venue TBA)

Mozart's
Abduction from the Seragli o
October 2016
(date and venue TBA)
Workshop: Wang Jie's
From The Land Fallen
December 2016
Round Hill Country Club, Alam o
2016 Holiday Gala
  
MemberBecome a Member!
$100 per Year to be a Member
 
   A donation of $100 or more qualifies you as a member of Festival Opera and includes your invitation to vote and participate at the Annual Meeting. Other benefits can include preferred seating at FO productions, invitations to rehearsals, special events, private concerts and much more.
   As a member, you will receive a letter and/or email informing you of the time and location of the Annual Meeting & Wine Tasting event scheduled for February 18.
   If you are not already a member,
please join now by making your donation of $100 or more. Or call 925 -944-9610 to donate by phone. All donations are tax-deductible, and an acknowledgement letter will be sent.  
 
Your gift helps ensure the future of Festival Opera. Thank you!

  
In Memoriam
Barbara Sellers and Frank Morgan
 
   We mark the passage of two Festival Opera family members in this New Year.

   Barbara Sellers
served as treasurer of the Festival Opera Guild and was a board director at Festival Opera, leaving the board in 2008. Professionally, she was one of the top five retail furniture salespeople nationally at Cort Furniture Solutions. Prior to her sales career, Barbara was a health benefits administrator and social worker. She was also a member of the East Bay Chapter of the San Francisco Opera Guild. Barbara was a member of Festival Opera's marketing committee and an office volunteer.


   Frank Morgan had a high-powered career in public relations and publishing, and was a founding editor at Inc Magazine. He was an opera lover, a ,member of the Rossmoor Opera Club, a valued patron of Festival Opera, and friend.

They will both be remembered fondly and missed.