Credit: Bo Emerson
Credit: Bo Emerson
Bringing new audiences to the opera has been the mission of Tomer Zvulun, general and artistic director of the Atlanta Opera since 2013, and his efforts are being recognized internationally.
The Atlanta Opera has been nominated for an "accessibility" award by the International Opera Awards, the London-based organization charged with promoting opera around the globe.
The organization recognizes the best companies, performance and performers in 20 different categories, and past winners have come from Norway, Germany, Russia, France, Belgium, Italy, Austria and the U.S.
The accessibility nomination is a recognition of the attempt to expand the appeal of the art form.
"When Tomer arrived we made a conscious decision to not only build new audiences but broaden our overall appeal," said Bill Tucker, the Atlanta Opera's chairman of the board, in a statement.
The Atlanta Opera has pursued that goal by mounting new productions of old classics at the 2,700-seat Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre , and by programming the Discoveries series, which presents contemporary opera in smaller halls.
Some 40,000 patrons visited the Atlanta Opera this year , in a season with an expanded number of main stage performances and two contemporary offerings.
Five other opera companies were also nominated in the accessibility category; the Atlanta Opera is the only one from the U.S.
The winning companies in this and all other categories will be announced at the International Opera Awards gala in London on May 15.
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