A Night for New Orleans with Placido Domingo

A Night for New Orleans with Placido Domingo

New Orleans Opera Association presents a Gala Benefit Concert March 4, 2006 at The New Orleans Arena - 7:30 PM www.neworleansarena.com

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The long term impact of Hurricane Katrina, the worst natural disaster in American history, is still incalculable. Many thousands of residents lost everything and the local economy in New Orleans is still reeling. New Orleans' arts organizations are struggling with the displacement of singers, orchestral players, dancers and actors. As one of the United States' most historic cities, we realize the value of arts and culture and our spirits remain strong.

New Orleans is known for its distinctive musical heritage. Not only the birth place of truly American music like Jazz, but well over two hundred years ago, the first operatic performances on the North American continent were given here. As plans for the Gala develop it is apparent that the cultural arts community, in Phoenix fashion, will rise above the despair of destruction and let great music symbolize the power of the indomitable human spirit. Placido Domingo's own personal statement for this gala, a variation of Shakespeare's "If music be the food of love," is "MUSIC IS THE VOICE OF HOPE!"

* Confirmed Artists as of January 17, 2006 Placido Domingo, Denyce
Graves, Paul Groves and Nathan Gunn

* Tickets range from $10 to $1000. NOW ON SALE. Call the New Orleans
Opera Box Office at 504-529-3000

* Patrons with premium seating will receive VIP Parking, a Champagne
Patron Party before the Gala and "Dinner with the Stars" immediately
following. These events are sponsored by the Women's Guild of the New
Orleans Opera Association.

* Music performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Maestro Robert Lyall.

* New Orleans Opera Chorus to perform under the direction of ChorusMaster,
Carol Rausch

* Sponsor -- Mrs. Betty Brooks Doss in memory of Mr. James Brooks.

The New Orleans Opera Association is launching the cultural season for our city, helping to solidify the future for the Arts in "America's First City of Opera". No other city in the Western Hemisphere can lay claim to a greater operatic tradition than New Orleans, with its first opera performances on May 22, 1796, Gretry's Sylvain. In the 19th century over 400 operas received their U.S. premieres in New Orleans -- more than any other American city.

CONTACT: Janet Wilson, Director of Marketing
504-529-3000
janet@neworleansopera.orghttp://www.neworleansopera.org/

Source: New Orleans Opera Association

CONTACT: Janet Wilson, Director of Marketing, +1-504-529-2278, ext. 225,
janet@neworleansopera.org, of New Orleans Opera Association

Web site: http://www.neworleansopera.org/

-------
Profile: intent