LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Syracuse Opera for its 35 years of grand
operatic tradition

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
organizations within our midst which have demonstrated consistent excel-
lence while bringing great pride and enjoyment to the citizens of our
great State; and
WHEREAS, One such organization is Syracuse Opera, which is celebrating
its 35th anniversary this year with a festive cocktail party on Friday,
July 17, 2009, at the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of Syracuse Opera is to enrich the lives of the
people of Upstate New York through locally produced opera - the one all
inclusive art form that celebrates the beauty of the human singing voice
energized through the spectacle of live theater; and
WHEREAS, Syracuse Opera is the only year-round professional opera
company serving Upstate New York; the company produces three mainstage
operas each season and provides year-round outreach and educational
programs; and
WHEREAS, For its mainstage productions, Syracuse Opera hires the Syra-
cuse Symphony Orchestra and Syracuse Opera Chorus, and performs in the
Crouse-Hinds Concert Theater of the Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse, New
York; and
WHEREAS, In its 2008-09 season, Syracuse Opera produced three uniquely
different, yet equal acclaimed mainstage productions; it also introduced
its first ever community-wide literacy initiative, which paired under-
served middle school girls with volunteer mentors to read the book
LITTLE WOMEN together and attend the opera of the same name; and
WHEREAS, In that same season, Syracuse Opera introduced Resident
Artists to the Central New York community and schools, exposing adults,
children, and college students to educational programs and off-beat
fringe operas; and
WHEREAS, For its 2009-10 season, Syracuse Opera is partnering with the
Everson Museum of Art and its exhibition, Turner to Cezanne, and will
bring the famous 1874 Pierre-Auguste Renoir blue dress painting, La
Parisienne, to life on stage as the costume of the lead character, Mimi,
in its fall production of "La Boheme"; and
WHEREAS, Noted for high-quality, theatrical productions that star
young singing-actors, Syracuse Opera productions have been compared
favorably to those of the New York City and Glimmerglass Operas; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Syracuse Opera for its 35 years of grand operatic tradition; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Catherine Wolff, General and Artistic Director of Syracuse
Opera.