BINGHAMTON, NY – Today, Senator Webb delivered $125,000 to Tri-Cities Opera. The funding was provided for a full remodel of music education and production support spaces.

“This vital funding represents Senator Webb’s commitment to nurturing the First Ward of Binghamton and our greater community,” said John Rozzoni, General Director of Tri-Cities Opera. “These revitalized spaces in our historic building will serve the next generations of creatives and musicians for decades to come. We couldn’t be more grateful!” 

Said Senator Lea Webb, “I am honored to be able to provide this funding to Tri-Cities Opera to help them make important building improvements. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations and their audiences promote economic opportunities for other local businesses and restaurants. Theater performances bring new worlds and different stories to our community. Supporting artistic endeavors, especially local productions, is absolutely essential to community wellbeing.” 

Tri-Cities Opera was founded in 1949 by Peyton Hibbitt and Carmen Savoca in Binghamton, New York. Their Opera Company stages up to four full operas throughout the fall, winter, and spring months. In addition to their productions, they offer a high-quality Resident Artist Training Program and production area apprenticeships; a Set & Costume Rental business offering 20+ unique sets and costumes to other production companies; a suite of educational initiatives, including the TCO Creative Lab, Tri-Cities Youth Choir, and Opera-Go-Round touring productions, and unique programming throughout the community, such as their “Opera and Beer” event.

Senator Webb secured the funding for improvements to their building through the New York State Senate’s Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability, and Technology (CREST) Program. The CREST Program, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), provides reimbursement-based grants of capital costs for projects undertaken by eligible entities. 

Photos from the event can be found here. Video from the event can be found on YouTube. 

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