Amarillo Opera was founded in April 1988 by Mila Gibson, who was Opera Workshop
and Vocal Professor at Amarillo College from 1982-2000. The first production
was Puccini's Madama Butterfly which was produced, directed, costumed,
publicized, and the title role performed by Gibson. The production was a huge
success and the Founding Board of Directors was established with Dr. Merrill
and Catherine Winsett, H.R. And Thelma Fulton and Gibson as the Founding
Directors.BRAVO!, the AO membership support group, was established one year
later with 75 members. The Founding BRAVO! President was Dr. Bill Byrd. A
strong working relationship with AmarilloCollege enabled the fledging
company to grow artistically, financially, and administratively. The community college
continues to provide administrative facilities, rehearsal and performing
spaces, support personnel, an artist-in-residence, two accompanists, and a line
item budget in excess of $25,000 to assist with production expenses. In 1995
Amarillo Opera was accepted as a professional member of Opera America. That
same year the main stage performances were moved from the 240 seat AC Concert
Hall Theater to the 2300 seat Civic Center Auditorium. Spring 2006, the Opera
will become one of the 3 resident companies for the Globe-NewsCenter for the Performing Arts.
Amarillo Opera has received the Success Award from Opera America for its
internationally acclaimed Education/Outreach programs. It also has been
recognized by the State of Texas Senate
and House, Texas Commission on the Arts, Texas Parent Teacher Associations,
Texas Regulatory and Protective System, the NAACP, the Amarillo Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce, the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, and several other
statewide organizations. Opera America
selected Amarillo Opera to be one of the first companies to receive the Opera
Fund grant in 2004.
