A Big Gift for the Opera’s Big Birthday

Opera Orlando is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a $125,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation for the Company’s 10th Anniversary season. The gift comes at an exciting time for the organization following its biggest and most successful season to date, surpassing $3 million in annual revenues and reaching over 100,000 individuals through their events. Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation president and CEO David Odahowski praised the opera for its exponential growth, strong fiscal position, and stewardship over the past nine seasons.

“We have been honored to support Opera Orlando from its beginning in 2016,” shared David Odahowski. “We were also one of the first supporters of the Company’s The Mozart Dinner at Steinmetz Hall and were captivated by the artistry, elegance, and revelry of that event. Earlier this year, we toured behind the scenes and visited the Opera’s shop space where local carpenters and painters build original sets and original costumes to go on stage or on tour in the schools. This gave us an even deeper appreciation for having a performing arts institution like Opera Orlando serving our community.”

The $125,000 grant from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation will support the Opera’s new, expanded shop space where sets are built and stored while also underwriting the hiring of a new full-time marketing director for the organization. Opera Orlando has already rented and sold some of its original sets and costumes in the past to companies from Montana to Georgia. With the newly expanded shop space and support from Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation, the Company can store and rent more of its sets, creating an increased alternate revenue stream. Similarly, the investment in marketing staff will help boost the Company’s 10th Anniversary season campaign in hopes of capturing new audiences and continuing the strong history of financial growth that the Company has experienced year by year. 

“This is truly an exciting time for Opera Orlando, and we cannot thank Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation enough for their amazing support, not just this season but from the beginning,” said Opera Orlando board chair Roseann Harrington who serves as chief of staff for Orange County mayor Jerry Demings. “We are excited about our 10th Anniversary season and have pulled out all the stops to provide our audiences with an outstanding lineup of mainstage performances, new events, and more shows out in the community.” 

“With recent arts funding cuts at the state and federal government levels, this amazing support from the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation is truly remarkable and so deeply appreciated,” said Gabriel Preisser, general director of Opera Orlando. “We are grateful to our patrons and donors who have purchased season tickets and increased levels of contribution to make this season possible. Opera Orlando belongs to our community, and we hope everyone will “Celebrate with Us” as the Opera turns 10.”

In May of 2026, Opera Orlando has added a season-end celebration concert entitled A Decade of Divas featuring some of the most famous stars from the Company’s first 10 years singing opera and Broadway hit tunes. The event will include longstanding partner the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra on stage at Steinmetz Hall with the Opera Orlando Chorus and Youth Company for an evening of incredible music, mischief, and merriment. The Company has also added a fall fundraiser to help support its growing education programs which include the Opera Orlando Youth Company, Studio Artists and Apprentice Artists programs, and the SINGS! summer intensive. This event will take place on October 25 at the Grand Bohemian Orlando, where Opera Orlando presented its first gala 10 years ago, and is called The Operazzi Bash: a grand masque. These events are in addition to the Company’s annual Summer Concert Series, Opera Xperience series, Masterclass with the Maestro series, Shop Tours, and, of course, the ever-popular The Mozart Dinner.

In addition to the new marketing hire which will be announced soon, the Company has also added Maggie Gifford as education assistant, to its staff and two new board members, Tiffany Jeffers and Arnaldo Oliveiras.

Review Opera Orlando upcoming events at OperaOrlando.org, and purchase Opera on the MainStage subscriptions through the Dr. Phillips Center’s Bill & Mary Darden Box Office (445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando), online at www.DrPhillipsCenter.org, or by calling (407) 358-6603. Subscriptions are sold exclusively through Dr. Phillips Center and start at $99. Take advantage of a 10% discount on A Decade of Divas tickets when added to the subscription package.

See YOU at the Opera!

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