The Opera Foundation was originally launched in 1985 as the American Berlin Opera Foundation. Its purpose is to support young American opera singers abroad via scholarships and study grants, to foster cross cultural ties between Europe and the United States. The first scholarship program was established in 1986 with the Deutsche Oper Berlin, thanks to the late Professor Götz Friedrich. In 2008, a second scholarship program was established with Teatro Regio Torino, thanks to Maestro Gianandrea Noseda and the initiative of Fiorenza Scholey-Cohen. In 2012, we are pleased to announce a 3rd scholarship program with the Munich Staatsoper. The Foundation has awarded more than 45 scholarships since inception, including study grants for voice coaching and linguistic purposes. The Opera Foundation is proud in the fact that many of our singers have gone on to build long lasting careers in the operatic world beyond our programs. Please click on our "Introduction" page to view a short film on our history and programs.
The idea to establish the first scholarship program was the brainchild of Professor Götz Friedrich, the legendary "Intendant" and creative force behind the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Professor Friedrich, along with his American-born wife, the soprano, Karan Armstrong, together with an enthusiastic group of New York-based supporters, envisioned this program for young American singers as a cross-cultural bridge between the United States and Germany. In 2008 this cross-cultural bridge was extended to include Italy and the Teatro Regio di Torino.
For the past 26 years, the Foundation's supporters have expanded to include individuals and corporations from all over the world, drawing from the rich cultural and corporate diversity of New York City and its environment. In 2006, the Foundation changed its name to The Opera Foundation, in recognition of its more diverse contributor base and expanding scholarship activities throughout the world.
It is the Opera Foundation's goal to continue expanding its scholarship activities where it believes it can make a difference in the development of young opera talent, in the spirit of cultural exchange between the United States and beyond.
Trustees
Dr. Martin Bussmann
Patrick Carmody
Stephanie Denkowicz
Cecilia Dupire
Katherine Fürstenberg-Raettig
Bernhard Koepp
Philip Lasser
Sherif Lotfi
Dr. Daniel Mahler
Antonella Massari
Joseph Oughourlian
Elizabeth Walbröl
Officers
Bernhard Koepp
President
Elizabeth Walbröl
Executive Director
Sherif Lotfi
Treasurer
Stephanie Denkowicz
Secretary
Founders
Karan Armstrong
Joseph Bennett
George Berlstein
Christa (Dixy) Drechsler †
Professor Götz Friedrich †
Princess Tassilo von Fürstenberg †
Dr. Jesus Lopez-Cobos
Dr. Bernd von Maltzan
Maria McRae
Dr. Alard von Rohr
Albert B. Shepard †
Amy Sperling
Elizabeth A. Voight
Presidents
Dr. Bernd-A. von Maltzan (1986-1990)
Dr. Stephan Hess (1990-1991)
Alexander T. Ercklentz (1991-2006)
Bernhard Köpp (2006-present)
Executive Directors
Christa (Dixy) Drechsler (1986-1994)
Elizabeth Walbröl (1994-present)
Secretaries
George Berlstein (1986-2005)
Stephanie Denkowicz (2005-present) |
