About
Opera San Luis Obispo (OperaSLO), formerly known as Pacific Repertory Opera (PRO), is the only professional opera company in San Luis Obispo County. Founded by Dr. Jill Anderson and the late Jean Cook, Opera San Luis Obispo presented its first-ever performance on June 4, 1985 at a "brown-bag" concert at Linnaea's Coffee House in downtown San Luis Obispo. The program featured scenes from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart and Der Rosenkavalier by R. Strauss. They were performed with costumes and props, but not much else. Over the next two decades, Opera San Luis Obispo grew from those simple scenes to fully staged professional productions, utilizing rising singers from SLO County and all over the country, plus local performers for orchestra and chorus.
For 26 years, Opera San Luis Obispo has been San Luis Obispo County's "voice of the opera". OperaSLO offers a variety of opera productions, from familiar favorites such as La bohème and Tosca, to more unusual compositions such as Fidelio and Red Cloud. There is something for everyone who enjoys the artistic unity of good theater and music, the essence of opera.
Mission
Opera San Luis Obispo is a professional company committed to enhancing cultural life by producing excellent performances that entertain and inspire our audience.
Our Goals, Our Dreams
Opera San Luis Obispo is committed to four primary goals:
- Producing operas of the highest artistic quality.
- Bringing opera to a diverse audience of local residents and visitors.
- Providing educational opportunities for youth.
- Ensuring sound fiscal management through audience development and fundraising.
- Three operas each year.
- Young Artist and Resident Artist program.
- An increase in staff members to support these dreams.
