Kentucky Opera in Louisville, KY
The opera has always been a popular type of music for listening enjoyment. Although many feel only the rich go to the opera, more and more people are learning what the opera is all about and how enjoyable it can be to listen to and attend. The Kentucky Opera, founded in 1952, is a very important part of the culture of Louisville, KY. Moritz von Bomhard is the many the residents of Kentucky can thank for bringing them this memorable music, which was originally held in the Columbia Auditorium until it was moved in 1964 to the Brown Theatre. The Bomhard Theatre, part of the Kentucky Center for the Arts, was named after him.
The Kentucky Opera has grown from a small musical group to an respectable and well-loved company that presented excellent productions for many audiences. The Kentucky Opera has been in many locations in the 50 years it's been around from the Columbian Auditorium to its present location in the Kentucky Center.
It has made many memorable and famous performances for the public. When Maestro von Bomhard was in charge, at least once each year there was a Louisville premier. As a means to get the young people involved in the opera and music in general, the Kentucky Opera started a program that trains teachers to help students to develop their own opera. They do all their own work from librettos, designing sets, writing the music and making the costumes to every last detail. They then have to perform it in front of a live audience. The Rudd Program for Young Artists is another program to help encourage and help young students in their music career.
The Kentucky Opera is kept going with the help of ticket sales, the Fund for the Arts, individual as well as corporate sponsors, the Kentucky Arts Council and annual car raffles, wine auctions and fundraisers. It is now a leader in the world of music and one of the great operas.
