News Release

HUD AND THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL OPERA TEAM UP TO INTRODUCE LOW-INCOME YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE WORLD OF OPERA
Unique collaboration designed to open doors to careers in the Arts

WASHINGTON - When the curtain rises on the Washington National Opera's September 23rd performance of Puccini's La Bohème, the audience will include more than a thousand lower income young people across the country. U. S. Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Roy A. Bernardi and world-renowned tenor Placido Domingo will unveil a pilot program to introduce the world of opera, and all its employment opportunities, to young residents living in public and assisted housing.

Through this unique partnership, HUD and WNO will simulcast the live performance of La Bohème to young audiences living in public and other assisted housing developments in eight cities (Dallas; Los Angeles; Memphis; New York City; Santa Fe, New Mexico; San Jose, California; San Diego, California; and Washington, DC.).

"This exciting and innovative partnership with the Washington National Opera is the first of its kind for HUD," said Bernardi. "At Sunday's performance, we will not only be demonstrating career opportunities in the Arts, but we'll be providing a historic opportunity for these young men and women."

Placido Domingo, General Director of the WNO said, "Washington National Opera is excited and proud to be partnering with HUD in this unprecedented effort to bring live opera to designated HUD facilities around the nation. Not only will hundreds of citizens be able to enjoy a quality production of La Bohéme, but they will also discover how scores of people working backstage make opera performances a reality."

The goal of this of the partnership is to highlight the Intern/Apprenticeship programs offered by WNO and other opera companies. The WNO's Intern/Apprentice Program was created in Aug. 2003 to provide hands-on experience and on-the-job training for careers in arts administration, including artistic administration, special events planning, marketing and audience services, public relations, finance, opera production, and young artist programs.

For more information on this partnership and career opportunities available locally, go to HUD's website.

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