Palm Springs Opera Guild

The Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert’s 16th annual presentation of "Opera in the Park" is scheduled for Sunday, April 6th, at Sunrise Park in Palm Springs. This exceptional day of beautiful music in the welcoming ambience of a sunny afternoon in the park draws 6,000-plus music lovers every year. At a production cost of over $95,000, it is the Guild’s most important event of the season. Mayor Stephen P. Pougnet of the city of Palm Springs recognizes the Guild as one of the valley’s major cultural institutions, and welcomes all to this free performance of talented opera singers backed up by a 26-piece orchestra. Bring your chairs for setting on the grounds or purchase shaded tent space in advance. Vendors will be there with food and drinks to purchase or, as many do, you can just bring your own. The Palm Springs Opera Guild Orchestra is led by Conductor Valery Ryvkin, formally of the Santa Barbara Opera, and aided by Music Director Mona Lands. The singers typically comprise eight to ten unbelievably talented performers singing arias from noted operas. The program is under the direction of Artistic Director Mick Cressey and Executive Producer Bruce Johansen. Opera Guild President Terry Hendrix says, "It is truly a day to enjoy something very special in a magnificent setting."

The Palm Springs Opera Guild of the Desert was cofounded in 1968 by Vicki Malouf and Diva Lily Pons. It serves as a cultural organization promoting opera through the delivery of quality operatic performances to a large and diverse audience throughout the Coachella Valley. The Guild helps ensure the future of the art form by encouraging and supporting young singers and providing financial assistance, organizing performance opportunities and coordinating student and adult outreach programs. The winter Vocal Competition, usually held in December, helps young artists to advance their careers by giving them an opportunity to perform before a live audience and compete for valuable scholarships. Many of the competition winners are currently singing with major opera companies in cities around the world such as Vienna, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome, as well as here in the United States at the New York Metropolitan Opera, the Los Angeles Opera, the San Diego Opera and the Santa Fe Opera. Opera Outreach introduces operatic music to 12,000 students, which they will very likely enjoy throughout their lives. enjoy throughout their lifetimes.