Festival Opera's inside circle of support is called the Sostenuto Society. Each year, these committed arts patrons provide a substantial portion of the community-based foundation needed for the season.

Patrice Houston

    Sunday, March 8 at 2pm, Festival Opera's Sostenuto Society will meet in a private home for a concert by Festival Opera favorite, mezzo-soprano Patrice Houston. Ms. Houston has appeared in many Festival Opera productions and concerts, such as Verdi's
Un Ballo in Maschera (2005),     Sostenuto members -- donors of $1,000 or more per year -- have an inside connection to Festival Opera, with exclusive access to private concerts with principal artists, opportunities to attend designated staging and chorus rehearsals, updates and invitations to exclusive opening-night intermezzo receptions at the Lesher Center. Sostenuto Society members are invited to several private concerts each year. These exclusive receptions, held in private East Bay homes, feature vocal performances by some of Festival Opera's brightest stars.
   Are you already contributing $500 within a year? This could be the perfect time to step up to become a sustaining member of Festival Opera. If you are interested in becoming a Sostenuto member or learning more, please contact Sara Nealy, General Director by calling 925.944.9610  or by email.
 

Scott Bearden, Patrice Houston and members of Festival Opera Chorus  in Verdi's Il Trovatore (2008)

Patrice Houston as Ulrica in 2005 production of Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera