Mission and History

Mission Statement

The mission of Austin Lyric Opera is to provide operatic performances and education programs that meet and preserve the highest standards of artistic excellence that culturally enrich the lives of Texans. This commitment is comprised of four essential goals:

1. Creating operatic productions that attain the highest artist standards;
2. Conveying the operatic art form in ways that make it intellectually and financially accessible to the most diverse as possible audience;
3. Providing lifelong educational opportunities and programming to the community, regardless of skill, ethnicity, orientation or financial ability;
4. Ensuring the future of the organization through consistent and responsible resource management.

History

Founded in May 1986 as Austin’s first professional opera company, Austin Lyric Opera (ALO) has become a cultural touchstone for the fine arts community in the Central Texas region and has gained national acclaim as a producer of great opera. Co-founders Joseph McClain and the late Dr. Walter Ducloux envisioned a dynamic company that would enrich, entertain, and educate the community. In January 1987, the sold-out inaugural production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” debuted to rave reviews. “One could not hope for a more polished first showing,” praised an Austin critic.

Austin Lyric Opera is committed to producing and promoting outstanding opera that will entertain, enrich and educate the central Texas community.  ALO is a cultural destination for the community that delivers an extraordinary experience; a creative environment that challenges the misconceptions of the art form; enables lifelong learning; and celebrates the diversity that makes Austin unique.

A consistently excellent program selection fused with major international artists, directors, and designers has won acclaim for the company locally, nationally and internationally. ALO operas consistently garner praise for production value, vocal artistry, set design and the leadership of Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Richard Buckley. Internationally known singers such as, Carol Vaness, Greer Grimsley, Lyubov Petrova, Stephen Costello, Lise Lindstrom, and Sandra Piques Eddy have all graced the opera stage and delighted Austin audiences.

ALO is committed to maintaining the highest standards of artistic integrity.  Works from previous seasons include Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking,” Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Rodriguez’s “La Curandera,” Puccini’s “La bohème,” Verdi’s “La Traviata,” and Puccini’s “Turandot.” The artistry and musical excellence for which ALO is known continues in the company’s performance home, The Joe R. and Teresa Long Center for the Performing Arts and its acoustically noteworthy Dell Hall.