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Finding Aid for the Opera Pacific Records
2009.05.r
2009.05.r
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Table of contents
Title: Opera Pacific Records
Identifier/Call Number: 2009.05.r
Contributing Institution:
Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Leatherby Libraries
One University Drive
Orange, CA, 92866
(714) 532 - 7711
rboyd@chapman.edu
Language of Material:
English.
Physical Description:
57.5 Linear feet
(46 cartons)
Date (inclusive): 1962-2008
Abstract: These papers contain extensive material relating to the productions and operation of the Opera Pacific theater group that
operated in Orange County from 1962 until 2008
Conditions Governing Access note
This collection is open for research.
The material in this collection is under copyright by the various artists who originally produced it. It is the responsibility
of the researcher to obtain permission to use any material from this collection from the original artists.
[identify item], Opera Pacific Records (2009.05.r), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman
University, CA.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The Opera Pacific Records were donated to the Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives by William Hall,
DMA.
Opera Pacific traces its roots to 1962 and the Festival of Opera Association in Laguna Beach, CA. These early productions
were sung in English and performed during late summer at the Irvine Bowl.
Then the Opera League of Laguna Beach, coordinated by Velma Sun and with Nunzio Crisci as managing director, was created to
encourage and sustain interest in the Festival of Opera. In the early 1980s, members of the Laguna organization and other
opera lovers from Orange County joined together in anticipation of the opening of the Orange County Performing Arts Center
in Costa Mesa. Opera Pacific was incorporated in 1983 as the county's resident opera company.
1985 was the opening season for the new company with David DiChiera as general director. The company put on an average of
six productions per season and also hosted an "Opera Camp" geared to educating young people in appreciating opera.
On November 4, 2008 the announcement was made that the remainder of the 2008 was being cancelled and Opera Pacific closed
down all operations soon after due to financial difficulties.
Approx. 46 cartons of production books, promotional material and audio/visual material from Opera Pacific, 1962-2008.
This collection is arranged in series by material type.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hall, William, DMA
Opera Pacific.
Lyric Opera Association of Orange County
Opera Pacific