Viewing page 12 of 47

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

NATIONAL NEGRO OPERA FOUNDATION, INC.

Sixteen years ago, the National Negro Opera Company was only an idea in the mind of Mary Cardwell Dawson. Today, it is a growing organization, governed by a board of directors, proud of the sturdy progress in the quality of its productions, yet more and more aware of the potentialities for its greater growth under more generous support and financial assistance.

The Company has staged performances in Pittsburgh at the Syria Mosque; Chicago at the Civic Opera House and Coliseum; New York's Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, Town Hall and Metropolitan Opera House; Washington, D. C. at the Watergate and National Guard Armory.

The National Negro Opera Company, under Mme. Mary Cardwell Dawson's intrepid leadership, has given many stars, singers and dancers throughout the country their first opportunity in grand opera. By that same token many deserving individuals who otherwise could not afford it, have received valuable training, experience, inspiration, financial assistance and guidance through our opera company. Today, many of them have taken places of honor and distinction in the field of opera in this country. Rober McFerrin, the company's leading baritone, was the first Negro male to be assigned to the roster of the Stars of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Yes, The National Negro Opera Company has definitely made a valuable contribution to the cultural life of America. 

The National Negro Opera Company is neither endowed privately nor subsidized governmentally. It must depend, and rightfully so, on voluntary support by the people whose area it serves and enriches, for opera is an ornament in any city in which every one can take pride.

As a needed community enterprise to create an opportunity for wider developments in this all impressive field for gifted musicians and singers, the National Negro Opera Company merits community support. 

The National Negro Opera Company is worthy of your gift because of the incalculable inspiration and incentive it offers aspiring young artists with dreams of operatic accliam, but more important, because of the invaluable contribution it makes to the business and cultural life of the community.