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[[image - black and white photograph of Walter M. Dawson]]
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WALTER M. DAWSON
Publicity Director
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History

The National Negro Opera Company was organized and founded in Pittsburgh by Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941. It was incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1942 for the expressed purpose of affording for the Negro artist the opportunity for the fullest expression in cultural development. Its specific interest concerns the hallowed realm of opera - a realm which has been consistently closed to the Negro singer, and its aim is to open wide the door.

The repertoire of the National Negro Opera Company currently contains three operas, namely: Aida and La Traviata be Verdi, and aust by Gounod. Twelve distinctive performances have been presented in New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D. C., and the Syria Mosque, Pittsburgh.

At present, there are numerous chapters located in various parts of the country: New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Washington, Cleveland, Detroit, and Beckley, W. Va. 

The greatest care has been taken to present the production in the most elaborate settings - settings which have been compared favorably with those o the leading world operatic companies. No expense has been spared in securing not only auditoriums offering the best in acoustics, seating and stage capacity, but great concern has been taken in the selection of costumes, stage decorations and stage directing. Every effort has been taken to make for a perfect operatic illusion.

In a word, the National Negro Opera Company has been formed to provide opportunity for the Negro singer with operatic capacity, the ballet dance, the opera composer and the operatic chorus. 

Thanks

May we extend our deep and sincere appreciation to our sponsors, patrons, advertisers, ushers, and friends who, in many ways, have helped to make this estival a sucess and thereby have aided considerably the Opera Fund.

The National Negro Opera Company
and Its Affiliated Guilds