"It is with great pride and pleasure that I accept the invitation to serve as chairperson for Opera Ebony, in its first nationwide fundraising effort. To continue the excellent performances of this opera company, is indeed a worthy endeavor."
Marian Anderson
"This remarkably talented group has greatly enriched New York City's cultural, artistic, and educational life."
(Office of the President of the Borough of Manhattan)
Proclamation in honor of Opera Ebony Day
Over the years, generous financial support has come from:
Exxon, Coors, Time / Warner Inc., Pfizer Inc., McDonald's, RCA, The Rockefeller Foundation, Avon Products, AT&T, The Mobil Foundation, Morgan Stanley Trust, Greenwall Foundation, The Jerome Foundation, The Mary Flagler Cary Character Trust, The Heathcote Art Foundation, The Florence V. Burden Foundation, Sullivan Music Foundation, The Linda Gale Sampson Charitable Trust, Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Lila Wallace / Readers' Digest Fund, National Endowment for the Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
The legendary Marian Anderson was Opera Ebony's first fundraising chairperson. World-famous operatic divas, Jessye Norman, Kathleen Battle, Martina Arroyo and Florence Quivar have given their support along with stage stars, Phylicia Rashad and Denzel Washington. George Shirley and the late William Warfield have served as Board members and guest artists.
First fundraising letter
from Marian Anderson in 1974
