2004 Opera
'Madama Butterfly'
2006 Opera
'Don Giovanni'
2005 Opera
'Elixir of Love'
Founder
Tony P. Fazio
History of the Harrison Friends of the Opera
The Harrison Friends of the Opera is a non-profit organization that is sponsored by the town/village of Harrison. It began Thirty-five years ago in a small room at the public library as a vision from our Founder Tony P. Fazio. Tony believed that if more people were exposed to this fine art form they would grow to appreciate it as much as he did through out his life. Born into an Italian family that appreciated Opera, Tony grew up listening to many of them. As a young man he was not aware of how much of an impact Opera would have on his life and the amount of culture that he would later absorb from being exposed to Opera so early in life. He vowed to himself as he got older that he would make a difference in the lives of children and adults who did not have the same privilege of experiencing Opera as he did. As he began his experiment, he found that there were many people in the town of Harrison interested in Opera. Year after year, grew larger audiences and the venues continually changed to accommodate the growing number of attendees. Young and old, people have been coming to the Opera in Harrison since 1970. Through the Harrison recreation department and the Harrison Council for the Arts, the friends of the Opera have continuously provided cultural entertainment for It's residents .This season will be the thirty-seventh anniversary of bringing quality Opera performances to the town of Harrison.
The organization receives tax-deductible donations from organizations and residents to offset the costs of each production. Each year's performance, plays to a full house and standing room only. The cast members are well known regional artists, the stage sets and costumes are beautiful and there is always a full orchestra. Past Opera's have been attended by well over 700 people at the Harrison High school Auditorium. Based on our increasing notoriety however future performances have expanded to a larger more professional venue at the Performing Arts Center, at Purchase college.
The cost of this live performance will be significant. While the Harrison friends of the Opera are supported by the town of Harrison and the Harrison Council for the Arts, We are dependent on the generosity of residents, civic organizations and the Harrison business and corporate community to meet all the expenses. Philanthropic efforts have always played an important role in the history of this organization. Indeed the tradition of generous private support has long helped the Opera to survive here in Harrison In today's fast-paced world, it is now more important than ever to support the Opera - to ensure the survival of this Art form that has bought so much pleasure to the general public. Over the years it has touched and enhance many lives.
Although we have come a long way from the original experiment started thirty-five years ago, Tony still has his eyes set on the horizon. He is committed to seeing a theater built on Long Island sound, much like the Sydney Opera House in Australia. His dream is to be front row center at the first Opera performed on the water at Rye Playland by the future Harrison Opera Company. With his current track record and longevity, we are looking forward to joining him front and center. Naturally, you are all invited ! Please support the Arts in your community, you can never anticipate how it will effect you. If Tony 's enthusiasm for life is any indication that it works, just imagine what it can do for you. "take a chance" - Follow your heart, Come to the Opera, you'll be glad you did !
Tony P. Fazio was honored with the coveted Cab Calloway lifetime achievement award for advancing the participation of average Americans getting involved with the Arts and helping to quench a growing appetite for culture in our society ever since 1965, when the National Endowment for the Arts was established. Tony has also been honored by the Westchester Council of the Arts for his many accomplishments that has helped the arts prosper through out Westchester. Tony celebrates his eight-sixth birthday this year, but you would never know that to be in his presence. "his energy must truly be derived from the production of each Opera"