Agency Details:

Martinez Opera Contra Costa

The mission of the opera company is to establish a center where children, teens and adults can experience and be part of a classical arts organization dedicated to education and appreciation of the fine art of opera and classical music. Martinez Opera Contra Costa is dedicated to providing the community with numerous programs that engage all socioeconomic levels, age groups, and ethnticities. Martinez Opera Contra Costa is committed to the realization of the “Contra Costa County Cultural Plan”, prepared by the Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County, which emphasizes the importance of arts education, outreach and advocacy through the non-profit arts sector .

Description:
MTZO presents itself as the first professional Opera company to set its roots in the city of Martinez. The long awaited arrival of the dormant company will offer numerous productions and programs to stimulate and develop the classical arts in Contra Costa County and the surrounding communities. With a committed staff of Conductors, Directors, Coaches and Advisors, MTZO will provide the community with productions of the highest quality as well as introduce programs that reach children, teens and adults.

History:
The Martinez Opera Company was originally founded in 1889 by Professor Walter Bartlett of Boston, the first opera company in California. At that time Martinez was the cultural center of Contra Costa County. After lying dormant for fifty years, it was reinstated as a non-profit organization in 2002 by a dedicated group of conductors, directors, artistic advisors, musicians and community members passionately committed to reviving the classical arts in the city of Martinez and throughout Contra Costa County.

The principal founder and President is Maria Billingsley, a resident of Martinez for 23 years. Her vision is to establish a center where children, teens and adults can experience and be part of a classical arts organization dedicated to education and appreciation of the fine art of opera and classical music. Her goals are to provide Contra Costa County with a cultural center that performs full scale professional operatic productions as well as offer the communities cross cultural experiences that educate, promote community involvement, engage youth and their families and advocate classical cultural experiences on a full time basis.

Contact person: Maria Billingsley, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (925) 293-0258

Address:

1211 Grandview Ave Martinez, CA 94553 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.MTZO.com

Directions:

pacheco, to Melus , to Grandview.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: pine st,   Walk distance (in minutes): 10   Nearest Bus Stop: Pine, 10 minute walk

Last updated on June 27, 2009