PORTopera awarded NEA grant
PORTopera was awarded a grant of $15,000 from National Endowment for the Arts to support performances of Puccini's Madama Butterfly. This classic work will be accompanied by an exhibit of rarely seen photographs illustrating the story's historical context, which will introduce audience members to the long-standing relationship between Maine and Japan dating back to the late 19th century. The exhibit is supported also by a grant from Opera Volunteers International.
Become a PORTopera Supporter!
There are several ways to help PORTopera in its mission of creating full productions of grand opera for Maine audiences. Financial support is primary and represents about 30% of PORTopera's total income.
Individual Support
Our patrons include many hundreds from Maine and elsewhere. We also invite the help of private foundations. You are invited to participate in our current campaign — and many thanks!
For your convenience, we now accept online donations through our secure donation page.
Volunteer support is always a need, too.
Corporate Support
A large number of Greater Portland businesses have underwritten PORTopera productions.
They include those listed at right to name but a few. 
If your company has interest in joining this group, please contact us.
Shop PORTopera!
Purchases through the PORTopera store help fund our programs and operas. Items currently include Cucina del Bel Canto (the first official PORTopera cookbook), a sterling silver pendant, and a beautiful opera themed silk scarf.
Spring Sunset Serenade
at Walkers Point
Enjoy food, drink and song with Nina Tilander,
soprano, Shannon Rolbeicki, mezzo-soprano,
Aaren Rivard, tenor, Derek Herzer, piano
Saturday, May 12, 2012
5:00-7:00 PM
at the home of
Thomas Jordan and Carl Gatto
228 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport
$50 per person to support PORTopera’s 2012 production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly
Kindly RSVP by April 27
Information: (207) 879-7678
Who will be Cio-Cio San?
Somewhere, at this very minute, an immensely talented, young soprano may know or may not know that Dona D. Vaughn is searching for her. She is the perfect Cio-Cio San for PORTopera’s summer festival, and if anyone can find her Dona D. Vaughn can.
Artistic Director of Opera Programs at Manhattan School of Music and PORTopera’s Artistic Director since 2003, Ms. Vaughn’s resume is impeccable in the world of performance artistry.
From 1998 to 2009, she was Stage Director/Acting Coach for the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. She judges vocal competitions with the Metropolitan Opera National Council and Italy’s Premio Spiros Argiris International Competition (to name but two), and conducts master vocal classes across the U.S. and Europe.
And somewhere our Cio-Cio San feels an almost imperceptible tingle that hints of some exciting new adventure. PORTopera’s stage at Merrill Auditorium is calling her.
