Induction ceremony will be July 29 in Central City

By Peter Alexander Feb. 2 at 2:16 p.m.

The Central City Opera (CCO) will be inducted in the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, in the Hall’s first “destination induction,” to be held in Central City on Saturday, June 29.

In addition to the company, opera singer/professionals Cynthia Lawrence and Keith MiIller, and CCO’s late conductor/artistic director John Moriarty will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Under the title “Opera in the High Country,” the ceremony in Central City will be hosted jointly by CCO and the City of Central, and will take place in conjunction with the opening night of a CCO production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance.

Scott Finlay, CCO’s president and CEO commented in a news release, “We are deeply honored to be receiving this recognition. Central City Opera’s 92 years of rich musical heritage is a testament to the dedication of our supporters, volunteers, artists, and staff who have made this milestone possible. This distinction is a tribute to their commitment.”

Officials from the Hall of Fame and the City of Central also released statements. Karen Radman, executive director the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, wrote: “Colorado Music Hall of Fame is honored to be presenting an opera-themed induction class for the first time, recognizing the important contributions that opera has made in music while expanding to a new musical genre for our inductees. Opera in the High Country, focused around the impressive and historic Central City Opera and those whose careers were influenced by it, also expands The Hall of Fame’s reach into the Colorado mountains.”

Central City Mayor Jeremy Fey wrote: “It is a great honor for Central City to host Colorado Music Hall of Fame. We are especially proud as Central City Opera, a pillar of Colorado’s cultural landscape for 92 years, leads the 2024 class of inductees.”

VIP tickets that include a reception, dinner and seating for the induction ceremony, as well as the CCO performance of Pirates of Penzance, are available through the CCO box office. 

Founded in 1932, Central City Opera is the fifth oldest opera company in the United States. With major performances in the Central City Opera House, a National Historic Landmark that predates the opera company by 54 years, the company offers an annual of summer festival of opera and classic music theater, as well as smaller events in Central City. CCO’s Bonfils-Stanton Foundation Artists Training Program, founded by Moriarty in 1978, contributes to the professional development of young artists, many of whom go on to major operatic and musical theater careers.