Music and theatre history is filled with legendary “incompletions.” Among them,
Schubert had his inexplicable “Unfinished Symphony,” Mozart’s mysterious death
yielded his fragmented Requiem, and cancer prevented Puccini from providing a final
scene for Turandot. Now, the tragic viru crisis has caused the entire performing arts
world to cut short its finales for the 2019-2020 season.
"At Knoxville Opera we unfortunately had to cancel 25 presentations in schools and
community venues including the Tennessee Premiere of Okoye’s Harriet Tubman and
the 19th Annual Knoxville Opera Rossini Festival," said Brian Salesky, the opera's Executive and Artistic Director. "However, prior to mid-March, we had a robust “banner year” providing 75 programs for about 10,000 students and 11,000
adults." These included Madama Butterfly and Romeo et Juliette at the Tennessee
Theatre, the 11th Annual Knoxville Opera Goes to Church concert at New Covenant
Baptist Church, and 17 performances of Romeo and Juliet in schools. In addition, the opera's
vital relationship with the University of Tennessee provided 75 performing opportunities
for 26 current and former UT School of Music students.
"During the crisis, even though our building has been closed, we have continued to work
every day on fundraising and making contingency plans for a 2020-2021 season. With
patience, caution, perseverance, and creativity, we look forward to serving you, our East
Tennessee community, with glorious music and theatre again – as soon as possible," added Salesky.