OPERA NOVA Awards

Opera Volunteers International has given Opera NOVA of Arlington Va. two major awards for its performances for children and seniors.

The nonprofit that supports opera will provide $2,000 for Opera NOVA’s production of the the opera “La Cenerentola”, or Cinderella, which was being performed for school children in mid-March and will be shown to the general public June 29 and 30 at Gunston Middle School.

A major factor in the award was Opera NOVA’s achievement in getting children of imprisoned inmates to come to a performance for free.

Opera NOVA also won a Project of Special Merit award for its development of senior audiences for opera. “OVI recognizes Opera NOVA’s leadership and volunteer efforts in creating opportunities for seniors to lead a richer life through exposure to opera,” the citation said. The opera company has provided low-cost daytime concerts and opera performances for seniors for many years.

OVI has as its goal to “encourage the expansion and development of programs that recruit, develop or train volunteers for participation in all phases of opera company support.” Opera NOVA has previously won many local awards, including from the American Association of University Women.

“La Cenerentola” will be shown to the general public at 6 p.m. on June 30. First, there will be special performances for home schoolers, summer campers, paraochial, private and public school students on June 29 at 10:30 a.m. and to seniors at 2 p.m. June 29. On June 30 at 2 p.m., families of military personnel and children of imprisoned parents will see the program.

Opera NOVA’s president, Miriam Miller will receive the awards at OVI’s Lifting Many Voices conference in St. Louis June 20 to 23.

For information contact Opera NOVA @ mcdm1@verison.net /703-536-7557