More than 25 years ago, Mary Ragland almost single-handedly brought opera to our community through her extraordinary efforts as founder and first president of Nashville Opera. With degrees from the Newcomb and Juilliard Schools of Music, a professional career as a soprano, and membership on both the Board and National Council of the Metropolitan Opera, Mary’s dream is being realized as the Nashville Opera Association is one of the fastest-growing opera companies in the United States. Today, they offer four professional mainstage productions and tour a fully staged children’s opera to area schools each year. Mary, who died in 1999, left a bequest from her estate to set up this Fund, which will ensure that her vision of opera in Music City will be sustained.
Established in 2000
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