Central City Opera Guild 2021 Winter Grapevine Newsletter

A PUBLICATION OF CENTRAL CITY OPERA GUILD - WINTER 2021

THE “PETIT” L’ESPRIT DE NOËL Celebrating the 44th Annual Holiday Home Tour AND the 1st in a Virtual Format.

THANK YOU WONDERFUL SPONSORS!

Enjoy the images here presented and know that YOU, as community, determined the possibility and the financial success of L’Esprit 2020.

Please take note of the Sponsors and Donors.

Whenever opportunites present themselves, let them know that you took notice and appreciate their Support and Generosity of Central City Opera. Special thanks to the owners of the Fisher Mansion. We are pleased to announce that as of press time, funds raised are over $58,000! Learn more: lesprithometour.com.

L’Esprit de Noël photos by Amanda Tipton

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2021 WINTER GRAPEVINE PRESIDENT’S LETTER Greetings beautiful Central City Opera Guild Volunteers! I am trying to wrap my head around how I will ever follow Karen Ritz as President. She has assured me she will be by my side whenever I need her. Karen, you are a true class act! The joy and love you have brought to the Presidency of the Guild has been fun to watch and be part of! Thank you! We hope and pray we will be able to hold all the exciting events that we have on this year’s calendar. The Guild has done an amazing job learning how to pivot and be innovative this year.

Le Petit L’Esprit de Noël was an amazing accomplishment! A gigantic thank you to Katie Grassby and Karen Ritz, our 2020 co-chairs and the committee for preserving and making this event transpire. Thank you also to the Central City Opera staff who helped us make friends with technology. I for one have had an incredibly dysfunctional relationship with technology! L’Esprit has raised $58,000 so far at the time we went to print. Thank you all for your donations!!

As we anticipate the vaccine, we wait with eagerness that we will once again meet and share a glass of cheer. Our Annual Meeting will be held on January 14, 2021 and will be a hybrid event. Please add this event to your calendar. Like Karen, I too will send emails in between newsletters to keep you informed and updated on our calendar of events. Please look for emails from Cindy@agingat5280.com. I am looking forward to a healthy 2021. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any suggestions, comments or support.

Sincerely, Cindy Koch

IN MEMORIAM Rosemary Priester (November 13, 2020) Lover of Opera and in regular attendance at Central City Opera performances for many years.

Mary Taylor, (November 26, 2020) Mother of Stephanie Tryba and aunt to Priscilla Mead long-time supporters of CCO Leo Rostermundt (November 29, 2020). Husband of Elizabeth, long time CCOHA Board and Central City Opera Guild Member. Elizabeth served as 1981 Guild President.

William Hiatt, MD (December 8, 2020). Husband of Susan, past CCOHA Board Member and longtime Central City Opera Guild Member. Susan served as 2004 Guild President.

CENTRAL CITY EDUCATION UPDATE! Central City Opera has continued providing programs and enrichment opportunities, despite the challenges of CoVid-19. All programs will be virtual until at least April, 2021. These programs include Opera Up Close which introduces students to the art form of opera, and Opera Up Close Video playlists. CCO has also created Master Classes for vocal health, audition techniques, stage makeup, diction for foreign languages, conducting, and much more. Yoga and The Voice Workshops and Digital Concerts by CCO Touring Artists are two other outreach opportunities. Music! Words! Opera! continues to provide educators with curriculum to introduce students to opera, and to create their own story and music. !

On Wednesday, December 16, Central City artists were able to perform in-person outside for caroling at Kavod Senior Life. All Covid-19 protocols followed. In February, Central City Opera is hosting a Poetry Out Loud Competition for high school students and CCO staff members will serve as judges. The winner will go on to the state competition presented by Lighthouse Writers Workshop on Monday, February 8.

We are all looking forward to resuming in-person educational shows and programs one day very soon. But until such time, we are grateful for the creative ways that our CCO Education team has provided ongoing educational and enrichment opportunities.

Learn more about our virtual offerings for students and learners of all kinds at centralcityopera.org/virtual-programming/ 2021 CENTRAL CITY OPERA GUILD TENTATIVE CALENDAR JAN 14 . . . . . . Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers 11 AM Wellshire Event Center (Adjustable) FEB 4. . . . . . . CCO Guild Board Meeting 10 AM Karen’s Home (or Zoom) MAR 11 . . . . . . Opera Teaser 5:45 PM Location TBD APR 1 . . . . . . . CCO Guild Board Meeting 10 AM Karen’s Home (or Zoom) APR 23. . . . . . Central City Opera Theatre of Dreams Gala 6:30 PM Location TBD MAY 6. . . . . . . Spring Membership Party 5:30 PM Location TBD DATE TBD. . . Youth Education, Opera and Art TBD Denver Art Museum MAY 13. . . . . . CCO Guild Board Meeting 10 AM Karen’s Home (or Zoom) MAY 15 & 19. . House Warming Days 10 AM Central City TBD. . . . . . . . . Apprentice Artist Picnic TBD Central City JUNE 2. . . . . . Planting Day in Central City 9 AM Guild Meeting, Zoom JUNE 19. . . . . Yellow Rose Ball, Presentation of Flower Girls 4 PM Central City JULY 11. . . . . . Opera Adventures 11:30 AM Central City

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2021 YELLOW ROSE BALL FLOWER GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS Dress Fitting highlights: As a temporary small gathering until the traditional Announcement Tea at the Governor’s Mansion, 2021 Flower Girls and mothers were invited in groups of four to come to the home of co-chair Liz Arnold to secure dress measurements, receive a book with bio information on the 33 girls who will be presented. Central City Opera’s Flower Girl liaison and new Development Director, Katie Nicholson, was on hand to greet mothers and daughters and gift each girl the traditional yellow long stem rose. The 2021 class represents 13 different high schools and families with strong ties to Central City.

Each of the 19 girls have a relative; mother, sister, aunt or cousin who was a Flower Girl. One girl’s grandfather worked in Central City and booked talent for the Opera.

Flower Girl advisor Kathy Tyree ordered masks in a yellow rose motif. Along with event co-chair, Katrina Benes, Kathy came to assist with measurements and meet the class of 2021.

Flower Girl Anna Scott Arnold, long time devoted committee member Christina Dinegar, Caroline Turner and the dresses from 1986 and 1998

2020 Dress Chair Mary Frances Hummel, 2021 Dress Chair and former Flower Girl Annie Stookesberry Burke, Flower Girl Mom and former Flower Girl Jennifer Watts Leuthhold with 1981 Dress

Flower Girl Khaki Sawyer in the 2021 dress

CCO’s Katie Nicholson with Flower Girls Sophia Birner, Anna Scott Arnold, 2021 Dress Chair Shannon Bell and 2021 Flower Girl cochair Liz Arnold

Flower Girl Lucy Rakowski in the 2021 dress with mother Jill Boat Rakowski, Flower Girl Alum

Flower Girls Claire Welch, Elle Morris, and Stuart Terry

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MEET CENTRAL CITY OPERA’S NEW DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR! We’re excited to introduce our newest staff member, Development Administrative Coordinator Elisabeth Boyce. Fresh off her master’s in Arts Administration, Elisabeth is an active volunteer in the Denver community. You’ll surely get to know her quickly as our staff liaison for the CCOG! Tell us briefly about your life, education and career before Central City Opera (CCO): “I have been involved in the performing arts for as long as I can remember; I started taking dance classes at the age of three. I had the opportunity to live in many cities growing up and received a diverse education in theatre, music, dance, and visual art. At the University of Northern Colorado, I pursued a degree in Theatre Arts: Acting but fell in love with the business elements required to mount a production. From there, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Arts Administration and gained indepth experience in development, educational programming, non-profit finances, and arts advocacy. I also was able to work for a small art museum in rural Utah and serve on the board of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.”

How did you make your way into the field of opera? Why does the art form appeal to you?

“I have always been amazed with the art form; specifically, its elegant combination of the performing arts.

However, I am most drawn to the emphasis on music and the extraordinary vocal instruments within the artists. Music can be powerful and humankind’s ability to express through song is unparalleled.”

What do you do day-to-day at Central City Opera?

“I am responsible for maintaining the system of information used by our development team. I am helping to establish policies and procedures that make our system more effective and efficient to create more time for building relationships with donors to Central City Opera.

I am also the liaison from the development team to other departments or branches of CCO, such as the Central City Opera Guild.”

What does Central City Opera mean to you?

“Not having had the opportunity to see a performance yet, Central City Opera means resilience and community to me. As I was wrapping up my graduate degree and looking for work, so many arts organizations were shuttering their doors and hoping for the best. Central City Opera was the first organization that I encountered to be brainstorming new ways to bring their art to their patrons and discovering opportunities to bring people together, albeit safely.”

EAT AND DRINK TO SUPPORT CENTRAL CITY OPERA THROUGH EAT4ART We have partnered with nonprofit arts collaborative, Eat4Art, so you can continue to support Central City Opera simply by eating and drinking. Every time you place an order through an Eat4Art partner (Grubhub, Doordash, Vivino, and more) you are helping us raise money so we can keep our programs alive, support and connect our community, and deliver high quality programming. Learn more at eat4art.com/centralcityopera

PLEIN AIR FESTIVAL ARTWORK FOR SALE ONLINE Artwork created during the Central City Plein Air Festival this fall is available for sale online, which means you can give your loved ones a beautiful mountain memory to hang on their wall! Profits benefit the artists, Gilpin County Arts Association, and Central City Opera. Peruse and purchase at centralcityopera.org/plein-air-art-sale/

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HISTORIC PROPERTIES FALL SEASON NOT SO QUIET The Guild’s Historic Properties Committee had a quiet fall. Lower Coe was tidied and work halted for the winter. A bit more wall work will finish the kitchen and bath in the spring. Winter will be a time to organize storage and make plans to finish Lower Coe’s kitchen and bath, adding new shelving, installing the new stove and flooring and other finishing touches. More than likely, we will research a new project to begin in 2021. Anyone interested in joining this fun and relaxed team can contact Cathy Groene at cggroene@msn.com or 720-205-9058.

perform in the Opera Garden – especially appreciated by the citizens of Central City.

• Finally Sam Carrington, Maintenance, was also busy with numerous jobs from wiring to installing new doors while celebrating his 10th year with Central City Opera.

All the achievements reached this season are a tribute to making the best of this unusual year!

D’Albe House receives much needed TLC

On our wish list: • Gift cards to Home Depot for supplies to finish Lower Coe. • Seven new white twin sized blankets and four queen/ full tan or blue blankets (Bed Bath and Beyond’s Berkshire Microfleece are a great option).

Mountain View Bank Volunteers working at Parish and D’Albe in Central City before and after renovation.

Although this band of Guild volunteers were busy this year, we want to acknowledge Central City Opera Historic Properties Director, Eric Chinn, along with multiple volunteers and contractors working on various projects during the Opera’s mostly dark season.

Here is a list of just a few of those accomplishments: • Bron Wright, carpenter and principle trombone player for the Opera Orchestra, rebuilt the porch on the front of D’Albe House.

• John Baril, CCO Conductor, spent the summer with Brian Cook and other volunteers painting six different properties.

D’Albe House after the porch rebuild by trombone player Bron Wright.

D’Albe Front Porch – Before and after maintenance

• Professional painters were also hired for the exterior painting of Festival Hall, Bradford Press and Parking Lot houses.

• White Construction installed new composite shingles on Penrose Houses I and II with the help of a State grant on which the office worked tirelessly.

• A new boiler has been installed in the Teller House.

• Studies have been conducted to provide an extensive report on short and long term improvements to the Opera House itself and Teller House by Marx Okubo Consulting.

• Colorado School of Mines began a new relationship with Central City Opera to develop a plan to install heat in the Opera House for year round use; the goal to have plans ready to take to construction companies for bids.

• Mountain View Bank volunteers worked with Eric Chinn to paint the fence in front of Parish House.

• Arrangements were made for two local theatre companies, Peak-to-Peak and The Belvidere Players, to

Eric Chinn, Director of Historic Properties

Sue Janssen

THE CENTRAL CITY OPERA 2021 FESTIVAL WILL FEATURE NEW PRODUCTIONS OF: Verdi’s Rigoletto Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

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HISTORIC PROPERTIES LADD HOUSE – HOME TO MANY at the Holidays thence come the Tommyknocker Holiday celebrations and bazaar each year in Central City.

Ladd House is a charming two-story house built in approximately 1865 and is located at 216 East High Street in Central City. The home’s architecture is typical of Central City in the late 1800s with touches of Victorian scroll work on the gable and turned porch posts. It was considered a more lavish house at the time. The house has three bedrooms and two baths, and a lovely large kitchen (added to the side of the house in the early 1900s) with built-in cabinets.

These were the inspiration for the remodeled kitchen cabinets in Johnson House.

Some of the first homeowners were the newly wed Samuel Cushman, a civil engineer and author (Gold Mines of Clear Creek County, 1876) and his wife, Indiana Sopris Cushman (daughter of the Mayor of Denver and the first woman to become a classroom teacher in Colorado). Charles and Anna Trenoweth came to the house in 1886 when Charles partnered with Mr. Polglaise to open a clothing store, The Central Shoe and Clothing Co. Their daughter lived in the house until 1934. In 1941, Dora Ladd Keyes purchased the house and gifted it to Central City Opera in 1949. Dora Ladd Keyes was a respected author on Colorado History and wrote quite a bit on her experiences growing up in Central City and Denver in a pioneer family. She also wrote a children’s story, “The Tommy-Knockers.” For those who do not know, Tommyknockers are mystical creatures brought from Cornwall, England, with the miners to Central City. They are credited with protecting the miners by knocking on the walls of the mine to warn of cave-ins. They are also pranksters who may be seen

Dora’s father, Charles W. Ladd, moved to Central City in 1860 with partner Issac Schuyler to placer mine in Russell Gulch. In 1869, Charles and Isaac opened a hardware business in Blackhawk. Eligible ladies were few and far between in the mining town so Charles was fortunate to meet and marry Martha (Mary) Jane Schuyler, Isaac’s sister, in 1872. The couple had four children: Jessie, Irene, Dora, and Walter (Schuyler). After the 1874 fire, Charles and Isaac built a new “fireproof” brick and stone building on Lawrence Street in Central City. The store also manufactured copper and tin household items – “Ike’s domaine” as Dora Ladd recalls it. Ladd and Schuyler sold the business to Henderson, McCay and Jenkins in 1887, at which time Charles Ladd moved his family to Denver. The Hardware Building still stands with the Jenkins name as seen in the photo. Charles was director and later vice-president of the First National Bank of Central City and was active in the community.

Though the exact location of the 1872-87 Ladd place of residence is unknown, we glean some clues from the writings of his daughter, Dora Ladd Keyes. Dora recounts some details in “Vignettes of Central City, Colorado” published in Colorado Magazine-October 1953...“But our father, pressed hard to take care of heavy Saturday business in the Ladd-Schuyler Hardware Store, could not get up to our home, which, on the street above overlooks the store on Lawrence Street…He would pass the two-story brick house with two marble fireplaces (referring to Weckbaugh). D C Collier would be the next neighbor…Charlie Trenoweth…Dr Day on his front porch…then would come his welcome from eager children.” Dora refers to the house as “cruder than the Cushman’s” so perhaps the house no longer exists.

Another mystery we will continue to search for clues to solve!

Central City Opera House Association PO Box 1212 Wheat Ridge, CO 80034 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Administrative Office: 303-292-6500 CentalCityOpera.Org

2021 CCO GUILD WINTER NEWSLETTER Coeditors: Priscilla Mead and Christy Darling

2021 CENTRAL CITY OPERA GUILD BOARD EXECUTIVE BOARD PRESIDENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cindy Koch

VP EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristin Bender

PRESIDENT ELECT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Louise Atkinson

VP HISTORIC PROPERTIES . . . . . . Cathy Groene

COVPS MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . S usan Stiff and Louise Atkinson

SECRETARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edie Bell

COMMITTEE CHAIRS AND COMMITTEES:

Youth Education . . . . . . . . . . Kristin Bender

Belle Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Ritz, Kristin Bender, Edie Bell, Suzie Erzinger, and Margaret Baker

Spring Membership Party . . Susan Stiff and Louise Atkinson

L’Esprit de Noël. . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Grassby and Karen Ritz

Historic Properties. . . . . . . . . Cathy Groene Greet a Singer. . . . . . . . . . . . . Bette and Dave Poppers

Newsletter Co-Editors . . . . . Christy Darling and Priscilla Mead

Apprentice Artists Picnic . . . Lisa Curwen

Marketing Coordinator . . . . . Erin Osovets

Gardens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Parker, Christina Dinegar and Dr. Sally Scott

Marketing Content Manager. Margaret Siegrist

Annual Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Hemming Opera Teaser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristin Bender

Fall Membership Coffee . . . . Susan Stiff and Louise Atkinson

Nominating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen Ritz Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Wells and Kathy Eichenberger