Opera is song, light, context, drama, dance and sound. It is singers, set designers, librettists, composers and costumers all working in tandem to produce something that shines brightly beyond the sum of these parts. 

And it is you! Hundreds of moving parts bring a work to life, and our patrons belong in a producing role. Live opera in Los Angeles is made possible because of you. When you give to LA Opera, you also participate in a vibrant community of patrons supporting masterpieces that exist on the stage today only because of the generosity of those who love this beautiful art form.

By supporting LA Opera, you help transform life into art. 

LA Opera is one of the hottest tickets in town. However, ticket sales only represent half of the resources needed to present opera of the highest artistic quality. By becoming a member of the Friends of Los Angeles Opera, you can help make up the difference. Become an Affiliate Level Member for a gift of $250 and enjoy exclusive admittance to the Members Lounge, located on the Loge Level on the west side of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The Members Lounge features:

• Private relaxing intermission reception area away from the main lobby
• Pre-ordered refreshment service: Order your drinks and dessert before the performance begins and find them waiting for you at intermission in the Members Lounge
• Open for every intermission and easily accessible from Loge level seating
• Full bar service and wonderful desserts

For specific details about donor events listed below or for more information about the Friends Program, including how to set up a flexible payment plan, please contact the Development Office by e-mail at friends@laopera.com, or by phone at 213.972.7277.

In appreciation of your membership, we have carefully selected benefits and privileges to enhance your experience with, and connection to LA Opera.

Friends of LA Opera

Contributor $100

• Invitation to Opera Insights - an informative special event hosted by LA Opera's renowned Education and Community Programs department
• Personalized Friends membership card
• Opportunity to order tickets before the general public
• Discounts and specials ' link to Club Card benefits at a variety of downtown restaurants

Affiliate $250
All of the above benefits and

• Exclusive admission to the Members Lounge, located on the third floor-Loge level, pre-performance and during intermission
• Affiliate level priority for subscription seating improvements and single ticket purchases in advance of each season

Supporter $500
All of the above benefits and

• Invitation for two to a designated dress rehearsal
• Supporter level priority for subscription seating improvements and single ticket purchases in advance of each season

Sponsor $1,000
All of the above benefits and

• Invitation to an additional designated dress rehearsal
• Invitation to Artists Forum - a private event featuring a director of a current LA Opera production
• Sponsor level priority for subscription seating improvements and single ticket purchases in advance of each season

Artists Circle $2,000
All of the above benefits and

• Special recognition by name and membership level in Performances magazine
• Invitation to the Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Recital, followed by a reception with the artists
• Priority seating at designated dress rehearsals
• Artists Circle level priority for subscription seating improvements and single ticket purchases in advance of each season

Patrons are among the core group of advocates that support our seasons, productions, and programs. Patrons' contributions provide budget relief where we need it most, when we need it most. When you choose to support LA Opera at the Patrons level, you make an outstanding commitment to support opera not only on the stage, but also in our community. We are deeply grateful for your support.

Please click here to learn more about our Patrons program and how to join. You can click here to learn more about Leadership Giving, and here to learn about other ways to give.

Joining our Leadership Giving program is one of the best ways to make high-impact gifts to LA Opera and a significant contribution to our story of success. Leadership gifts allow us the stability and vision to plan further into the future and bring you grand opera year after year.

If you would like to make a gift to LA Opera of $25,000 or more, we have a number of programs and opportunities to choose from. With the extraordinary generosity of our leadership donors in mind, we have selected specific benefits designed to bring you closer to the art you see on stage. We also have a range of VIP services available for donors at this level. VIP services include: concierge ticketing, invitations to exclusive events, Founders parking privileges, on-site dining and opportunities to connect with LA Opera singers, artists and production staff.

Travel with us. LA Opera's leadership supporters are also invited to participate in special arts immersion trips to cultural capitals. Previous trips have been to Paris, London, Rome, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Santa Fe, and include opera performances as well as private art gallery tours and social events. These are ideal opportunities to travel with fellow opera and art lovers.

To learn more about VIP Services and traveling with LA Opera, please contact Patricia McLeod at pmcleod@laopera.com or at 213.972.3160.

• Opera Council
  (Annual gift of $25,000 or more)
  Opera Council members receive several opportunities throughout the season to mingle with main stage singers, conductors and directors, as well as travel opportunities, cast parties, and exclusive social events.
  
  At this level of support, we are able to offer you an individualized opera experience tailored to your specific interests.
  
  To learn more about the Opera Council, please contact Patricia McLeod at 213.972.3160 or pmcleod@laopera.com.
  
  
• Artistic Excellence Circle
  (Annual gift of $100,000)
  Artistic Excellence Circle members ensure that LA Opera's productions continue to feature today's leading singers, directors, designers and conductors - all of the elements that make our seasons memorable.
  
  Membership in the Artistic Excellence Circle requires a $100,000 annual contribution.
  
  
• Production Underwriting
  (Annual gift of $250,000)
  The heart of LA Opera is its world-class mainstage productions. Production underwriters and members of the Artistic Excellence Circle provide the critical support needed to bring the best singers, directors and designers to our stage, resulting in performances that entertain thousands of opera fans who visit the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion or who tune into our international radio broadcasts.
  
  These leadership supporters receive unparalleled opportunities to watch a production come together from its earliest rehearsal stages to the full performances, with additional opportunities to meet the artists and key production staff.
  
  To learn more about production underwriting and the Artistic Excellence Circle, please contact John Nuckols at 213.972.7256 or jnuckols@laopera.com.
  
  
• Founders Room
  The elegant Founders Room at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion offers pre-performance dining, intermission service and lounge facilities, greatly enhancing your LA Opera experience.
  
  Membership to the Founders Room requires a $100,000 commitment - payable over a maximum of five years - and includes special Music Center parking privileges. Membership privileges extend to the Founders Rooms at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Ahmanson Theatre.
  
  To learn more about becoming a Founders Room member, please contact Patricia McLeod at 213.972.3160 or pmcleod@laopera.com.

There are many more ways to give to LA Opera, including:

• Stocks & Securities
  LA Opera greatly appreciates gifts of stocks and other securities. For transfer instructions, please click the document below.
  Gifts and Securities
  
  
• Endowment Gifts
  Our endowment works to secure the future and financial health of LA Opera. Endowment funds support productions, education programs, audience development activities, and artistic positions, and can honor a loved one.
  
  Endowment gifts can be made in addition to annual membership, or in the future by including it with your Bella Voce Society plans.
  
  Please call the Development office at 213.972.7277 or email plannedgiving@laopera.com for more information about the Endowment Fund.
  
  
• Commemorative Gifts
  Memorial Gifts
  Remember someone who loved opera and LA Opera by making a contribution in their memory.
  
  Honorary Gifts
  Make a contribution to LA Opera in consideration of a family member or friend, for their birthday or anniversary, or as a holiday gift.
  
  Your gift is considered a tax-deductible contribution to LA Opera. We acknowledge all commemorative gifts with a personalized card; please indicate to whom we should address the acknowledgment and provide their complete mailing address.
  
  To make a commemorative gift, please contact Melanie Underhill at 213.972.3612 or munderhill@laopera.com
  
  
• Matching Gifts
  With matching gifts from your company, you can double or even triple your contribution and receive more benefits at no additional cost to you. Many employers sponsor programs that match charitable contributions made by their employees with company or corporate foundation funds. If your company offers a matching gift program, please contact Nicole Michela at nmichela@laopera.com.
  
  

View a list of current and past Corporate Matching Gift Programs to LA Opera.