Seward Obtains $300,000
To Update Glimmerglass
COOPERSTOWN – State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, this morning announced that, “at his insistence,” $300,000 is included in 2015-16 state budget to help The Glimmerglass Festival in a “significant multi-year renovation project.”
Plans include restoring interior walls at the Alice Busch Opera Theater, opening up the lobby to make it more inviting, moving the box office out toward the pond, adding canopies in front and on the sides to shelter patrons from the elements, and adding a marketplace that includes shops and concessions.
Seward called Glimmerglass “a prime component” to the local economy, adding, “By further enhancing the visitor experience at The Glimmerglass Festival we will see an increase in return trips and positive word of mouth, which will help attract more tourists to the region.
“This state investment will pay real dividends and will be a boost for our small businesses, hotels, restaurants and other area attractions,” he said.
The allocation comes as Glimmerglass is about to celebrate its 40th anniversary season. “The Glimmerglass Festival is committed to improving the quality of life in the region and creating more jobs through culture,” said The Glimmerglass Festival Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello. “We are thankful to Senator Seward and the state for the ongoing support toward these efforts.”
Founded m 1975, The Glimmerglass Festival is a professional, non-profit organization presenting four new productions of opera and musical theater each summer, and attracting a national and international audience.
This season will feature Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Verdi’s “Macbeth,” Vivaldi’s “Cato in Utica,” and Bernstein’s “Candide.”
