Denise Villeré Schimek
Fund for Women Artists
Denise Villeré Schimek
July 24, 1950 – August 29, 2024
Schimek Fund for Women Artists has been established to memorialize
this beloved musician, Women’s Guild member, and opera lover.
End-of-Year Initiatives
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on the power of opera to
connect and transport us through shared experiences of beauty.
Thanks to our community’s unwavering support, the New
Orleans Opera has brought world-class performances,
innovative productions, and impactful educational initiatives to
the region for decades. This holiday season, we invite you to
join us in shaping the future of opera through our newest
initiatives!
THE FLAGSTONE PROJECT: Purchase a celebration
flagstone in honor of a loved one, engraved with your
opera story, or with the name of an individual you wish to
commemorate. A celebration walkway is planned at the
New Orleans Opera’s home on 2504 Prytania St.,
connecting the front pathway of natural flagstones to the
home’s side walkway, and extending to the playing area
immediately in front of the permanent garden stage. The
Flagstone project is intended to celebrate connections to
the opera and increase access for outdoor events at the
Opera Guild Home. A mixture of engraved and plain
natural flagstones will be laid to accomplish this.
Flagstones are sold for $1,000 and will be installed
within 18 months of purchase. Larger or
prominently-placed stones in front of the stage, at
corners, and at each turn of the walkway are sold
for $2,500. NOOA retains final editorial control of
message content in line with its 501c3 status.
Political, religious and affiliate symbols are not
eligible for inclusion.
We cannot do what we do without you.
There are many ways to get involved, from annual giving to our monthly Sustainer Program, from attending special events to including us in your estate plans, from sponsoring artists or productions to underwriting educational programs!
Individual Giving
PATRONS– $100 +
- Donation listing in program materials.
PATRONS– $250 +
- Donation listing in program materials
- Receive e-newsletters with updates on events and programs
PATRONS – $500 +
- Reserved seats for our popular “Nuts and Bolts” lectures
- Voting rights at the NOOA Annual Meeting
PATRONS– $1,000 +
- Access to purchase premium box seat subscriptions – the best seats are saved for Patrons and above
- Go behind the scenes at a special open chorus rehearsal with an introduction by Opera staff.
OPERA CLUB CIRCLE– $2,500 +
- Two free passes to watch an on-stage technical rehearsal
- Two free passes to an Opera Roundtable Orientation at the Guild Home
- Invitations to all Opera Club dinners
MASTERSIGNERS – $5,000 +
- Free parking at opera performances in the Mastersigners preferred parking area
- Meet and greet our opera stars at exclusive private donor events
- Free admission to VIP champagne intermission receptions at performances
- Complimentary invitation to the exclusive Director’s Dinner
- Free access to musical rehearsals with the orchestra, chorus, and principal artists (Sitzprobe)
- Free admission to Student Preview Performances (final dress rehearsals)
- Preferred box office privileges with ticket exchanges between productions
- Special access to a principal artist rehearsal by invitation
MAESTRO CIRCLE – $10,000 +
- Production underwriting privileges
- Intimate receptions with artists and exclusive rehearsal access
PLATINUM CIRCLE – $25,000 +
- Underwriting privileges one Chamber Opera production of your choice
- Highest priority for all special events
PREMIÈRE CIRCLE – $50,000 +
- Underwriting privileges for one Mainstage production of your choice.
GRAND OPERA CIRCLE – $100,000 +
- Exclusive underwriting privileges for the production of your choice.
- Season-long acknowledgment in performance supertitles and patron programs for all staged productions.
Legacy and Planned Giving
By including New Orleans Opera in your long-term financial and estate planning, you instantly become a key player in the
legendary history of opera in New Orleans, dating all the way
back to 1796. Your gift also helps to safeguard NOOA’s future, ensuring that we can continue our mission of making the power and beauty of opera accessible to New Orleanians for generations to come. As a subsequent member of the NOOA Legacy Society, you will also receive an exclusive invitation to join a cohort of passionate philanthropists who share your commitment to artistic excellence and generosity. To inquire about opportunities for planned giving, please contact Emma Rothfield (erothfield@neworleansopera.org, (504) 529-2278).
Corporate Giving
New Orleans Opera is pleased to partner with corporations,
foundations, and institutions throughout the city and surrounding region. Partnerships with NOOA provide both parties with invaluable opportunities for increased visibility and impact. Each corporate sponsor receives season-long acknowledgment in performance supertitles and patron programs for all staged productions. Other benefits and recognition opportunities are provided according to sponsorship level.
Donor Spotlights!
Thank you for your support!
Our development team is available to answer your questions! Email nooagiving@neworleansopera.org.
