Bill Text: MS SC580 | 2017 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Recognize Mississippi Opera as recipient of the 2017 Governor's Arts Award for Artistic Excellence.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-14 - Enrolled Bill Signed [SC580 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC580-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Horhn, Simmons (13th), Burton, Carmichael, Jackson (11th), Tollison, Barnett, Blackwell, Chassaniol, Dearing, Jackson (32nd), McMahan
Senate Concurrent Resolution 580
(As Adopted by Senate and House)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE TO THE MISSISSIPPI OPERA AS RECIPIENT OF THE 2017 GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARD FOR ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE.
WHEREAS, the Governor's Arts Awards Program has announced its 2017 recipients, which includes the Mississippi Opera for Artistic Excellence; and
WHEREAS, opera is alive and well in Mississippi, thanks to the Mississippi Opera. Since 1945, the professional company has given the classic European musical art form a stage in Mississippi. It is the 9th oldest continuously operating company in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Opera was founded on the Belhaven College campus and held its first performance at Bailey Junior High School in Jackson. For more than 71 years, the Mississippi Opera has produced and celebrated a style of music that predates our nation by almost 200 years. The company is committed to exploring innovative ways of presenting this classical art form to a modern audience. In addition to its traditional season of operas, it has expanded its offerings to include cabarets that offer more contemporary fare in a casual, intimate setting. Mississippi Opera has commissioned a new opera called "Tear Down This Wall" that is scheduled to debut in 2017; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Opera is known for its first-class performances by local and regional singers and for bringing stars of the opera world to Mississippi. Among this long and impressive list are Beverly Sills, James McCracken, Renée Fleming and Mississippi's prolific tenor, John Alexander. The Mississippi Opera has also helped local artists develop their skills and build professional careers. Its competition "The Voices of Mississippi" identifies and recognizes outstanding vocalists in opera and musical theatre. It is the only competition of its kind in Mississippi that solicits competitors from around the country; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Opera has built a reputation for arts education and promotion of opera since its inception. The Mississippi Opera has always made it a priority to promote opera appreciation and enjoyment for Mississippi's young people through special student performances and providing cultural experiences, especially in rural communities, to expose young people to the art form. The Mississippi Opera continues this tradition of education, cultivating new opera fans through elementary school performances; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi Opera is one of the state's most established major professional arts organizations and represents a valuable and long-standing tradition of quality live performances. It is truly one of the pillars of the Mississippi arts community; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we pay tribute and express appreciation for the cultural contributions of the Mississippi Opera which has made Mississippi a better place and exemplifies the musical traditions of our great state:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the recognition of the Mississippi Legislature to the Mississippi Opera, a recipient of the 2017 Governor's Arts Award for Artistic Excellence, and extend our congratulations to this leading arts organization on this auspicious occasion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Mississippi Opera as part of the Governor's Arts Awards presentation on Thursday, February 16, 2017, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
