Q&A with Richard Koseff, Board Chair
At the end of June, Richard Koseff’s time as Board Chair of Opera Colorado is coming to an end. Having joined the Board of Directors at the start of the 2019-20 Season, Richard stepped into the role of Board Chair for the 2023-24 Season. As Board Chair, Richard’s steady, invaluable leadership has made a tangible impact on Opera Colorado. Hear from Richard about his time as Board Chair and what it means to him.
What first drew you to Opera Colorado?
I first discovered Opera Colorado in 2016 after seeing banners for Puccini’s La fanciulla del West on my commute from Littleton. Having recently moved to Denver from North Carolina, I couldn’t wait to take advantage of the things a city like Denver has to offer that weren’t available in North Carolina. High quality productions with a great orchestra and singers in a beautiful Opera House? I never expected such amazing results!
What was it like becoming the Board Chair? How does the Board Chair work with Opera Colorado?
We were just exiting the pandemic era, which was particularly hard on the performing arts, when I was elected to be Chair of the Board of Directors. As we normalized what we were able to actually produce, the next challenge was to look toward the future and how we can grow our impact in Denver and across Colorado.
How could we offer more to other parts of the state, like Colorado Springs? How could we reach new audiences with content beyond grand operas at The Ellie? How can we continue to provide music education to kids across the state as schools cut budgets for extra programs and buses? Can we collaborate with other opera companies and arts organizations in the region to increase the impact all of us make together? I’m proud of what we have put in place in each of those areas to position us for the future.
What is one accomplishment during your tenure you’re proud of?
The fundraising struggles that arts organizations have faced since the pandemic have made national news, and Opera Colorado was no exception. Our subscribers are extremely loyal, our Board is committed and passionate, but donations—the majority of our revenue—did not recover. The Board had several challenges to contend with all at once, some I didn’t even anticipate. I am particularly proud that as my three-year term ends, that our fiscal year ended in a much healthier place, that we hired a dynamic new leader as CEO, and that we have an organization staffed and ready to meet the future.
What excites you most about Opera Colorado’s future?
Opera Colorado’s future is bright! Our position as an important part of Denver’s cultural and civic heart is strong and growing. Our new leadership and staff are excited by the potential of the organization and the huge opportunities we have to impact our city and state. We are already reaching new audiences, new donors, and expanding what we offer as a non-profit, both for adults and children. Collaboration with other regional arts organizations, like our sister company, Central City Opera, are already bearing fruit. Our footholds in places outside of Denver are growing.
What advice would you give anyone interested in being involved in an arts organization?
Opera delivers what is important to live vs. exist, especially in our rapidly changing world. With opera, you experience stories that have reflected real human experience for hundreds of years, live performance that can’t be faked by technology and is never the same twice, the extraordinary power of the unamplified human body and voice, and the shared experience as we watch together in an audience. It is so important for the health of our communities that art is accessible so that it allows everyone to explore the world, our emotions, and the ways we relate to each other. Anyone can play a part in keeping that art alive and available for us here in Denver and beyond, and they will find it is truly rewarding.