LISA BURY ACCEPTS POSITION OF SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
ROBERTO MAURO SIGNS ON AS SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC OPERATIONS

(Phoenix, AZ)  Arizona Opera announces the recent new hires of Lisa Bury as Senior Director of Development and Roberto Mauro as Senior Director of Artistic Operations.  Bury and Mauro come to Arizona with impressive arts administrative credentials most recently from Lyric Opera of Chicago and Michigan Opera Theatre, respectively. Both are internationally-respected opera companies and according to OPERA America, the national service organization of opera, are in the top tier (Level 1) among operating budgets. (Arizona Opera is a Level 2 company.)

“It is a real coup for Arizona Opera to attract one of these individuals, let alone both,” says Joel Revzen, General and Artistic Director. “We are proud that Lisa and Roberto have joined Arizona Opera. Their experience and expertise tremendously strengthens our leadership team.”

Bury and Mauro are humble about Revzen’s praise, and excited about their new positions. Says Bury, “Arizona Opera has tremendous support among its Board of Trustees and patrons, and the growth potential is limitless. Phoenix, Gilbert, and Chandler are among the fastest growing cities in the United States. Every great city must have a strong arts presence to enrich the quality of life for its citizens and visitors.” Mauro agrees, and looks forward to his role in enhancing the company’s already highly-regarded artistic product. “Phoenix, as one of the top five cities in the United States, as well as Tucson can and should aspire to having an international-caliber opera company, equal to the opera companies in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston.”

Lisa Bury Biography and Position Responsibilities
    
Lisa Bury worked with Lyric Opera of Chicago for thirteen years. Most recently she served as the Director of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Support, and was responsible for the strategic planning and solicitation of the company’s institutional annual campaign contributions totaling nearly $6 million.

Her tenure at Lyric Opera is marked by positional success, followed by promotion. She began as Administrative Assistant, where she was groomed by legendary opera administrator Ardis Krainik. She then moved onto Assistant Director of Development for the Graham Room Activities, Assistant Director of Development for Donor Services and Special Events, and Director of Women’s Board Activities. She also served as Director of Development for Long Beach Symphony, where she was responsible for all aspects of $1.7 million annual and $5.5 million endowment campaigns.

Career highlights include:

• Planning and implementing five consecutive Opening Night Gala Performances and Opera Ball festivities, which together netted a minimum of $500,000 each;  
• Managing the company’s Wine Auction 2003, which netted $768,000 − an increase of 16% from the 2000 event, and Wine Auction 2006, which netted more than $1 million;
• Secured funding for and executed all festivities for the 50th Anniversary Concert and Gala in October 2004, which netted $5M.

Her experience encompasses both individual and institutional giving, special events, and volunteer and Board management, making her ideal for the Senior Director of Development position. Bury oversees the fundraising endeavors in both Phoenix and Tucson, which generate 45% of the company’s annual $6.9 million. She leads the development team in maximizing all contributed revenue streams, including annual gifts, sponsorships, grants, planned giving, and contributions to the endowment.

Bury has a Bachelor of Music Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy Emphasis from Ithaca College, and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Southern Methodist University. She continues to play violin and viola, and resides now in Chandler, AZ.

Roberto Mauro Biography and Position Responsibilities

As Senior Director of Artistic Operations, Roberto Mauro directs the planning, budgeting, and execution of main stage, Marion Roose Pullin Opera Studio training productions, and the educational school tours and programs, as well as concerts and other special performances. He administers all musical components and principal artists, stage directors, conductors, orchestra, chorus, dancers, and supernumeraries. 

Most recently Mauro was the Assistant Artistic Director of Michigan Opera Theatre (MOT), where he worked since 1999. He assisted acclaimed impresario David DiChiera in the selection of season repertoire and principal artists.

Highlights include:

• Presenting Werther with world-famous Andrea Bocelli in his only staged opera performance;
• Premiering Margaret Garner, a new opera written by Richard Danielpour and Pulitzer-Prize winning Toni Morrison; and continues
• Consulting in preparation for the world premiere of Cyrano by David DiChiera and Bernard Uzan, scheduled for performances next month.

His responsibilities included handling all contract negotiations for principal artists, conductors, stage directors, and choreographers; writing and producing season preview CDs, and authoring articles for MOT’s collateral materials, including program books. Mauro, a well-respected speaker, developed a Verdi lecture series, and frequently gives presentations on composers, repertoire, and singers.

Mauro brings a commitment to multiculturalism in the arts to Arizona Opera, as MOT is well-respected for its programming which serves the diverse Detroit community. During his tenure he led MOT as the host company of OPERA America’s national opera conference Diverse Voices, which received an award from the National MultiCultural Institute.

Prior to his time with MOT, Mauro managed Florida Grand Opera’s Young Artist Studio and worked at L’Opéra de Montréal as Production and Administrative Assistant. Mauro has also written supertitle translations for approximately 40 operas that have been seen on the stages Michigan Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Florida Grand Opera, Florentine Opera, Opera Omaha, and Opera Ontario. He graduated from University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. Mauro, born in the United Kingdom, is a Canadian citizen, and the son of acclaimed tenor Ermanno Mauro. He resides in Chandler, Arizona.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Colin Columna at 602.218.7323 or colin@azopera.com.

USAirways is the official airline of Arizona Opera.  Wyndham Phoenix is the season hotel co-sponsor.

Arizona Opera is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit performing arts organization and the only professional producer of grand opera in the state of Arizona. It was established in Tucson 37 years ago and has grown to include a five-opera, October-April season in two cities.