The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera today announces Nancy McRae Fisher as 2017-2018 Season Sponsor for its six-concert Classics Series and its three-concert Pops Series. After sponsoring the Pops Series for the very successful 2016-2017 season, which saw several sold-out concerts and many for which the second balcony was opened, Ms. Fisher decided to expand her sponsorship to cover both Series. The extraordinarily generous gift demonstrates the renewed trust in the organization, further solidifying the SP&O’s place within the community as a vital and sustainable cultural ambassador.
A prominent local business woman, Ms. Fisher and her husband founded Hank Fisher Properties in 1979 and until recently she was acting president and CEO. Throughout her career, Ms. Fisher has been an unwavering and steadfast supporter of the arts in Sacramento and one of the SP&O’s most tireless advocates.
“The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera represents an important part of a vibrant lifestyle that defines Sacramento,” said Ms. Fisher. “I am so very impressed with the talented, creative, and professional members of the staff and orchestra and their variety of classical as well as Pops styles that create truly exciting performances. I hope that you will attend a performance and realize how fortunate we are to have this outstanding orchestra in our community. You will enjoy a most memorable experience.”
“Nancy Fisher’s gift sends a clear message and signals a great deal of confidence in us,” said Executive Director, Alice Sauro. “Our path of fiscal responsibility and artistic excellence put us on an upward trajectory and Nancy recognizes that and believes in us. We’re not only thrilled but we couldn’t be more grateful for this kind of support.”
“It’s a game changer,” says Board President, Laurie Nelson. “A sponsorship of this magnitude is absolutely transformative—it helps us get to that next level and lets us continue to bring the joy of classical music to Sacramento’s cultural landscape.”
The upcoming season’s programming will include repertoire by Brahms, Mozart, Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Pops concerts showcasing The Music of Prince, ABBA, and favorite hits from Hollywood films. Once again an array of guest conductors and virtuoso soloists will be featured. “It’s support from people like Nancy that make all this possible. Period,” emphasizes Sauro. “To garner so much talent takes more than ticket sales and Nancy understands just how much goes into each and every concert.”
Also new for the 2017-2018 season is the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera’s Wellness Program, which just rolled out with a yearlong series at Sophie’s Place, a pediatric music therapy center at Sutter Children’s Hospital. The program brings in small ensembles, so that pediatric patients get to experience the healing powers of music in a tranquil yet engaging environment.
Find out more about the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera 2017-2018 season and the Wellness Program by going to sacphilopera.org.