• 402 donors from all 50 states give $512,377.
• Campaign caps fiscal year of highest contributed support in company's history. 

General Director Ryan Taylor has announced the successful completion of Arizona Opera's "50 for 500" Campaign, marking the best fundraising year in the company's 44 year history.

In just two short years, Arizona Opera has eliminated all of its long- term debt that the company had held for over a decade.  This year's "50 for 500" Campaign kicked off with a challenge from an anonymous Tucson donor who pledged $100,000 if Arizona Opera could raise $400,000 by the end of the fiscal year.  At the conclusion of the campaign on June 30, Arizona Opera had raised $512,337.

"We are so grateful for the incredible support that we have seen, with donations coming in from all over the country.  It is so gratifying to see such a powerful transformation taking place in our company, one that is simultaneously connecting with a nationwide community. Now after two successive "Million Dollar May" campaigns, an incredible commitment from our season sponsor, Copperpoint Mutual Insurance Company, and this year's successful 50 for 500 campaign, our momentum continues to grow in an exciting, healthy direction," Ryan Taylor. 

Donations poured in from all 50 states and the District of Columbia as Arizona Opera raced for the finish line, a nod to its opening production this fall of Arizona Lady, the U.S. premiere centered on a racehorse raised on a cattle ranch in Arizona.  

The 50 for 500 Final Tally:

• 1766 Donors gave to Arizona Opera during the fiscal year.
• Donations from all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Japan.
• $512,337 from 402 donors raised in the last two months of the fiscal year.
• Arizona Opera ends its 2015 fiscal year in the black, with the community providing the highest level of support in its history.

Arizona Opera's 2015/16 Season will open in the fall with Arizona Lady by Emmerich Kálmán, Florencia en el Amazonas by Daniel Catán, Carmen by Georges Bizet, Don Giovanni by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi.  Ticket packages for the full season, as well as mini packages are on sale now at significant savings.  Single tickets will go on sale Aug 23.  

The 2015/16 Arizona Opera Season is presented by CopperPoint Mutual Insurance.