LYRIC OPERA OF ORANGE COUNTY

There is no instrument more capable of nuanced communication than the human voice. Its versatility can unite mankind and allows us to make unique connections with one another. Some scientists, linguists, and archaeologists even believe that the concept of language evolved from the singing, or melodic sounds, of our distant ancestors. No matter the era or mother tongue, music moves people and provides a way to experience humanity’s greatest joys and trials.

Lyric Opera of Orange County’s mission is to engage with a modern and diverse audience by offering meaningful musical experiences that honor the operatic repertoire, feature artistic excellence, and present timely showcases of a traditional art form.

Our vision is to impact our community by bringing world class artistry, ideas, and programming to Orange County. We strive to entertain and educate our community by weaving traditional and innovative offerings into the rich cultural tapestry of our region as the premier organization for operatic excellence in Orange County.

Founded in 2017, Lyric Opera of Orange County has built a reputation for creating affordable and accessible operatic productions and events with the goal of engaging our community, breaking down perceived barriers to the art form, and providing jobs to area professionals and emerging artists.

To date, Lyric Opera of Orange County has provided accessible, educational, and entertaining programs to over 5000 audience members in OC venues from Dana Point to Fullerton and Irvine La Habra; has provided a platform and work opportunities for 100+ SoCal musicians; and awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school and young professional singers.

Lyric Opera of Orange County has grown much quicker than expected in the last five years. To continue serving our community in a post-pandemic world, and comply with new employment laws and safety concerns, Lyric Opera OC requires donors, sponsorships, and partnerships for program funding. The organization has always been volunteer run but now requires paid staff and employment services to maintain operations. In the current season, "LOOC" is working hard to meet the goal of $150,000 raised towards our capital campaign.

We hope to program live music and education programs throughout Orange County. Currently we have found or been invited to perform at venues in Santa Ana, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Irvine, Fullerton, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, and Trabuco Canyon. 

From President/Founder, Diana Farrell: We pride ourselves is creating operatic experiences for our community, breaking down barriers which have long identified opera as an elitist and exclusive art form, and demonstrated how opera can be accessible, educational, and entertaining for both audiences and musicians alike. Lyric Opera OC is unique in that we honor the traditional repertoire but make it relevant for modern audiences by reimagining the settings and scrutinizing the subject matter. Our musicians are some of the best in the region and we proudly introduce the emerging artists and students in our programs to the standards and preparation which leads to high caliber, rewarding careers in the arts.

From Board Chair, Robert Graulich: Diana Farrell is an arts entrepreneur who has worked tirelessly to establish Lyric Opera of Orange County as the resident opera organization in Orange County, California. After moving to Orange County and finding only limited local prospects for an opera professional, Diana set out to create opportunities for artists and audiences alike in the area. To Diana, opera has not only the power to entertain, but more importantly, to demonstrate and teach. She holds a passionate conviction that music and the lyric theater serve as a powerful tool to unite people and communities, regardless of language barriers, class, race, or age. Through her involvement with Emerging Arts Leaders OC and musical organizations throughout Orange County, Diana’s vision garnered excitement from the community, respect from musicians, and support from local businesses and individuals.

Her dream to create an opera company in OC that could champion regional professional musicians began with a $5,000 initial production effort launched in summer of 2018. Since that humble beginning, Lyric Opera OC has grown to a yearly operating budget of $100,000 producing three large scale opera works in accessible and relevant formats, staged in local venues such as the Muckenthaler Cultural Arts Center, the Yost Theatre, and the Irvine Barclay Theatre. As the company grows, they have been able to direct focus to their education and community outreach programs. Her company awards annual scholarships to young singers and provides group and individual development opportunities to voice professionals at every level, thus investing in the future of opera in our community. Lyric Opera OC’s first 3-show season was named a Top Pick for the 2019-202 Arts Season by Voice of OC. With the interruption of public performances during the pandemic, Diana led the company in creating educational online content and entertainment for 12 months, essentially creating an online season. Ms. Farrell’s approach to staging opera in a more accessible format has led to the unique retelling of classical operas such as Mozart’s Magic Flute and Puccini’s Madam Butterfly, which preserve the beautiful music but update the stories so they sparkle with new life. Her most recent production of Bizet’s Carmen was sold out for its 2-night run, with rave reviews by all.

In March of 2022, Diana Farrell was named a Woman Leader in OC for the Arts by Supervisor Katrina Foley’s office. As President of the company, she will accept Lyric Opera OC’s award at the Segerstrom Center as Emerging Arts Organization of 2022.

When not working behind the scenes directing Lyric Opera of Orange County, Diana continues to pursue her career as a lyric spinto soprano. Hailed for her “golden voice,” she’s been seen across the US in roles such as Puccini’s Tosca, Magda in Menotti’s The Consul, and Verdi’s Lady Macbeth. Highlights from recent local orchestral engagements include the soprano soloist for Mozart’s Requiem with the Centre Chorale, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony Soprano Soloist with Poway Symphony Orchestra, Strauss’ Vier Lied with Peninsula Symphony Orchestra. She performs regularly as a staff singer for the Grammy award winning Pacific Chorale.

Ms. Farrell is a frequent judge and panelist for competitions, including Fullerton College’s Classical Voice Competition; the National Association for Teachers of Singing; South Coast Symphony’s Rising Stars Competition; grant committees including California Arts Council’s Individual Artists Grants Awards and Artists in Schools Grant programs; and young artist training programs around the country.

Diana herself is the winner of multiple performance awards throughout her career, completing her formal studies with an Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

In addition to her work with Lyric Opera OC and as a freelance performer and director, Ms. Farrell also runs a classical voice studio in Rancho Santa Margarita. She lives in Irvine with her husband and two young children.

Diana Farrell is a true visionary for the arts in Orange County. Her accomplishments in Orange County are rapidly becoming the stuff of legend. Her creativity, hard work, and passion are well-deserving of recognition.