The Denver Lyric Opera Guild was founded in 1965 by Ms. Helen Burns and a group of dedicated women to help support the local Lyric Theatre which later became the Denver Lyric Opera Company. Although the company produced several successful opera, prohibitive production costs forced it to bring down its final curtain.
Undaunted, the Guild pursued other programs in keeping with the original purpose of its existence "...the encouragement and support of the young singers and the continuing education of the members in the appreciation and knowledge of opera."
The ever popular "Opera on Tuesday" debuted in 1973. These first Tuesday gatherings offered members the opportunity of viewing excerpts from upcoming university musical productions, hearing both neophyte and experienced singers, learning from informative lecturers, and enjoying lunch or brunch in the company of other Guild Members.
Each year the Opera Plane Tour transports members to major opera houses in the United States or Canada to hear old favorites or to be introduced to new operas. Side trips to scenic, historical, or cultural highlights of the area are usually included.
Opera in Colorado is not overlooked as the Guild sponsors bus trips to Central City Opera, and to opera productions by the music departments of the University of Colorado, Boulder and University of Northern Colorado, Greeley.
When the Junior League of Denver relinquished the sponsorship of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions in 1972, the Guild assumed the responsibility. In 1984, DLOG inaugurated its own Competition of Colorado Singers. Each spring a Master Class for prospective competitors is conducted. It is followed by the Competition, a two day event culminating in the awarding of scholarships to the finalists. Because of the generosity of foundations, donors, and Guild Members, a total of $747,500 has been awarded in the past 23 years with $32,000 given to Competition winners in 2007.
Scholarships are also awarded to five Colorado universities and colleges and to the Central City Opera Artist Training Program, the Opera Theatre of the Rockies and to help support the Opera Colorado Outreach Ensemble.
Since its inception, DLOG has been a vibrant organization and will remain so because of the unsurpassed dedication of its members and supporters.