Hall of fame 2022 inductees: Bob Parker, Nina Worthington, and Cynthia du pont tobias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NOV 9, 2022

 

OPERADELAWARE BRINGS COMEDY AND CAPTIVATING VOCALS TO COSì FAN TUTTE; INDUCTS 3 NEW MEMBERS TO THE HALL OF FAME

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – After a triumphant weekend presenting Mozart’s  “beautifully sung” and “virtuosic” Così fan tutte (Broad Street Review), OperaDelaware proudly inducted three long-time supporters to the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was enacted in 2020 in celebration of the 75th anniversary of OperaDelaware. The company has since welcomed nine inductees who are nominated by board members in recognition of their service, generous spirit, and dedication to the mission of OperaDelaware. The Hall of Fame celebrates those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the magic at the opera house possible. Previous inductees have included volunteers, former board members, housing hosts, and friends of the opera who have gone above and beyond in service of the artists and the art form. This season, OperaDelaware was proud to induct Bob Parker and Cynthia Du Pont Tobias, and to posthumously recognize Nina Worthington with this expression of gratitude.

Cynthia du Pont Tobias was nominated by former OperaDelaware board vice president Jerry Bilton. Cynthia’s history with OperaDelaware spans decades and specialties, beginning with working as a set designer for La traviata in 1975. She has since been involved in 14 additional OperaDelaware productions as a set designer, artist, or director. She began serving on the board in 1991, and has been on the board almost continuously since 2012, including five consecutive seasons as vice president of the executive committee. In 2016, she was recognized nationally by OPERA America as one of five recipients of the National Opera Trustee Recognition Award. Because of her service not only to OperaDelaware, but also the Opera Company of Boston and Santa Fe Opera, she was recognized for “generosity in the passion for the art form, vision, and support of opera companies.”

“From her artistic contributions to her advocacy and personal investment in OperaDelaware, she has led by example and challenged others to follow suit,” said Jerry Bilton, former OperaDelaware board vice president and Ms. Cynthia du Pont Tobias’ nominator. “There is almost no area of OD that hasn’t been touched by her talents and generosity.” 

Francesca DiGuglielmo nominated Nina Worthington posthumously, whose commitment to OperaDelaware spanned more than 25 years, as a board member, officer, financial supporter, and fan. Nina first joined the OperaDelaware board in 1995 and served almost continuously beginning in 2005, including 8 consecutive years as secretary. Nina’s expertise in estate planning brought integrity and invaluable perspective to OperaDelaware’s stewardship, and her keen intellect and attention to detail made her an irreplaceable asset to the team. Nina loved bringing people to the opera, and OperaDelaware was honored to welcome Nina’s two daughters, Catharine J. Chang and Nina J. Chang and their families, to Sunday’s performance of Così fan tutte to present them with this award honoring their mother. 

“Nina leaned in on anything asked of her during her board service and always enthusiastically gave her absolute best,” said Francesca DiGuglielmo. 

E. Andrew DiSabatino, Jr. nominated OperaDelaware’s third and final inductee for 2022, the inimitable Bob Parker. Bob’s history with OperaDelaware reaches back to 1989 when he first worked as a set builder. He has since lent his expertise and leadership as a builder, technical director, and advisor to nearly 40 OperaDelaware productions. Bob was recalled by former OperaDelaware general director Lee Kimball as being a “master of making the impossible possible.” Whether with challenges of spaces, lighting, or technology, Bob moves mountains to transform simple materials into world class sets. 

OD general director Brendan Cooke says, “Everyone on the team agrees on one thing - none of the magic happens without Bob! He and his team back-stage are never in the spotlight, but they certainly deserve to be.” 

Cynthia du Pont Tobias, Nina Worthington, and Bob Parker join an extraordinary group of generous supporters whose dedication and goodness have brought generations of people closer to opera. They join 2021 inductees Harry Glaze, Evelyn Swensson, and Dick Yates, and the inaugural inductees from the class of 2020, Chick Laird, Lee Kimball, and Eric Kjellmark. OperaDelaware is proud to acknowledge and lift up these advocates and celebrate the crucial role they play in bringing this art form to life. Hall of Fame nominations must come through a board member, but anyone can recommend potential recipients. Contact Diane Shomper at DShomper@operade.org to learn more.

 
 

About OperaDelaware: OperaDelaware, now in its 78th season, is a professional non-profit opera company with a reputation for excellence in both opera and arts education. OperaDelaware opens the door to bold, vibrant and creative operatic programming that enriches the community, transforms audiences, and encourages dialogue.

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