"Golondrina" 

Our new and exciting opera commission, Golondrina*, takes you back to historic downtown Los Angeles.

In 1926, demolition notices were being posted around the Plaza, to make way for the new Union Station when a determined single mother, Christina Sterling, teamed up with LA times publisher Harry Chandler to save the city's most historic buildings which included L.A's first fire station, its oldest structure (Avila Adobe), its first brick building (housing La Golandrina Restaurant), the Pico Hotel, Merced Theatre, and the Italian Hall.

Christine Sterling brought positive attention to the area by creating a bit of old Mexico on Olvera Street, thereby delaying the planned demolition, and eventually getting the city to declare the area a historic monument. Don't miss Police Chief "two gun" Davis, and a host of activists as they fight for a piece of LA's past, while the city was forging ahead to become one of the countries great cities.

This little known but inspiring story is the subject of Vineyard Touring Opera Company's original opera that premiered in Fall of  2015 (under the title *Olvera Street). Composed by Lindsey Harnsberger with libretto by Robert Cartland, Olvera Street Opera puts this great story to music and song. Help us share this inspiring story of one woman's determined efforts to save L.A's historic Plaza buildings.

This production is made possible, in part, by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.