Central City Opera honors John Moriarty

Pat Pearce and John Moriarty

By Glory Weisberg

Central City Opera Music & Martinis was indeed music to the ears of not only its 250 guests, but also to John Moriarty, artistic director for 30 years.

Moriarty, now retired, was honored for inventing the Apprenticeship Program, giving young opera singers coaching and classes as well as a summer opera stage to perfect their skills. It was cutting edge when the training model was invented in 1978, spreading to other opera companies across America.

Heather Quiroga and Alicia Holt

Moriarty started his own opera career with the Santa Fe Opera and as Pat Pearce, CCO general and artistic director, said, “He was and continues to be a magnet for