During the Seattle Opera Board of Trustee's annual retreat on April 1, one vote was unanimous. In recognition of his remarkable accomplishments, the board voted by acclamation to dedicate the 2008/09 season to General Director Speight Jenkins. Steven Phelps, president of Seattle Board of Trustees, summed up his accomplishments as follows.
This season marks Jenkins' 25th anniversary with Seattle Opera. During his tenure, Jenkins has presented new productions of all 10 of Wagner's major operas, including two new "Rings"- an extraordinary accomplishment by any general director. He is recognized nationally as a leading authority on opera, a politically active arts advocate, and one of the most influential and accomplished general directors in the country. He has an instinct for effectively pairing directors and designers, resulting in brilliantly original productions.
Jenkins has garnered a number of prestigious awards. In 2001 the "Seattle Times" named him one of the 150 most influential people who have shaped the character of Seattle and King County. In 2006, ArtsFund presented him with its Outstanding Achievement in the Arts award. Also in 2006, "Sound" magazine listed Jenkins as one of the 55 most influential people in the Seattle music scene, and Opera News cited him as one if the 25 most powerful names in American opera.
Equally important, Jenkins has assembled and leads a team of creative, energetic and inspired men and women who exert all their talents and abilities toward making the best art possible. Jenkins and his staff epitomize Seattle Opera's core values:
• Art Matters
• Professional Integrity
• Audacity-not following
others, doing the impossible
• Always striving for excellence
• Appreciating the value of all those who contribute to the company
Under Jenkins' influence, Seattle Opera's productions have captured international acclaim, bringing visitors to the city from all 50 states and 39 countries, boosting the economy, raising the profile of Seattle as a thriving center for the arts, and reinforcing Seattle Opera's position as one of the preeminent arts organizations in the region. We celebrate his 25 years with us, and we are eager to see what he has in store for the 2008/09 season.
The basis for all this success is Jenkins' complete dedication to what he does and a passionate love of opera. He attends every rehearsal when he's in town and every performance and every post performance where he discusses opera with each audience. To quote Jenkins, "What am I proudest of in those 20 years? Two things: the loyalty of our audience and the support of the board. I know this sounds pro forma, but it's not. This is the most remarkable opera audience in the world in terms of enthusiasm, support, curiosity and sophistication. If they don't like a production, they're quite capable of telling us, but they keep on coming. Over the years we have brought in a lot of younger people too. In our 3 million metropolitan area, we reach 1 percent of the community. Nobody else does that."
He makes his own decisions and inspires his staff and the cooperation of directors, singers and conductors. Because of Jenkins' hands-on involvement with everything, celebrated director Stephen Wadsworth (who directed the company's latest Ring production) calls him "the only real producer of opera, among all the directors around the country." And Jane Eaglen (who lives in Seattle) regards Seattle opera as a family.
The board of directors renewed Jenkins' contract in 2003 for another 10 years marked by a sold-out, black tie gala and performance for his 20th anniversary performance (see my column Queen Anne News August 2003). Another super gala is planned for April 2009 to celebrate his 25th anniversary. Seattle Opera is in good hands up until 2013. We will all be there to toast and cheer our fabulous Seattle Opera and its director.
If Jenkins were in England he would have long since received a knighthood. Since Jenkins is a good Welsh name, he would join the ranks of Sir Gerant Evans, Sir Colin Davis, and numerous others. So I hereby unofficially dub you Sir Jenkins, which sounds pretty good. So here's to you Sir Jenkins. We appreciate you, we wish you health and longevity and may you long guide Seattle Opera and grace our fair city.
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