The Cleveland Opera League came into being to help Cleveland Opera. COL basically did the same thing NOOL does today but gave funds only to Cleveland Opera as it’s “Little Board”. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were given with $200,000 being given in its last year of existence. The COL had over 400 hundred members and started the famous Opera Spring Balls and Fashion Shows.
When Cleveland Opera merged with Cleveland Lyric Opera and went into what is now a 9 year hiatus the COL was closed.
Out of it many of the same members especially Francis & Alice Gross started NOOL. The difference was to help Opera survive and thrive in the greater Cleveland area instead of being tied to only one opera company. As you can see by our photos we have held many events to raise money for this fine cause. House parties and Masquerade Balls, Dancing With the Dinosaurs, Opera Spring Ball, while smaller venues such as Dances at the Yacht Club, Tea Dances, Lobster Bakes are more for the enjoyment of paying members or guests versus raising money. So while smaller than the original COL NOOL still has its goal of helping Greater Cleveland area opera survive.
NOOL is a completely volunteer operated Non-Profit with no salaries or financial reward to any of its members. Costs to run a program are all done through member dues and guest ticket sales, silent auctions and donations to our various events. Grants are being sought for future event programs.
So please contact us if you wish to join us, host a house party that all guests will to tell their friends , “That was the best house party I have ever been to”, or attend one of our events.
Sincerely, Greg Polyak