San Diego Opera Honors Iris Strauss as Life Director

For Immediate Release

July 8, 2009

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Edward Wilensky, Director of Media Relations
Edward.Wilensky@sdopera.com
Telephone: (619) 232-7636

San Diego Opera Honors Iris Strauss as Life Director
Only the fourth Life Director honor given in the Company’s 45 years
San Diego, CA – San Diego Opera is pleased to announce that former San Diego Opera board president, Iris Strauss, has been named a Life Director of the San Diego Opera. This marks only the fourth Life Director honor that the Company has bestowed in its 45-year history and makes Iris the second woman to be named a Life Director after Esther J. Burnham, the only other living Life Director of San Diego Opera

“San Diego Opera seldom awards a life membership, and there have been only four in the history of the Company. Iris Strauss therefore joins a very special group of devoted supporters who have given their time and energy as well as significant financial support to San Diego Opera over many years. Indefatigable, Iris has been always been a positive and optimistic force who has driven campaigns, Galas, receptions, and supported productions with extraordinary gifts,” commented General and Artistic Director Ian Campbell. “Her husband, Matt, has always been by her side, and I am grateful to him for his support, and for lending her to us for so long in the past, and doubtless for many years  to come. I salute Iris for all she has done, and say bravissimo!”

Iris Strauss has been a member of the San Diego Opera Board of Directors since 1990 and served as President from 2002-2005 and Chairman of the Board in 2009. In 1996 she co-founded the “Dow Divas” an investment club of local women who are major contributors to San Diego Opera and who also have planned San Diego Opera’s Annual Gala for the past three years.

In addition to her dedication to the Company, Iris is the Arts and Cultural liaison to the mayor of San Diego and also serves on the Executive Committee for the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture. She was co-founder of BRAVO San Diego, is active with the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego and is a Life Member of Congregation Beth Israel. She has been active the United Jewish Federation, the Lawrence Family JCC, UCSD and the La Jolla Playhouse, among many other organizations. She has been recognized for her contributions to the community with the Gold Star Award from The San Diego Performing Arts League, the Champions of Opera Award from San Diego Opera, the Living Legacy Award from Women’s International and the Woman of Dedication Award from the Salvation Army, among many others.

Iris has a special passion for opera and studied vocal technique in college. With her husband Matthew Strauss she collects contemporary art and has donated works to the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego. The La Jolla location of the Museum has named the sculpture plaza in their honor and the Downtown location holds the Iris and Matthew Strauss Gallery in the new expansion.

”My devotion to San Diego Opera goes back two decades,” comments Iris. “I am very committed to this Company. It is a very important part of my life and this wonderful honor by the board encourages me to ensure the Company maintains the high artistic level that San Diego deserves.”

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General Information

A widely respected member of the international opera community, San Diego Opera brings the world’s finest artists to San Diego. Founded in 1965, and led for the last 26 years by General Director and Artistic Director Ian D. Campbell, San Diego Opera produces performances of the highest artistic quality while remaining financially stable.
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