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It may seem surprising, but a pioneering opera company played an important role in the history of Capitol Broadcasting Company.

CBC founder A.J. Fletcher had a life-long love of opera that led him to start the Grass Roots Opera Company in 1948. Fletcher wanted to present opera in English to people who might not otherwise get a chance to experience it.

Beginning in 1950 the Grass Roots Company toured North Carolina and surrounding states to stage performances at schools, civic centers and auditoriums. Much of the focus was on rural schools, and during the company’s first half century more than 1.7 million school children heard opera—many for the first time.

The Grass Roots Company eventually evolved into the National Opera Company, but its overall mission never changed. The company gave aspiring singers a chance to practice their craft in front of audiences. Hundreds benefitted from the professional experience with the company and many more took advantage of the opera company’s educational outreach. In addition to programs in public schools, the company held master classes at local colleges and granted scholarships to talented music majors.

The National Opera Company was based in Raleigh with headquarters in a stately house on Hillsborough Street. A.J. Fletcher even built an auditorium for performances adjacent to WRAL-TV’s studio building on Western Boulevard. It was a state-of-the-art performance hall that was later converted into the WRAL –TV newsroom.

In 2001 the National Opera Company merged with the North Carolina School of the Arts graduate opera program to form the Fletcher Opera Institute. The institute carries on the mission that A.J. Fletcher started more than 60 years ago.

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Highlights for Opera

Excavation for WRAL Opera Auditorium

Work underway for constrcution of auditorium dedicated to opera performances. Photo taken June 18, 1965.
Elon College Honors Mr. A.J. Fletcher 1987

Elon College, located in Elon, North Carolina near Burlington, honored the legacy of Mr. A.J. Fletcher (1987- 1979) on the 100th anniversary on his birth. This video, produced in 1987, features Mr. Robert Anderson who was the assistant to the president of Elon College.

Anderson presents a biography of Fletcher with emphasis on the impact he had on the community of fine arts, specifically in regards to opera.

Included in this video presentation is David Witherspoon who worked at the Fletcher Foundation. Frank Fletcher, one of AJ’s three sons, shares memories of his father.

The video was viewed by an audience prior to a performance by the Elon College community orchestra.

*Elon College is now Elon University.
Opera auditorium excavation 1965

Construction begins on opera hall at WRAL-TV.
National Opera Company La Calunnia from The Barber of Seville

This vintage video is from the 1964-65 performance season of The National Opera Company. Patrick Lally performs “La Culunnia” from The Barber of Seville.
The National Opera Company performs Granada

This vintage video is from the 1964-65 performance season of The National Opera Company. Enjoy listening to Perry Price sing “Granada.” “Granada” is a song written in 1932 by Mexican composer Agustín Lara. The song is about the Spanish city of Granada and has become a “standard” in music repertoire.

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Opera

Highlights for Opera

Excavation for WRAL Opera Auditorium

Elon College Honors Mr. A.J. Fletcher 1987

Opera auditorium excavation 1965

National Opera Company La Calunnia from The Barber of Seville

The National Opera Company performs Granada