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Marty Erzinger, the Denver-area philanthropist and patron of the arts, has announced a corporate sponsorship of Central City Opera’s 2020 “Le Petit” L’Esprit de Noël Holiday Home Tour, taking place virtually for the first time in 44 years from the Fisher Mansion in Denver, Colorado.
This generous sponsorship comes at a time when Central City Opera (CCO) and its volunteer-led Guild have had to pivot its operations in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a development that has forced a shift from lively, in-person events, galas, and concerts to virtual, online ones. Historically, CCO has facilitated its signature fundraising events in person with home tours, art exhibitions, and festivals–all of which have become Denver traditions.
Now, however, Central City Opera has had to adapt to a new paradigm of social distancing while still working passionately to preserve and promote the arts in Colorado.
A long-time supporter of Central City Opera and the performing arts scene in Colorado, Martin ‘Marty’ Erzinger and his wife Suzie, former president of the CCO Guild, made the decision to go ‘all in’, opting for the ‘Presenting Sponsor’ contribution level. This sponsorship will help to finance the production and distribution of the Le Petit L’Esprit Holiday Home Tour video, which will showcase the historical significance of the William G. Fisher Mansion.
Marty and Suzie Erzinger’s charitable contribution to the Central City Opera Guild is being proffered under the auspices of Sanctuary Advisors, wealth management, and investment services provider of which Marty is a founding member.
The L’Esprit de Noël Holiday Home Tour is the 44th annual fundraising event for the Central City Opera Guild, and it’s the only fundraiser held throughout the year.
When the Coronavirus pandemic began to take hold earlier this year, the Guild had a tough decision to make: did they nix the fundraiser altogether, or did they adapt by moving everything online? It was decided that they would produce a professional video tour this year, and fortunately, the owners of the William G. Fisher mansion said yes to this novel idea.
Named “Le Petit” L’Esprit this year due to its downsized offerings, the Home Tour features the historic Fisher Mansion, originally built in 1896, and will be available online from November 22nd through Christmas Day. Normally, the walking tour is held over two days the weekend before Thanksgiving, with help from dozens of volunteers. While tickets to the event have been sold in the past ($30 for five homes), the video will be free with a request for donations from season ticket holders, the CCO board, and other patrons of the arts in Colorado.
Because the CCO Guild is 100% volunteer-based, these donations mean the world to the organization. And, with the support from Martin J. and Suzie Erzinger, Central City Opera is hoping to raise more money than they might have anticipated because the video’s availability will be extended throughout the month of December 2020.
In making his announcement of this sponsorship, Marty Erzinger had this to say:
“My wife Suzie and I have been active supporters of the Central City Opera Guild for years, and our hearts were broken when we learned that the annual home tour fundraiser might not happen this year. We wanted to do all we could to keep this Denver tradition alive, and I’m grateful that we’re in a position to help in this way. We’re all looking forward to a fun, festive tour in November—we’re beyond excited to see the final video!”
Learn more about the 2020 Le Petit L’Esprit de Noël Holiday Home Tour at lesprithometour.com and Central City Opera at centralcityopera.org.
